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How to remove the background from a video

Separate a person from the background in one click, or key out a green screen with Remove by color. Steps, limits and tips for both.

There are two ways to remove a background, and which one you use depends on how you shot. If you filmed in an ordinary room, Remove background does the job. If you filmed in front of a green or blue screen, Remove by color is faster and cleaner. Both run on your computer.

Way 1: No screen, one click

  1. Put your video or photo on the timeline and select the clip.
  2. In the right panel open the Video tab, then the Remove background sub-tab.
  3. Pick one of the options: Person, Close-up or Object, product. Choose Off to go back.
  4. Once you pick, a copy with the background removed is prepared in the background; watch the preview when it’s done. The result is transparent, so you can place another clip, colour or image behind it.
  5. If you want nothing behind, leave it transparent.

Good to know:

  • The person and portrait options are quick on most shots. In video, the Object, product option needs a graphics card and is slow; you’re told how long it will take beforehand.
  • Object, product needs an extra file, downloaded once with the Download button the first time you use it.
  • Loose hair, semi-transparent objects and clothes the same colour as the background are the hardest parts. Zoom in and check the result.

The same tool works on photos. See the Background feature page.

Way 2: Green or blue screen

If you shot in front of a screen, removing by colour gives a firmer result.

  1. Select the clip and go to the Remove by color (green screen) section in the same Video tab’s Remove background sub-tab.
  2. Switch on Remove by color and choose green or blue.
  3. If the colour isn’t quite right, press Pick color from the preview (the eyedropper) and click the green you want removed in the preview. For the best result, switch it off first, pick the colour, then switch it on.
  4. Intensity sets how much of that colour becomes transparent.
  5. Remove color spill reduces the green reflected onto hair and edges.
  6. Edge softness keeps the edge from looking harsh.

The chosen colour becomes transparent and the tracks underneath show through. So the new background goes on a track below the green-screen clip.

Shooting tips for a clean result

  • Keep the screen smooth and taut; wrinkles and shadows create colour differences.
  • Stand the person a little way from the screen to cut reflections.
  • Don’t wear the same colour as the screen.
  • Light the screen and the person separately.
  • Light the screen evenly; dark and bright patches make the colour harder to remove.

FAQ

Do I need a green screen? No. Remove background works on shots without one. If you have a screen, Remove by color gives cleaner edges.

Is there a watermark? No. Weditra puts no watermark on anything.

Does the video go online? No. Everything is processed on your computer.

What if the result isn’t perfect? Automatic tools can be wrong. If edges are a problem, adjust intensity and edge softness, and try a different background for difficult shots.

To get Weditra, see the Download page; the Windows version is in the works.

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