New user: How to delete distortions on chroma key green screen background (screenshots provided)

[SailorGuy]

I am experimenting with Chroma Key and I’ve looked at the video tutorials but I can’t eliminate distortions and patchy transparency. I tried both Auto and Color Picker setup modes with essentially the same (and unsatisfactory) results.

Also, my green screen background works flawlessly in Zoom. I’d like to get the same clear results with ManyCam.

This forum does not allow PDF file uploads, so here are the steps I followed with associated screenshots.

Thanks for any assistance!

Sailor Guy

Goal: How to adjust chroma key (green screen) to have a solid, distortion-free background

My Environment:

• ManyCam for Windows Studio 7.1.1.0
• Microsoft LifeCam Cinema webcam
• Microsoft Windows 10 Version 1903 (Build 18362.720)
• Green screen background (muslin)

I made two attempts to setup chroma key… once with Auto setup and once with Color Picker manual setup.

Here are the step-by-step details…

Attempt #1: Creating a new Preset 1 and Auto setup…

I start with a new preset with my green screen background behind me.

( Look at Screenshot_01.png )

I enable Chroma Key with Auto selected and I get a basically black background with lots of “shimmery snow” distortion.

( Look at Screenshot_02.png )

When I add in a custom background from a JPG file, you can see the distortion.

( Look at Screenshot_03.png )

Any ideas how to correct this distortion?

Attempt #2: Then I try to use the Color Picker option…

( Look at Screenshot_04.png )

I enable Chroma Key, reset to get the green background and then I use the color picker to pick an area I know is green behind me…

( Look at Screenshot_05.png )

And I get a basically black background with “shimmery snow” distortion…

( Look at Screenshot_06.png )

I used the color picker to try and correct distorted areas, but I can’t correct everything. And notice the “transparency” of my brown chair and my hair.

( Look at Screenshot_07.png )

Any suggestions on what I’m doing wrong?

Thanks!!

Note: The screenshots are not displayed in sequential order below

Screenshot_01|690x387

!

[ieo]

Hi @SailorGuy,

It is better to have more light, but you can also use advanced settings. I’ve recorded a video with your setup. My steps:

1. Use color picker
2. Expand Advanced Settings
3. Switch to Algorithm: HSL (best for me)
4. Click on background and continue to click on holes and distortions. If it takes too much e.g. your eyes or hair, undone last pick using Ctrl+Z.
5. Use Shrink countour for fine tuning and small distortions.

[SailorGuy]

@ieo, Many Many ManyCam thanks! Your little tutorial taught me the skills and technique to properly adjust my chroma key background.

Look at the great results. And FYI, I have photo light umbrellas and I’m going to get brighter bulbs.

Thanks again!

SailorGuy

[roxywells]

Thank you so much. I have the same issue and will try this at once… Co

[chellbell]

Thank you all for this thread. It helped me to perfect my ManyCam Chroma Key settings. @ieo

[sonict]

@ieo I’m using the zoom virtual background with chroma key green and it works flawlessly. This should not take so much work and this is the only reason i bought this product (for apps other than zoom like google meet…) please make this easier.

[Meljan]

Yep I have the same issues. I spent all that money on studio lighting and green screen background and I get this wavy blue thing around my blond hair, or speckles in certain areas of my background. And my beige colored chair partially disappears. This feature is a joke. This happens regardless of whether I use color picker or auto. Same problem with ‘replace’ option. If I hold anything up to the camera that has been laminated, the student can’t see it because it becomes transparent. (and no most of the stuff I hold up has a white background with black writing). In fact most of my props get messed up with chroma key. I’m at the point that I just use my ‘physical’ green screen as my actual background coupled with a few little Dino effects in the corner of screen to look professional. But forget the instability of the chroma key feature. Very disappointing. I would like what I paid for.