Archive notice: This article was originally published on May 1, 2017. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
When comparing Primatte Keyer with other keying filters, the first thing that stands out is the ability to sample the background color with a brush (or alternatively a marquee tool) and clean both foreground and background with these tools. While other manufacturers rely only on controls and values here, Primatte Keyer users can click directly with the mouse in problematic areas to add or subtract chrominance and luminance, depending on the current mode. Further editing options include spill removal, adjustment of the mask size and its blurring.
Alongside the standard tools, Primatte Keyer also contains settings for compositing with an external background, allowing users, for example, to transfer the color scheme, enter tolerances or set highlights. Likewise, the filter includes an integrated Light Wrap for transferring the brightness of the background to the edges of the foreground mask, which with other keyers is often possible only through additional plug-ins.
Also included in the collection, though not necessarily always required, are the Key Correct filters, which enable the mask to be cleaned up and provide their own Light Wrap, a Spill Killer and various tools for removing wires or noise. A Rack Focus for realistic camera depth of field can also be found here. The overall package is rounded off by the previously mentioned “Warp” package for corner pinning and glow effects.
Buying a keying suite for 800 US dollars is certainly not a cheap undertaking, especially since After Effects already supplies a very good chroma keyer with Keylight LE. Anyone who wants to achieve truly professional results within an effective timeframe, however, should try Primatte Keyer, especially if the greenscreen footage is not optimally lit. With the additional Key Correct and Warp collections, the package also contains a number of helpful tools that can sometimes optimize the final result decisively. Unfortunately, and really unnecessarily, the keying collection lacks a realistic shadow effect, which is included in other Red Giant packages.
Red Giant – Keying Suite 11
Professional chroma keyer with additional tools
Platform: Adobe After Effects
Full version: 8OO US dollars
Info: www.redgiant.com
