Dec 21, 2018 Another free screen recording software for Mac is Jing by Techsmith that has been very popular on the market for a long time. This program is very simple and easy to use that are the pillars of its popularity. It comes with a movable sun icon that can be placed anywhere on your display, which enables you to easily utilize its function. Shotcut is another popular free and open source video editing software to be used as a green screen software. Using chroma key in Shotcut is really easy, because of its feature rich and easy to use work environment. It is cross-platform and available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. How To Replace Green Screen Background Using Shotcut. Jan 11, 2017 Method to change background is super easy in imovie as compared to any other software, it just take 4 or 5 clicks and you are done. Best 3 Free Green Screen Software for Win & Mac Users.
What is green screen software and are there any good Green Screen Video Editing softwares?
Green Screen video editing has become really common among professional video editors. This is because editing green screens let you make a video which looks more advanced and interesting to viewers. There are many video editors that can help you edit green screen, but it is not easy to pick up the best one among these options on the Internet because all of them are claiming that they can works well in green screen. However, the facts say NO.
See Also: Blue Screen vs Green Screen: Difference and Selection
Today, I have picked up 7 popular green screen video editor for Windows and Mac users. Some of them are freeware while others are paid software. You can compare them and decide which one is better according to your own needs.
Now, let's get started...
Recommended Chroma Key Software - Filmora Video Editor
In the process of finding the best software that make green screen video, I found Filmora Video Editor for Windows (or Filmora Video Editor for Mac) is arguably the best video editing software to create green screen videos in the market. it's super easy to use and also compatible with all video formats making it ideal for making green screen video with any videos.
Key Features of Filmora Video Editor:
- Various special effects including split screen, green screen, and face-off features are also available.
- It has over 3000 video effects that allows you to be more creative using themes on love, the internet and pets
- Great-looking animated titles can make your video stunning and special.
- It includes advanced editing power to Mac users with reverse playback, video stabilizer and pan and zoom features.
How to Make A Green Screen Video using Filmora Video Editor?
Step 1: Add video to the program
At first, please click the 'Import Media Files Here' option to import your videos (including green screen video) to this program. Instead, you can directly drag and drop them to Filmora Video Editor to save time.
Step 2: Edit green screen video
Add videos to the timeline with drag-and-drop method and please ensure the video or image with green screen background is placed on the top of the track. Then, right-click on the green screen image or video, and choose 'Green Screen'.
When the green screen editing panel is appeared, the green screen background have been removed from the image or video. Here, you can set the video's offset, tolerance, edge thickness, feature, etc. according to your own needs.
Step 3: Export the video
Finally, you can save the Green Screen video after clicking the 'Export' button. Here, you can also choose to upload the new-created green screen video to YouTube for sharing with your friends.
You might also want to know:
Top 6 Green Screen Software You Should Know [Free & Paid]
Green Screen For Mac
#1: iMovie
Easy To Use Green Screen Software For Mac Pro
Key Features:
iMovie also is a best green screen editor. It has got a number of amazing collection of tools that let you edit your videos in the perfect way. There is an iMovie Theater that will store the trailers and movies you created for you to view.
Price: $18.99 for Mac
Pros:
- It has got great templates.
Cons:
- It is only compatible with the Mac.
#2: Final Cut Pro
Key Features:
The key feature of Final Cut Pro is that it has got some very powerful media organization capability which lets you browse for videos easily.
Price: $299.99
Pros:
- It is an advanced software so it contains many sophisticated features
Cons:
- It is very expensive.
#3: Windows Movie Maker
Key Features:
Windows Movie Maker is a free green screen video software that lets you edit and add effects to your videos. It has a very user-friendly interface that gives you the opportunity to edit professionally.
Price: Free
Green Screen Software For Photos
Pros:
- It is free.
Cons:
- It can only be used on Windows.
#4: AVS Video Editor
Key Features:
AVS Video Editor is another video editing software that lets you trim, cut, split, rotate or merge your video clips. You can also use it to edit green screen video.
Price: $59 for unlimited access and $39 for one year access
Pros:
- The software supports a great deal of file formats.
Cons:
- It cannot be used on a Mac.
#5: Sony Vegas Pro
Key Features:
Sony Vegas Pro is a professional software for advanced editing. With this editor, you can convert any file format to any other.
Price: £393.95
Pros:
- Sony Vegas Pro has got many advanced features.
Cons:
- Does not have Mac Support.
#6: Virtual Dub
Key Features:
Virtual Dub is a basic video editing software that lets you add effects and perform basic functions on your videos.
Price: Free
Pros:
- Easy to use.
Cons:
- Does not have many advanced feature.
Conclusion
There are 7 different green screen software for your reference, which one are you ready to try first?
Or if you have any other better options want to share with us? Just leave a comment in the below section.
By the way, if you can't make a decision, you can start the green screen video journey from the editor's pick - Filmora Video Editor or Filmora Video Editor for Mac.
I'm sure this program can satisfy almost all user's green screen and other video editing needs.
Below are the free trial version for your reference.
Related Articles & Tips
Hollywood studios use green screen to create all kinds of incredible special effects. Your local weatherperson uses it to look like they’re standing in front of a cool weather map.
But you don’t have to be a big-shot movie director or even a local TV station to enjoy the many benefits green screen (or, as it’s technically called — chroma key) offers.
In fact, all you need to make a professional-quality green screen video is a smartphone or webcam, some fabric, good video editing software, and a little know-how.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves here. Before we get started on the how, let’s talk about the what and why.
What exactly is a green screen, and why would you ever want to use a green screen effect in your video?
What is green screen?
Using green screen in video replaces the background of a video with a digital or virtual background. It offers the most natural-looking way to integrate your subject into your video.
Instead of putting each visual element in its own frame (a la picture-in-picture), green screen lets you blend them. In fact, done correctly, you would never suspect they were two separate video streams.
In the most technical terms, green screen, blue screen, chroma key, chroma key compositing all refer to the same idea. Regardless of what you call it, it’s a post-production technique for compositing (layering) two images or video streams together based on color hues (chroma range).
In layperson’s terms, it’s superimposing one image or video stream over another so it looks like one image or stream.
Newscasting, motion picture, and video game industries love this technique, but anyone can use the green screen effect.
Given the current working conditions of most people during the global pandemic, it’s a safe bet you’ve had a Zoom meeting or two with coworkers or others who’ve had cool virtual backgrounds. Green screen is really the same concept, but will typically provide a more professional result.
Green screen has come a long way since Lawrence Butler won an academy award for his special effects in the 1940 film The Thief of Bagdad.
Back then, the process was quite complex. Adding green screen required a lot of time and highly specialized equipment.
Now, you can easily do it in the comfort of your own home with minimal equipment and technical skills.
Make professional-quality videos — no pro skills required!
Download a free trial of Camtasia and see how easy it can be to create amazing videos.
Why use green screen?
As noted above, you’ve likely seen a meteorologist use a green screen to report the weather. Meteorologists stand in front of the green screen point out specific parts of the forecast. But the green screen does more than provide clarity. It also allows them to personalize their broadcast and connect to their viewers.
Although you may not be detailing cold fronts from your desk, I’d bet you still have opportunities to connect with an audience at work. A green screen is a great option for adding a personal touch to lots of different types of videos.
Consider using it the next time you need to:
Chroma key (remember, that’s green screen’s “technical name”) is a big deal for anyone who needs to connect with viewers. When done well, a green screen can give your video a professional aesthetic on the cheap.Create an online training video by superimposing yourself over all or just part of the lesson. This is an instant upgrade over talking through a PowerPoint presentation — and it’s way more impressive than just doing picture-in-picture with your webcam.
Whether you want to make it look like you (or your video subject) is on the moon or an African safari — or you just want to obscure the drab or uninspiring walls of your office or home studio, green screen makes it easy.
And, you don’t need to build a fancy set or rent studio time. You can shoot your video anywhere and replace the background with a branded graphic, stock photo, or video element.
In fact, TechSmith Assets for Camtasia offers a huge library of potential backgrounds you can use!
How to create your own green screen background
To pull off this technique, all you need is a few things: A green or blue piece of cloth/fabric, a camera, lights, and some video editing software.
Step 1: Get a backdrop
First, get a piece of muslin cloth that’s a bright shade of green.
Avoid a color that matches your skin tone so you don’t blend into your background.
Blue screen backdrops are also available, but they can cause problems if the person on camera has blue eyes or clothes. If you don’t want to mess around with hanging a cloth, a collapsible green screen panel is a nice option.
This example from Amazon includes both a green and blue collapsible screen.
Since it’s not too big (5′ x 7′), it’s perfect for when you need to travel for a shoot. We’ll discuss shadows and more when we get into lighting. But for now, remember to stand as close to the backdrop as you can without casting a shadow on it. This is usually around two or three feet. Also, make sure to keep your hands close to your body. Any part of your arm or hand that extends past the backdrop will look cut off in your final video.
Step 2: Pick your camera
Next, you’ll want to pick a camera or webcam that shoots HD quality video (720p or higher) at a decent frame rate (24 fps or above). Make sure your camera saves out files in a format your green screen software can import. We’ve had good success using an iPhone, but most any digital camcorder will work.
No matter what camera you choose, Camtasia makes it easy to import your video and make your edits.
When you’re just starting out, recording footage on your smartphone might seem daunting. We’ve put together some tips and advice for shooting videos on your mobile device. We cover everything you need to know about audio, shot composition, and lighting.
Step 3: Set up your lighting
The next step is optional but recommended. It may take a little trial and error to get it right, but you’ll love the results.
Shadows can be the enemy of great green screen video, so you want to be sure your background is as well-lit as possible. Use a flat green background. The flatter the green, the easier it will be to remove the screen.
Don’t worry too much about getting a perfectly lit set, though. The Remove a Color effect in Camtasia is quite forgiving of background shadows. Spend a few minutes tweaking the settings and you should be good.
More advanced lighting for green screen
If you’re having trouble getting the background to disappear or there’s a slight halo around the person, try to upgrade your lighting. The more even your lighting, the better the effect will be.
The easiest thing to try is a couple of hardware store clamp-on work lights with high-output LED bulbs. You’ll also need something to clamp them on. Aim the lights so that the green screen doesn’t have dark areas or bright areas. Focus your efforts on the area directly behind the person you’re shooting. You’ll be able to crop out the excess space later.
To throw a lot of light, you need a few bulbs in each fixture. You could build your own video lighting rig for less than $100 (see video below). Or if you’re not into DIY projects, you can shop around for a video softbox. CowboyStudio is a good place to start. Look for “continuous lighting” as opposed to flash or strobe lighting.
Whether you buy or build, it’s best to use a diffusion filter for each light. That will help keep your lights from throwing shadows.
This quick video shows you how to build your own lighting kit on the cheap.
(You can also get a few tips of the trade for making your subjects look more natural.)
Not seeing the video? Watch it on YouTube…
Step 4: Get the right software
In the Camtasia video editor, you can remove your green screen with just a few clicks. In fact, Camtasia 2020 makes it easier than ever to create professional-quality videos — no pro skills required.
From easy-to-use and share video templates and themes to a wide variety of assets and resources to help you on your way, Camtasia 2020 takes the guesswork out of video creation and puts you and your team at ease.
Anyone can make a green screen video
Green screen video may seem intimidating and difficult, but with the right tools and a few tips and tricks, anyone can master this useful technique. Whether you’re making videos for 5 or 5,000 people, they’ll be amazed at the professional quality and engaging experience green screen provides.
Make professional-quality videos — no pro skills required!
Download a free trial of Camtasia and see how easy it can be to create amazing videos.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in May 2012 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Related Posts: