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charlotte_7736
December 11, 2025
Answered

Video with transparent background - Video in Photoshop and alpha channel.

  • December 11, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 436 views

Is there anyone who works with transparent backgrounds in Photoshop and video, where the background of the video should be transparent?

 

I have a video sequence downloaded from Stock (Green background) - where I can't get an alpha channel to work. I've tried both with video and with converting the video to a smart object. I've also tried with a video from Firefly - where I've added two video clips (Foreground video and alpha channel video) But I don't get the option to turn on the alpha channel.

How does this works? Please help me ...

Correct answer Conrad_C

There is no automatic or easy way to remove a green-screen background in video in Photoshop.

 

Both Adobe Premiere or Adobe After Effects have powerful, flexible green screen removal tools. Either would remove a green screen background much faster and more precisely than any tool in Photoshop.

 

However, if your Creative Cloud plan doesn’t include Premiere or After Effects, your post says you’re on a Mac so you could also remove green screen from video using a very simple tool in Apple iMovie, which is free with every Mac:

Change the background of a clip in iMovie

(scroll down to “Use the green-screen effect in iMovie on Mac”)

3 replies

Conrad_C
Community Expert
Conrad_CCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
December 17, 2025

There is no automatic or easy way to remove a green-screen background in video in Photoshop.

 

Both Adobe Premiere or Adobe After Effects have powerful, flexible green screen removal tools. Either would remove a green screen background much faster and more precisely than any tool in Photoshop.

 

However, if your Creative Cloud plan doesn’t include Premiere or After Effects, your post says you’re on a Mac so you could also remove green screen from video using a very simple tool in Apple iMovie, which is free with every Mac:

Change the background of a clip in iMovie

(scroll down to “Use the green-screen effect in iMovie on Mac”)

Srishti_Bali
Srishti_Bali
Legend
December 12, 2025

Hi @charlotte_7736

 

Thanks for reaching out! To understand what’s happening, could you share a few more details?

  • What is the format of the video you downloaded from Stock? (e.g., MOV, MP4, ProRes 4444, etc.)

  • Does the file actually include an embedded alpha channel, or is it just a green-screen clip that needs keying?

 

For most workflows involving transparent video or alpha-matte setups, After Effects is the best app to use, it gives full control over chroma keying, alpha channels, track mattes, and exporting with a proper alpha-supported codec.

 

 

Regards,

Srishti

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    charlotte_7736Author
    December 16, 2025

    Hi Srishti Bali - I've downloaded at .mov video from Adobe Stock with at green background. I've also tried to genere a video from Adobe Firefly - a got to files. I can't make it function either of them. I've have deleted each green frame manual - but thats a bit time consuming. Is there a other way within Photoshop?

    A
    Community Manager
    AlekeCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    December 16, 2025

    Hi @charlotte_7736, thanks for your question!
    Photoshop does have some basic video editing features, but it’s generally not the best tool for editing videos. You’ll likely get better results using apps designed for video work, like After Effects or Premiere Pro.
    That said, some users have shared workarounds for green-screening videos in Photoshop. You can check out their tips here:
    https://adobe.ly/4p00mFw
    Hope this helps!
    Alek

    *(If you mention me with an @, like @Aleke, I’ll get a notification and can respond faster.)*
    Myra Ferguson
    Community Expert
    Myra FergusonCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 11, 2025

    In the Render Video dialog, try changing the Format from H.264 to QuickTime. QuickTime supports alpha channels whereas H.264 does not.

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      charlotte_7736Author
      December 12, 2025

      Hi Myra, 

      Thanks for the answer. I have a problem with the video that I have placed in my Photoshop document - which I want to use with a transparent background, in a layer in my timeline. So it's not in the export of the video. Do you know how to work with alpha channels, for example, from finished Adobe Stock videos in Photoshop? Thanks for your time 🙂

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