This article explains how to add a fake wallpaper to a video on a Windows computer, thanks to a green screen. If you have Windows Movie Maker version 6.0 or later on a Windows 7 system, you can try using this program to perform the procedure; However, Windows Movie Maker is outdated, is no longer supported by Microsoft, and probably won't work. If you can't properly use the green screen with this application, you can use the free Shotcut alternative to accomplish the same effect.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Use Windows Movie Maker
Step 1. Make sure you have the green screen video on your computer
If you filmed in front of a green screen, you will need to transfer the file from your camera or phone to your computer before proceeding.
It may be useful to save the file with the green screen and the one to be used as wallpaper in the same location (for example on the desktop) on your computer
Step 2. Download the file that allows the transition from the green screen
Visit the RehanFX site to get the screen transition file you will use as your green screen.
Step 3. Install the transition
Double-click on the icon of the program you just downloaded, then follow these instructions:
- Click on Yup when asked;
- Click on I accept;
- Click on Come on;
- Click again on Come on;
- Click on Install.
Step 4. Open Windows Movie Maker
Click on Start
then type windows movie maker and click on the program's film icon, which you will find at the top of the Start window.
Step 5. Import the movies
You will need two: the one you shot using the green screen and the one that has the background you want to use instead of the green screen. To import them:
- Click on File;
- Click on You open in the drop-down menu;
- Select movies;
- Click on You open in the lower right corner.
Step 6. Put both files on the timeline
Drag the movie you want to use as a background onto the timeline at the bottom of the window, then do the same with the one shot in front of the green screen. On the timeline, the background video should be before the other.
Step 7. Select the first movie
It should be the video with the background.
Step 8. Click on Transitions
You'll see this tab on the left side of the Windows Movie Maker window, right under the "Edit" heading. Select it to show all available transitions.
If you don't see this tab on the left side of the window, click Edit at the top of the window, then select the transitions.
Step 9. Click on Green Chroma 1
You'll find this item in the Transitions menu, scrolling down. Select it to add the green screen transition to the timeline.
You can also select one of the other items Green Chroma of this menu.
Step 10. Apply the transition
Drag the second video (the one with the green screen) onto the background video, then release the mouse button when you see a blue triangle appear on the timeline.
If you drag the video too far to the left, the footage will simply swap positions. In that case, press Ctrl + Z to return them to their original position and try again
Step 11. Preview the video
Click on the triangular "Play" button in the right part of the window to check if the effect has been applied correctly.
If the green screen isn't applied correctly, try using an option Green Chroma different as a transition. You can also try using Shotcut instead of Windows Movie Maker.
Method 2 of 2: Using Shotcut
Step 1. Check which architecture your computer uses
To download Shotcut, you need to know if your system is 32-bit or 64-bit.
Step 2. Download and install Shotcut
Visit this page with your browser, click on the "installer" link for your version of the operating system, then follow these steps when the download is complete:
- Double click on the Shotcut installation file;
- Click on Yup when asked;
- Click on I accept;
- Click on Come on;
- Click on Install;
- Click on Close.
Step 3. Open Shotcut
Click on Start
type shotcut, then click on the light blue icon Shotcut that appears at the top of the Start window.
Step 4. Click on the Playlists tab and on that Timeline.
They are both located at the top of the Shotcut window. This way, you add the "Timeline" section to the bottom of the window and the "Playlist" section to the left.
Step 5. Add files to Shotcut
Click on Open file in the upper left part of the program window, then select the files you want to add and click on You open.
You should have at least two files: the video taken in front of the green screen and the video or image to use as the background, which will replace the green screen
Step 6. Create two video channels
Click on ≡ at the top left of the Timeline section at the bottom of the window, click Add video track, then repeat the operation a second time.
Step 7. Insert the video into the first channel
Drag the green screen movie from the "Playlist" window to the new video channel, then release the mouse button.
Step 8. Add the background to the second channel
Drag the movie or image you want to use as a background onto the second channel, then release the mouse button.
- If you are using a background video, it should have the same duration as the one shot in front of the green screen.
- If you are using an image as a background, you will need to click on the left or right edge of its icon to extend its duration to the entire video.
Step 9. Select the video taken in front of the green screen
You should see it at the top of the "Timeline" section.
Step 10. Click on the Filters tab
This item is at the top of the window. Select it to bring up the menu Filters in the "Playlist" section.
Step 11. Click on ＋
You will see this button under the "Filters" menu of the "Playlists" section. Select it to open the filter list in the left part of the window.
Step 12. Click on the "Video" icon
It represents a monitor screen and is located under the "Playlist" window.
Step 13. Click on Chromakey (Simple)
You will find this item in the center of the "Playlist" window. Select it to open the green screen settings.
Step 14. Adjust the distance of the green screen
Click and drag the "Distance" selector to the right, until the image or video that is to replace the green screen appears on the right side of the window.
As a basic rule, you must avoid exceeding 100%
Step 15. Preview the movie
Click on the triangular "Play" button under the movie window, on the right side of the program screen, then modify the green screen effect as needed. If you can see a good part of the green screen, drag the "Distance" selector to the right; if you don't see enough background, drag the selector to the left.
Step 16. Export the movie
Click on File, then on Export video …, on Export file at the bottom of the menu, finally type name.mp4 in the "File name" text field. Click on Save when you're done, so start exporting the file.
- Replace "name" with the title you want to assign to your video.
- Exporting can take from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the size and resolution of the movie.
