Mac green screen software at DVinfo.net

John M. McCloskey · August 14th, 2006, 10:00 AM

Since Serious Magic Ultra doesnt work with Mac OS, what would be the best green screen software to use in conjunction with a Avid adrenaline running Mac OS 10.4.7. We have used ZMatte but is there any other software that may be better. Thanks

Christo Aaron · August 14th, 2006, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John M. McCloskey

Since Serious Magic Ultra doesnt work with Mac OS, what would be the best green screen software to use in conjunction with a Avid adrenaline running Mac OS 10.4.7. We have used ZMatte but is there any other software that may be better. Thanks

Hello John,
I'm using Combustion 3 on Win OS, but I believe somebody told me you can run it on Mac by installing the "Bootcamp" Apple software. All your Win programs then can be run on Mac. Good Luck!
Cheers,
Christo

Glenn Chan · August 14th, 2006, 01:50 PM

Shake should come bundled with Primatte, which is a pretty good keyer.

Gabriel Yeager · August 14th, 2006, 02:41 PM

I use IMovie HD. All you have to do is search on google for, "IMovie green screen plugin" and it should come up. I think you'll have to pay for it tho. Unless you want to use a blue screen. I have a blue screen plugin' that I got for free from the web.

I hope I helped!
~Gabriel~

Nate Schmidt · August 14th, 2006, 04:57 PM

If you have motion it comes with primatte keyer as well or you can buy dv matte blast which runs in real time (depending on computer of course ;-) or for a little more dv matte pro, both or these are plugins blast is for motion and pro if for FCP and possible After Effects. As was mentioned before if you have an intel mac you can use boot camp to install XP and then run Ultra from there.

Dave Perry · August 14th, 2006, 05:10 PM

Don't forget, FCP has a built in chroma keyer. I think maybe you are looking for a virtual set builder like Ultra? Not sure what there is to compare to it. Maybe Maya?

Chris Hocking · August 15th, 2006, 08:09 AM

Dave, the original post mentioned using Avid, therefore I guess that cuts Final Cut Pro out. But if you do have Final Cut Studio John, both Motion and Final Cut Pro will give you great results if you spend a bit of time "tweaking".

I would suggest either After Effects or Shake; both will give you fantastic results. Of course, garbage in - garbage out! Although I'm relatively new to it, I prefer Shake over After Effects for keying. But I guess it comes down to personal preference as their both very powerful tools. Both packages have several different plug-ins/tools that can pull keys. You can also purchase 3rd Party Plug-ins for After Effects should you feel the need.

I wouldn't bother trying to run a Windows-based program via bootcamp. It'll just waste time. In the end it will be cheaper just to purchase either Shake or After Effects.

August 14th, 2006, 10:00 AM	#1
John M. McCloskey Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: West Point, MS Posts: 313	Mac green screen software Since Serious Magic Ultra doesnt work with Mac OS, what would be the best green screen software to use in conjunction with a Avid adrenaline running Mac OS 10.4.7. We have used ZMatte but is there any other software that may be better. Thanks

August 14th, 2006, 04:57 PM	#5
Nate Schmidt Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Welland ON Posts: 515	If you have motion it comes with primatte keyer as well or you can buy dv matte blast which runs in real time (depending on computer of course ;-) or for a little more dv matte pro, both or these are plugins blast is for motion and pro if for FCP and possible After Effects. As was mentioned before if you have an intel mac you can use boot camp to install XP and then run Ultra from there. __________________ "We've done the impossible, and that makes us mighty."

August 14th, 2006, 05:10 PM	#6
Dave Perry Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 796	Don't forget, FCP has a built in chroma keyer. I think maybe you are looking for a virtual set builder like Ultra? Not sure what there is to compare to it. Maybe Maya? __________________ Dave Perry Cinematographer LLC Director of Photography • Editor • Digital Film Production • 540.915.2752 • daveperry.net

August 14th, 2006, 01:50 PM	#3
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	Shake should come bundled with Primatte, which is a pretty good keyer.

August 14th, 2006, 02:41 PM	#4
Gabriel Yeager Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Washington, NorthWest USA Posts: 788	I use IMovie HD. All you have to do is search on google for, "IMovie green screen plugin" and it should come up. I think you'll have to pay for it tho. Unless you want to use a blue screen. I have a blue screen plugin' that I got for free from the web. I hope I helped! ~Gabriel~

August 15th, 2006, 08:09 AM	#7
Chris Hocking Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 595	Dave, the original post mentioned using Avid, therefore I guess that cuts Final Cut Pro out. But if you do have Final Cut Studio John, both Motion and Final Cut Pro will give you great results if you spend a bit of time "tweaking". I would suggest either After Effects or Shake; both will give you fantastic results. Of course, garbage in - garbage out! Although I'm relatively new to it, I prefer Shake over After Effects for keying. But I guess it comes down to personal preference as their both very powerful tools. Both packages have several different plug-ins/tools that can pull keys. You can also purchase 3rd Party Plug-ins for After Effects should you feel the need. I wouldn't bother trying to run a Windows-based program via bootcamp. It'll just waste time. In the end it will be cheaper just to purchase either Shake or After Effects.