Remove a Color (Green Screen)

In this lesson, you will use the Remove a Color effect to remove a green screen background. This can help you create customizable backgrounds for your subject.

Removing a Green Screen

The short tutorial below provides a step-by-step process of removing a green screen.

The Guide: Remove a Color

The Toolbar

Step 1: Refer to the toolbar located on the left-hand side and select the Visual Effects button. From here, you will be presented with various options to add effects to videos or graphics.
Step 2: Choose the Remove a Color option and drag it to the video. Remember, the video should be placed on track two. The background image should be placed in track one because it will be behind your subject.

The Properties

Step 3: Once the effect is activated, refer to the properties section on the right-hand side. At the bottom, you will find the Remove a Color section with a color drop-down menu and four bars.

The Eye dropper

Step 4: Use the eye dropper to select the green next to your subject. Once the green has been pulled out, your subject may need adjustments.

Refer to the section below to learn the meaning of each term.

Color Remover Terminology

Removing the green screen may also needs adjustments in four categories:

The tolerance affects the tints and hues of the color
The softness helps smooth out the pixels around your subject
The defringe helps remove the color that has been leftover
The hue helps you adjust your subject to the background you have chosen to replace the green screen

Control or command Z is your friend!

Use command or control Z to erase the edits if you ever cut out pieces or make any changes you want to undo.

Practice Exercise

Now that you have watched the tutorial on removing a green screen try practicing on a sample video. Select the popout symbol found in the upper right-hand corner of the video below. Once a new page is open, download the sample video and practice replacing the green backdrop with an image of your choice. When you are done editing, export your video as a local file and submit the MP4 to this Dropbox.

If you do not have a Camtasia license, below is a link to a free version.

Camtasia Free Trial

Sample Green Screen 2.mp4

References

Baker, L. (2022, April 12). Everything You Need to Know About Chroma Key and Green Screen Footage. PremiumBeat. Retrieved March 11, 2023, from https://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/chroma-key-green-screen-guide/

Video Companion: Remove a Color. (n.d.). TechSmith. Retrieved March 26, 2023, from https://assets.techsmith.com/Downloads/ua-tutorials-camtasiaMac-02/Remove_a_Color_Video_Companion.pdf

Graphics: Canva

The Camtasia Collection

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