Simple Object Removal
Check this out if you’ve ever had to shoot everything again because you didn’t see that big Britney Spears poster hanging on the wall.
In this tutorial you will learn basic techniques for removing unwanted objects from your footage. The idea for this tutorial came to me when I was working on a movie called “Wywiad” (The Interview) by Bartek Siemierzewicz and Konrad Wasilewski. In fact, the footage that I’m using comes from this movie, so this time no project file. Sorry.
This tutorial involves working in After Effects and Photoshop, and I’ve found a free plug-in, that makes that much more easier. You don’t have to use it, but I really recommend it. I’ve used it in this tutorial, so you can see it in action before trying it out.
Download ObviouFX CopyImage plug-in from the ObviousFX website.
I also recommend trying out ObviousFX Erodilation plug-in.
I’m glad you’re back. I was missing your tutorials :D
marra182 said this July 28th, 2007 at 1:36
Thanks for another great tutorial, great to see you are back!
I just wanted to note that there is a little trick in Photoshop when cloning if you want to to align the images: You don’t have to hold the Alt-key, you can just activate Caps Lock on your keyboard to get a crosshair cursor instead. If you want the circle shape again, just deactivate Caps Lock. The great thing about this is that it works with all brush tools (Eraser, Healing Brush, Paint Brush etc.), not just the Clone Stamp.
The other way to do an aligned clone is to duplicate the layer, align the images exactly as you want them to be using the differenc
peter said this July 28th, 2007 at 12:50
Thanks for the tip. I forgot to mention that. In healing and cloning I prefer using the Alt-key, because unlike the CapsLock, it turns on the “aiming” temporarily, and to turn it off I just have to let go the Alt-key.
Maltaannon said this July 28th, 2007 at 14:54
Thanks for this, I really find it quite extraordinary that you (and some others) take the time to do this for us rookies!
I’d like to suggest one thing on which I have not found much on the web yet (but this may well be something that is not within the scope of this site): a guide for what hardware is best for AE, Premiere (compositing/editing). Do we need a dual or quadcore, do we need a super-fast graphics card, what kind of monitor is best (e.g. can normal monitors provide sufficient color-management - also for the occasional Photoshop session - or do we all need to buy Eizos). Do we need a raid (is a raid of any advantage for DV or do we only need it for High Definition; is it absolutely necessary for High Definition) etc… These questions are very difficult to figure out for people like me.
Steffen said this August 1st, 2007 at 17:39
Wow this is one good tutorial Jerzy. I never had to remove anything out of a shot, but now i know what to do iff it ever happends…
First tutorial i ever saw off you btw and im looking here and in ccow to watch your others.
Pretty good english too, being from Poland!
Keep up the good work.
Mr T.
Mr T. said this August 4th, 2007 at 23:26
Wow! I just stumbled on to your site and you have awesome tutorials. I’ve seen your name at creative cow but I only visit the forums to look for answers when I have a problem. I obviously need to pay a little more attention. I’ve learned more from watching this tutorial than from the AE books I’ve read. Thanks a lot and keep up the awesome work!
MegaMe said this August 5th, 2007 at 7:57
I agree with all those people. This site, and tutorials are very good.
I’m working on TV for many years, but I’m still not quite sure what hardware configuration is the best for video editing and post production. I mean - what is the optimum for comfortable work? Yes, this is the site determent to nice tutorials, but let’s talk about more stuff, related to video.
And Jerzy, keep up this nice nice work!
I saw somewhere that Andrew Kramer said that some tutorial is very good. Hey! When he said that, than it must be good! (No hard feelings, but I think that Andrew is a BIG name)
Geoge said this August 5th, 2007 at 22:38
Amazing tutorial. I’m excited to try and apply this to my videos now. It’s incredible the way you so easily ‘fake out’ reality. I didn’t know that kind of effect was so easy in AE. NICE
THANKS!
rekzkarz said this October 28th, 2007 at 4:12
To akurat mój pierwszy tutorial, który miałem okazję oglądnąć z całego zbioru. Jak człowiek obejrzał, wszystko się wydało tak oczywiste. Natomiast nie wiedziałem akurat nic o tym zastosowaniu Patch Tool’a. Dzięki, J. - świetne tutoriale ;)
This was actually my first tutorial, I had an occasion to watch frome whole collection. After taking a look, everything appeared to be so obvious. All in all, I didn’t know a s*** about using this Patch Tool. Thanks J. - great tutorials ;)
supercoin said this November 13th, 2007 at 21:25
Keep doing what you’re doing. This is great stuff man, especially for those of us beginning in the mograph industry. I’ll be sure to link you to stuff I use your teachings in. Keep making stuff for the cow too, that’s how I found you.
And great color scheme for the site too.
-Rev. Benjamin
Rev. Benjamin said this November 20th, 2007 at 3:22
To the people asking the hardware questions… Please take them to another “equipment geek” forum… We have a master of technique here and it’s not about the processing tools, but rather the skillset tools of the program… It reminds me of photographers talking about “what camera did you use for that chot?”…. it’s the EYE… not the camera.
GREAT TUTORIAL! many thanks for sharing your work with us.
Dale ANthony Smith said this December 4th, 2007 at 7:30
Always a pleasure. Cheers!
Maltaannon said this December 4th, 2007 at 9:57
I think the simple answer to any hardware question would be “the best you can reasonably afford”. Anyway, looking forward to using these tutorials, thanks for putting them up!
Treehouse said this December 18th, 2007 at 11:58
[...] Simple Object Removal [...]
TGD said this May 26th, 2008 at 20:42