To change a matte in Premiere Pro, you'll primarily be using the Track Matte Key effect. Here’s how you do it:
Using the Track Matte Key Effect
The Track Matte Key effect is the key tool for manipulating mattes in Premiere Pro. It allows you to use one video clip to define the transparency or visibility of another clip.
Steps to Apply and Adjust the Track Matte Key:
- Locate the Effect: Go to the Effects panel. Then, navigate to Video Effects > Keying. You will see the Track Matte Key effect listed.
- Apply the Effect: Drag the Track Matte Key effect from the Effects panel onto the clip you want to apply the matte to. This clip is usually located on V2 (Video Track 2).
- Open Effect Controls: Once the effect is applied, open the Effect Controls panel. You will find all the settings for the Track Matte Key here.
- Adjust the Matte Settings:
- Matte: In the Effect Controls panel, you’ll see a "Matte" option. This drop-down menu lets you choose the video track that contains your matte. Typically, the matte clip is placed on V3 (Video Track 3).
- Composite Using: Choose how the matte affects the main clip. Options include:
- Luma Matte: The brightness of the matte determines the transparency. Brighter areas become more opaque, while darker areas become more transparent.
- Alpha Matte: The matte’s alpha channel (transparency) directly determines the main clip's transparency.
- Reverse: This option reverses the effect of the matte, making transparent areas opaque and vice-versa.
Example:
Let's say you want a logo to reveal a background scene.
- Place the background video clip on V1.
- Place your logo on V2.
- Place a white solid on V3. (This will serve as our matte and can be any graphic.)
- Apply the Track Matte Key effect to the logo clip on V2.
- In the effect control settings for the logo clip (V2), under Matte, select Video 3.
- Select Luma Matte.
In this example, the white solid on V3 will reveal the video on V1 wherever it overlaps with the logo on V2.
By understanding and adjusting these options in the Track Matte Key effect, you can control how mattes affect your video and achieve various creative effects.
