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Jerron Smith/3 min read

Matching Colors when Keying

After Effects Workflow

1

Set Up the Comp

Composition → New Composition — match output spec (size, fps, length).

2

Build the Scene

Import assets, lay out layers, set initial poses.

3

Animate with Keyframes

Set values at start and end times — AE tweens between.

4

Render or Export

Render Queue for ProRes/quicktime, Media Encoder for H.264.

Master After Effects at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop's Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificate teaches After Effects alongside Premiere Pro and Cinema 4D.

Learn to master color correction techniques in After Effects with this detailed tutorial, covering topics such as compositing, applying a color look, and using the Lumetri Color Effect.

Topics Covered in This After Effects Tutorial:

Compositing, Applying a Color Look, Lumetri Color Effect

Exercise Preview

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Exercise Overview

In this exercise you’ll adjust the colors of your foreground video to match the background.

Previewing the Final Video

  1. Let’s see a preview of what you’ll be making. If you’re in After Effects, keep it open but switch to your Desktop.
  2. On the Desktop, navigate to Class Files > After Effects Advanced Class> Greenscreen Removal > Preview Movie and double–click Woman Talking on the Phone.mp4.

  3. Notice the following:

    • This video is composed of two videos that have been composited together.

  4. Replay the video if you need to, and close it when done.

Setting up the Workspace

  1. In After Effects, go to Window > Workspace > Standard.

  2. Choose Window > Workspace > Reset “Standard” to Saved Layout.

  3. If the After Effects window does not fill the screen, maximize it:

    Mac: At the top left of the window, click the green button (the third button).
    Windows: At to the top right of the window, click the Maximize button (the middle button).

Getting Started

  1. In After Effects, if you have a project open, choose File > Save.

  2. Choose File > Open Project and:

    • Navigate to Desktop > Class Files > After Effects Advanced Class > Greenscreen Removal > Finished Projects.
    • Double–click on Greenscreen Removal—Keyed.aep to open it.

  3. Choose File > Save As > Save As and:

    • Name the file Your Name—Greenscreen.aep and
    • Save it into Desktop > Class Files > After Effects Advanced Class> Greenscreen Removal.

Adjusting Color and Tone with Tint

The foreground and background elements in a composite are almost always created with completely different cameras and lighting conditions, or sometimes you may be combining live–action footage with computer generated imagery. Making a couple of quick tonal adjustments can help hold the composition togther.

  1. Add an Adjustment Layer above the background layer in your composition by choosing Layer > New > Adjustment Layer.

  2. Add the Gaussian Blur effect to the adjustment layer.

  3. Raise the Blurriness property until the background color merge together leaving you with what looks like dark and light smudges.

  4. Add the Tint effect to your foreground layer.

  5. Activate the Tint effects black pipette (eye dropper) and click on the darkest area in the background layer.

  6. Activate the Tint effects white pipette (eye dropper) and click on the darkest area in the background layer.

  7. Delete the Gaussian Blur effect from the Adjustment layer.

Applying a Color Look to Hold It All Together

Even with color correction sometimes the differences between composite layers is still noticeable. A color look can be used to blend the layers together and stylize the look of the comp.

  1. In the Timeline panel, move the adjustment layer to the top of the layer stack and rename it Color Grade.

  2. Add the Lumetri Color effect to the adjustment layer.

  3. In the Effect Controls panel locate the Creative group of the color effect.

  4. Choose the look you want to apply from the Look menu.

    NOTE: You can use the Browse option in the Look menu to load your own custom look file.

  5. Save your file.