Multi-layer Keying in After Effects Part 1: Basic Keying

Andrew Devis

©2011 CreativeCOW.net. All rights reserved.

In this first of 4 tutorials on basic multi-layer keying in Adobe After Effects using Keylight 1.2, Andrew Devis starts by showing how and explaining why you might need a garbage matte for most keying work and what considerations are important for such a matte. Andrew then goes on to show how to pull a basic key and then modify that key to ensure that you don't over-smooth your end results, finally viewing the keyed footage with a bright image behind to test the key.

For this tutorial, Andrew is using freely available footage from www.hollywoodcamerawork.us

Comments

•

Re: Multi-layer Keying in After Effects Part 1: Basic Keying
by Camille Katz

This was really really cool! You're a Great teacher!! thanks a lot!

Camille

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Re: Multi-layer Keying in After Effects Part 1: Basic Keying
by Bryan Edwards

I really thought you did a fantastic job on this tutorial, Andrew. The thing that stood out to me was the details you emphasized. For example, I didn't think about the strands of her until I put one of my own images into the background of the matte. I couldn't see them. I did use a much darker image then yours. I went back into key light, and fixed the the black and white colors to match the details in her hair.

I was a bit nervous about matting. I really want to be a VFX artist after I finish school, and matting so far has been my biggest fear of doing good at. I feel much more confident after this tutorial. Thank you, Andrew!

•

@Bryan Edwards
by Andrew Devis

Hi Bryan

I'm really pleased you found the tutorials helpful, and I agree that perhaps the major worry is always what you don't know! That said, keep working on learning all you can and then putting it into practice so that it slowly becomes second nature to you because the truth is that employers aren't looking for perfection in the people they hire but that they have a good basic level of skill and are teachable as many studios will work in slightly different ways with different tools to achieve the same end results and they need people who will quickly learn their ways.

So, keep working on getting a good show reel together and just make sure it isn't a series of copied tutorials but as original and fun as you can make it.

All the best and thanks for the comment.
Andrew

... because it's all about stories ...

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Re: Multi-layer Keying in After Effects Part 1 - Pulling a Basic Key
by Andrew Devis

Thanks Stefani - very helpful to know :-)

... because it's all about stories ...

•

Re: Multi-layer Keying in After Effects Part 1 - Pulling a Basic Key
by Richard Cooper

Excellent, I was hoping that this was the case. Thank so much for answering so fast!
Will look forward to the next few days.
!

Richard Cooper
FrostLine Productions, LLC
Anchorage, Alaska
http://www.frostlineproductions.com

•

Re: Multi-layer Keying in After Effects Part 1 - Pulling a Basic Key
by Stefani Rice

Hello Richard and Andrew,

Thank you for your interest in Andrew's fascinating tutorial series. Yes, we do tend to stagger articles in a series to release as one per week, but this set will be published daily for four days over this week. Expect to see Part Two early tomorrow morning!

Best Regards,
Stefani Rice
Creative COW, LLC

•

Re: Multi-layer Keying in After Effects Part 1 - Pulling a Basic Key
by Andrew Devis

Hi Richard, all 4 tutorials are with Creative Cow, but they tend to stagger when they release them and I have no control over that. I would expect part two to be up within the week but if you need it earlier contact the Cow and they may be able to give you the next link early.

Hope that helps
Andrew

... because it's all about stories ...

•

Re: Multi-layer Keying in After Effects Part 1 - Pulling a Basic Key
by Richard Cooper

This would be great, if there were a Part Two...
Cant find it anywhere.. Is it still being produced?

Thanks

Richard Cooper
FrostLine Productions, LLC
Anchorage, Alaska
http://www.frostlineproductions.com

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