Rotoscoping Tool – User Guide

1. Introduction

The Rotoscoping Tool lets you isolate subjects in any clip and swap, remove, or stylise the background with just a few clicks. Leveraging AI segmentation, you simply click on the objects you want to keep—no fiddly frame‑by‑frame masking required.

2. Key Things You Can Do

• Remove the background entirely and drop your subject onto any scene or graphic.
• Export with transparency to layer the clip over other media in post‑production.
• Swap in a solid colour backdrop—ideal for green‑screen style compositing or on‑brand palettes.
• Turn the background grayscale while keeping the subject vivid for instant cinematic contrast.
• Apply a subtle or strong blur to de‑emphasise busy surroundings and draw the viewer’s focus.
• Pinpoint and blur a single object (e.g., a license plate or bystander) without affecting the rest of the frame.

3. Quick‑Start Checklist

Use this checklist as a lightning‑fast path from upload to export.

1. Create a new project from the dashboard and click Import.
2. Upload a clip (≤ 30 s). Once it appears on the timeline, pick a start & end range if you only need a subsection.
3. Select Mask (foreground) and click on every subject you want to keep.
4. Toggle to Unmask if anything extra was included and click to remove it.
5. Press Propagate maskings to apply your selection to every frame.
6. Use post‑propagation options to change the background, tweak the foreground, or add effects.
7. Hit Export to download your result.

Tip: You can work for up to 10 minutes on the free plan before the session closes.

4. Workspace Tour

The table below maps every button to its purpose so you’re never lost.

Area	What it does
Mask / Unmask switch	Choose whether clicks add or remove masked regions.
Magnifier	Hover over the video to inspect the current frame at pixel level.
Masking options	Undo (⌘/Ctrl + Z) the last click or Reset all current maskings.
Propagate	Applies the current frame’s masking to the whole clip; unlocks all advanced actions.
Adjust boundary	Fine‑tune the edge of the mask after propagation.
Post‑propagation actions	Replace the background, change foreground, apply blur/solid colour, grayscale, darken/light effects, or revert to original.
Export	Render and download your edited video when you’re happy.

5. Masking Workflow in Detail

Follow these steps whenever you need precise control over what stays and what goes.

• Add maskings – click every foreground object you want to keep.
• Remove maskings – switch to Unmask and click any area that was over‑masked.
• Propagate – when the current frame looks right, click Propagate maskings to process the entire clip.
• Adjust boundary – if edges look jagged, choose Adjust boundary to feather and smooth.

6. Exporting & Resolution Limits

Here’s what you can take home with each subscription level.

Plan	Download length	Resolution
Basic (Free)	5 s	360 p
Premium (Pay‑as‑you‑go)	30 s	≤ 1920 p
Pro	30 s	≤ 1920 p
Business	30 s	≤ 4 K

7. Time & Credit Limits

A few pro‑tips to speed up your workflow and boost quality.

Plan	Studio time per upload	Credit use
Basic	10 min	–
Premium	1 min / credit	0.5 credit / s
Pro	60 min	Included
Business	60 min	Included

Note: Complex subjects (smoke, hair, thin edges) may need extra manual refinement.

8. Troubleshooting & Feedback

Run into issues? Start here before pinging support.

Issue	Fix
Mask bleeds onto background	Switch to Unmask, click bleed area, then Propagate again.
Edges look harsh	Use Adjust boundary or Add Feather under Foreground options.
Session closed too soon	Upgrade your plan for longer studio time.
Longer static video with solid colour background	Use Auto Video Background Remover for clips over 30 s where subject and backdrop stay mostly still.
Animated GIF with flat solid background	Use Chroma Keying Tool when the background is a single, non‑gradient colour distinct from the foreground.