How to Remove a Green Screen in After Effects

Removing a green screen in After Effects is quick and easy with the Keylight effect. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to key out the green background and clean up the remaining green edges around your subject.

How to Remove a Green Screen in After Effects

To remove a green screen in After Effects, import your green-screen footage and add it to a composition. Apply the Keylight (1.2) effect, change the Screen Colour to the green background, and adjust the settings until the green screen is removed and the result looks clean.

Step 1: Import Your Green Screen Footage

Import your green screen footage into After Effects and drag it into a new composition.

Step 2: Apply the Keylight Effect

Open the Effects & Presets panel and search for Keylight. Drag the Keylight (1.2) effect onto your green screen footage.

Step 3: Select the Green Screen

Open the Effect Controls panel. Under the Keylight effect, click the eyedropper beside Screen Colour, then click the green background in your footage.

Step 4: Adjust the Settings

Adjust the Keylight settings until the green background is completely removed and the edges around your subject look clean. The ideal settings will depend on your footage and how evenly the green screen was lit.