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O
orig
Participant
May 19, 2020
Answered

Ultra Key not selecting black background

  • May 19, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 38986 views

I have imported a simple video I'd like to remove the black background from. Screenshots attached.

I have a white background loaded behind the video which I can see when I crop the clip. 

I apply the Ultra Key, eye drop the black background, and set to 100% transparent and for some reason, it just removes patches around the flower, not the full black background.

 

I've tried:

- Not using multiple screens.

- Manually choosing black as a hex code

- I've played with all of the settings I can find under Ultra Key 

- Modify > Reinterpret the footage (oddly this wouldn't allow me to edit any alpha settings)

 

It's as though the black is already an alpha layer but not transparent for some reason. I purchased the clip from Vimeo so maybe it was compressed and that messed with the file?

 

Any ideas?

    Correct answer Graeme Bull

    Ultra key is more for green and blue screens, just use color key and set to black. If you need you can mask so you only affect the outer edge as your flower has black in it too.

    3 replies

    S
    Seekerami
    Participating Frequently
    July 7, 2020

    UPDATE TO ULTRA KEY PICKER PROBLEM.

    Stumbled on the fix. If you hold the Command and Option down at same time while you drag the Dropper around, you will see the color box reflect the dropper's color. Clicking locks the keying in and voilá the chroma disappears.

      yvonnalynn
      yvonnalynn
      Participant
      September 21, 2020

      WOW! thanks...

      Graeme Bull
      Community Expert
      Graeme BullCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      May 20, 2020

      Ultra key is more for green and blue screens, just use color key and set to black. If you need you can mask so you only affect the outer edge as your flower has black in it too.

        O
        origAuthor
        Participant
        May 20, 2020

        Thanks! Color Key definitely got me much closer:

        And then I used the Ultra Key matte settings to clean up the edge:

        Thanks for your help @Graeme_Bull and @NRGeorge.

        rachelcenter
        rachelcenter
        Legend
        June 14, 2025

        color key kind of works for gray but the fine details it struggles with

        cine24studio
        cine24studio
        Participating Frequently
        May 20, 2020

        Hi, yes I've had the same problem. For some reason, you can't Ultra Key the color black. It takes out some of it but it's not good enough. 

        Have you tried using Color Key?

        I've had better luck with Color Key effect for removing the color black. 

        Neil Georgecine24.studio
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