Using this one effect in Adobe After Effects can really shave time off your editing process.
I have a client that sends me tons of images to create motion graphics. The issue is that the PNGs files are not transparent. When I first started I would just use the pen tool or lasso and cut the products out of the background. This quickly got annoying and ate up more time than I liked. I produce 65 videos per year for them. I need to save as much time as possible. So, how do we speed up this process?
Import Your Image to Adobe After Effects
Our first step is as easy as it is obvious. Lets open up Adobe After Effects > Start a New Composition > Then drag and drop your image into the comp.
Find "Color Range" in "Effects & Presets"
In the "Effects & Presets" tab type in, "Color Range". You will also find it under the "Keying" drop down menu. Once you find the effect, drag and drop it onto your image.
Looking for professional and affordable video editing services? Look no further! Check out my Fiverr account for high-quality video editing that will take your content to the next level. Don't settle for mediocre videos - let me help you create something amazing today! Click now to see my portfolio and let's get started.
Sometimes you'll see a change in your image. This is normal. It won't change our outcome.
Select the Color You want to remove
Go to your "Effect Controls" box and find the "Color Range" effect. It's usually open by default. In this box you'll see three different eye droppers. We want to the top eye dropper. With the eye dropper, select the color you need removed from the image.
This tool works best if you have flat colors. Shadows can make this process just as difficult.
Clean Up with the Pen Tool
Like I said, shadows can be a killer with this tool. In my experiance there is usually still some background left over. If this is the case for you as well, use the Pen tool to mask out the rest.
BOOM! Ya DONE
Hopefully this little tool can help you in some way or another. By following these simple steps, you can speed up the process of removing backgrounds from your images in Adobe After Effects. This technique works best with flat colors, and with a little touch-up using the Pen tool, you'll have perfectly cut-out images ready for your motion graphics projects. Save time and effort by implementing this handy trick, and watch your productivity soar! If you found this guide helpful, don't forget to share it with your fellow motion graphics creators and subscribe to our newsletter for more time-saving tips and tricks!