Changing the background

Now, we will improve the composition using the CC Light Rays and 4-Color Gradient effects.

Improving the composite by using CC Light Rays

CC Light Rays is an After Effects plugin that creates stunning light ray effects, simulating the natural interplay of light in a scene. It will enhance visual impact by adding dynamic and realistic light beams and cinematic visuals to our composite.

Follow these steps to improve the composite by using the CC Light Rays effect:

1. Duplicate the Background.mp4 layer in the Chroma Keying composition using the shortcut Ctrl + D or Cmd + D.
2. Rename the duplicated Background.mp4 layer to Background_Light.mp4 by right-clicking on the layer and selecting Rename.
3. Move Background_Light.mp4 to the layer above the Women_Working.mp4 layer.

Figure 9.8: The Background_Light.mp4 layer moved above the Women_Working.mp4 layer

4. Select the Background_Light.mp4 layer.
5. Go to the Effect menu at the top of the screen.
6. Navigate to Generate and select CC Light Rays.
7. In the Effect Controls panel, you will find the CC Light Rays effect.
8. Change Intensity to 124.
9. Change Center to the center of the white light in the Background_light.mp4 layer.

Figure 9.9: The CC Light Rays center moved to the center of the light in the Background_light.mp4 layer

10. Now, change Radius to 37.0.
11. Change Warp Softness to 400.0.
12. Finally, to composite the CC Light Rays effect on the Women_Working.mp4 layer, change Transfer Mode to None from Add.

Figure 9.10: CC Light Rays settings modified for the final effect

Next, we will add the 4-Color Gradient effect.

Adding the 4-Color Gradient effect

The 4-Color Gradient effect is a creative way to add some visual flair to your videos. You can use this effect for various purposes, such as backgrounds, text, or transitions. We will be using this effect to overlay the colors of the background layer over the Women_Working.mp4 layer.

Follow these steps to implement the 4-Color Gradient effect:

1. In the Timeline panel, right-click and select New | Adjustment Layer. This will create a new adjustment layer above your existing layers.
2. Select Adjustment Layer 1 in the timeline to make sure it’s active. Then, go to Effect | Generate | 4-Color Gradient to apply the 4-Color Gradient effect to Adjustment Layer 1.
3. In the Effect Controls panel, you’ll see the settings for the 4-Color Gradient effect applied to Adjustment Layer 1.
4. Change the points’ colors as follows:
   • Color 1: B6B6B6
   • Color 2: 8C342A
   • Color 3: 464D80
   • Color 4: 85709B

   Figure 9.11 shows the modified colors:

Figure 9.11: 4-Color Gradient colors changed

5. Now, change the positions of points as shown in Figure 9.12:

Figure 9.12: 4-Color Gradient point positions changed

6. Change Blending Mode to Soft Light in the 4-Color Gradient effect, which gives us the final composite as shown in Figure 9.13:

Figure 9.13: Final composite of the Chroma Keying composition

The 4-Color Gradient effect adds a color overlay over the Women_Working.mp4 layer, which adds a realistic compositing effect.