Chroma Mask

This software

• Removes a green, blue or red background automatically while shooting
• Removes colored reflections caused by the background and recovers the original color of the subject with our special color spill correction
• Enables easy adjustment of the mask in edge mode
• Supports 3D LUT for color grading the subject (e.g. to match the background)
• Saves the background image along with the 3D LUT as a "theme"
• Can blur the background image
• Automatically detect, load and mask new images for tethered shootings

Remove background automatically during the photography process

Chroma Mask is THE software for masking and cropping using Chroma Key. It can automatically mask and crop the subject already while shooting and display the cropped subject in front of a new background. You can save color corrections along with a background as a "theme" so spontaneous motto-shoots are always possible. Besides using the popular green and blue background for masking Chroma Key also lets you key using the red channel. This is usually avoided in people photography since skin tones are rich in reds but it can be a great solution for shooting products that feature a lot of blue or green.

Chroma Keying or background or masking with backlight?

Compared with our masking software Mask Integrator, Chroma Mask has advantages as well as disadvantages. It is therefore advisable to carefully choose between those two applications.

Chroma Keys' advantages over masking with backlight

• The image containing the subject is also the image used for the cut out mask using the color channel. A fast moving subject or blowing hair presents no problem.
• By using a colored infinity cove it is very easy to mask subjects from top to bottom.
• Shadows cast by the subject can be transferred to the new background by using a lighter compression of the tone values.

Chroma Keys' disadvantages compared to masking with backlight

• Extremely fine details like fur or hair can be masked better using backlight photography.
• A backlit image usually has a better contrast than a single color channel and therefore allows for softer transitions at the edges or when using semi-transparent materials.

Preferred applications for Chroma Mask:

• Shooting a subject for another background (compositing)
• Motto Shoots
• Photo Booth
• Product Photography

How does the Pro version differ?

Chroma Mask is also part of our product photography systems. In these systems, Chroma Mask can be controlled externally via our Serial Shot control software and can also return metadata and other information to Serial Shot, e.g. when a cropping process is complete. All communication features between Chroma Mask and other Picture Instruments software are reserved for the Pro version. In addition, both versions offer the same range of functions.

A license for version 1 equals the Basic option of version 2. It can be upgraded to the Pro-Version by purchasing the upgrade.