Welcome to this tutorial on using the Chroma Key feature in Cloud Stop Motion to place your animated character into any world you like.

See the video that accompanies this article here: https://youtu.be/5KciRKH8bVg

Setting Up the Green Screen

  1. Start a new project in Cloud Stop Motion.

  2. Set up your camera with your character in front of a green background. You can use green foam, card, or paper—any material that provides an even color.

  3. Ideally add lighting to brighten the scene and make the green background as vibrant as possible.

  4. Ensure a strong contrast between your background and character.

  5. Make sure the background is a uniform color, avoiding shadows or bright spots. The background doesn’t have to be green, but green is usually the best choice.

Applying the Chroma Key Effect

Cloud Stop Motion offers two options for applying the green screen effect:

  • Apply the effect live while animating – This allows you to align your character with the background and see the results as you go.

  • Capture or import frames first, then apply the Chroma Key effect later.

This tutorial demonstrates applying the effect live and then adjusting it afterward.

Applying Chroma Key Live

  1. Click the Apply Chroma Key button to open the Chroma Key tab.



  2. Click Apply Automatic Chroma Key Settings while viewing the live webcam feed.

     

  3. Cloud Stop Motion will automatically select a background color and tolerance level.


  4. If your background has multiple shades, you can add multiple keys to remove them more effectively.

  5. Adjust settings manually if needed:

    • Click on the key color and use the eyedropper tool to pick a different background shade.



    • Use the tolerance slider to adjust how much of the background is removed.


    • Expand Advanced Settings to adjust:

      • Smoothness (softens character edges)



      • Spill (reduces background color reflection onto the character




  6. Disable individual keys by clicking on the toggle or remove an entire key using the cross icon.

  7. Add a new key using the plus icon.

Most of the time, the default settings provide good results, but you can refine them as needed.

Adding a Background Image

  1. In the timeline, you’ll see different video and audio tracks. By default, only one video track (capture track) exists.

  2. To add a new video track and  insert a clip click Add Background Clip.

     


  3. Choose an image from the library or upload one from your device. 
    Cloud Stop Motion includes a variety of backgrounds, including animated ones.

  4. The image is added on a new track below the capture track.
    Extend or move the background clip as needed by dragging its edges or repositioning it.

Adding a Foreground Layer

  1. Return to the capture track (marked with a camera icon).

  2. Open the Green Screening tab and click Add Foreground Clip.




  3. Choose an image from the library. These images contain transparent sections that allow visibility of layers beneath.

  4. Now, your character appears between the background and foreground layers, creating a full scene.



Animating with Green Screen

  1. Zoom in on the timeline to see details more clearly.

  2. Click the Capture button to take a frame. You can also:

    • Capture from the Capture tab.

    • Click the camera icon on the timeline.

    • Press 1 on the keyboard to take one frame, 2 for two frames, and so on.

  3. Each captured frame appears in the timeline.




  4. Move your character slightly between frames and capture again to animate.


  5. Playback your animation at any time to check progress.

Adjusting Chroma Key for Captured Frames

  1. Click on any frame to adjust its Chroma Key settings.

  2. Open the Green Screening tab for that frame.




  3. Add or remove keys or tweak the settings as needed.

  4. To remove the Chroma Key effect from a frame, disable or delete the key.

  5. Apply changes to all frames in the current clip by clicking Apply to Whole Clip.



  6. If needed, restore Chroma Key by adding a key to one frame, refining it, then applying it to the entire clip.

  7. This is particularly useful if importing images or capturing frames without the Chroma Key effect.

Extending Your Animation

  1. Zoom out and copy/paste your animation clip to extend it.

  2. Reverse alternate clips to create a looping action.

Conclusion

Now you’ve learned how to set up and use the green screen feature in Cloud Stop Motion. With practice, you’ll be able to create dynamic animated scenes with backgrounds and foregrounds.

Happy animating!

See the video that accompanies this article here: https://youtu.be/heMG0YVgTIY