Learning to remove green screen in After Effects can open up creative possibilities for your video projects. Green screen removal, also known as chroma keying, lets you replace any green background with stunning visuals, exotic locations, or animations. Adobe After Effects offers a straightforward process that is accessible to even beginners.
With the proper techniques, you can achieve the best results that seamlessly blend your subject with any chosen background. This guide will walk you through every step, providing clear instructions to master green screen removal in After Effects.
In this article
Part 1: How to Remove Green Screen in After Effects: Step-by-Step
Learning how to remove the green screen in After Effects may be tricky for new users. To make it a little easier to understand, here is the step-by-step guide:

Step 1: On the homepage, click on "New File."

Step 2: After uploading the image, click "Effects & Presets" on the right-hand side.

Step 3: Under "Effects & Presets," search for "Keylights," and select “Keylight (1.2).”

Step 4: Under the "Keylight" section, use the "Eyedropper Tool" to change the background color from green to black or another color, and then download the file.

Part 2: Tips for Better Green Screen Removal in After Effects
These essential tips will help you remove the green screen in After Effects more effectively and achieve professional results:
Lighting Tips
- Ensure even lighting across your green screen to avoid shadows
- Keep your subject at least 3 feet away from the green screen
- Use soft, diffused lighting to minimize harsh shadows
Shooting Tips
- Choose a high-quality green screen with minimal wrinkles
- Avoid wearing green clothing or accessories
- Shoot in the highest resolution possible for better keying
Technical Tips
- Use the "View" dropdown in Keylight to check your matte quality
- Apply the "Spill Suppressor" effect to remove green reflections on your subject
- Consider using the "Refine Matte" effect for complex edges like hair
Color Correction Tips
- Match the lighting temperature between your subject and background
- Adjust shadows and highlights to blend naturally
- Use color correction to remove any remaining green tint
Part 3: Best Alternative to Remove Green Screen Using AI
While After Effects is the best tool to remove green screen from videos for professional-level results, it is a costly and resource-intensive tool that can slow down your system. In this case, having another option that is easier to use and offers batch processing is crucial.
Wondershare UniConverter
Wondershare UniConverter's Video BG Remover is extremely convenient, supports batch video processing, and delivers high-quality results with just one click. You only need to upload the file, and the rest will be done within a few seconds. It also lets you add solid colors or images as a new background, or keep it simple without any background at all. What truly makes it a comprehensive tool is that it also lets you remove the green screen from the image.

Key Features
- It offers a watermark remover and editor to add or remove the watermark from videos and images.
- With its smart trimmer, you can remove the silent part from the video.
- Besides video editing, it also allows you to remove the green screen from multiple images using the background remover.
- It also offers a noise remover and a voice changer, which can be useful when editing videos.

Best Video Green Screen Remover
How to Remove Green Screen from Video Using Wondershare UniConverter:
Here is the step-by-step guide to removing the green screen with one click:
Step 1: On the homepage, navigate to the "Video" option and then click the "AI Portrait" option to remove the green screen from the video.

Step 2: Click the "Import Files" option to upload the video; the upload process will take only a few seconds.

Step 3: On the right-hand side, you will see "Color Background." Click on the first option to remove the green screen from the video.

Step 4: If you want, you can add the images as a background by clicking the "Add Image" option. Once you have made the changes, click the "Export" button to save the video.

Part 4: How to Fix Common After Effects Green Screen Removal Issues
Green spills on the subject or rough edges are some common After Effects issues. Here are the details of each issue, along with solutions.
- Uneven Green Screen Removal: If your green screen has shadows or bright spots, the keying effect won't work well. Try to light your screen as evenly as possible, or use tools like Wondershare UniConverter to help smooth out rough edges.
- Green Spill on Your Subject: When you notice green reflections on your subject, apply the "Advanced Spill Suppressor" effect after Keylight and adjust the "Suppression" settings.
- Jagged or Rough Edges: For harsh edges around your subject, increase the "Screen Softness" in Keylight and fine-tune the "Clip Black" and "Clip White" values for smoother transitions.
- Hair and Fine Details Appear Poorly: Complex areas, such as hair, require the "Refine Matte" effect. Apply it after Keylight and adjust the "Smooth," "Feather," and "Choke" settings.
- Subject Appears Too Transparent: If your subject looks see-through, decrease the "Screen Gain" and adjust the "Screen Balance" to bring back opacity in the foreground elements.
To Sum Up
You now have everything you need to remove green screen in After Effects like a pro! From applying “Keylight” and fine-tuning your matte to fixing common issues like spill and rough edges, these techniques will help you create seamless composites. Remember to focus on proper lighting, take your time with edge refinement, and avoid rushing the keying process for optimal results.
If you're looking for a simpler alternative, Wondershare UniConverter offers one-click green screen removal with batch processing capabilities. Whether you choose After Effects for professional control or UniConverter for convenience, you're ready to change your videos. Start experimenting with these techniques today and bring your creative visions to life!