Ultimatte-9 Operations Manual
March 1, 2000
29
Setting the BG Level Balance slightly below normal can, in certain instances, enhance the
reproduction of extremely fine edge detail in the FG subject. Setting it slightly above normal can
sometimes be used to eliminate noise in the BG area caused by imperfections in the backing. It
provides, in certain cases, an alternative to the Clean Up control.
Warning: Advancing this control too far can cause foreground object edges to glow.
7. Clean Up Level
The Clean Up Level can be used to remove evidence of imperfections in the backing such as
scuffmarks, seams, or unwanted shadows. The Clean Up Level solves these problems at the
expense of fine detail on the edges of the FG subject. Use Clean Up Level sparingly as it can
produce a hard-edged, cutout look to the composite image. The Clean Up Level can also be used
to reduce noise in the BG area of the matte signal, in addition to the residual noise left in the
backing area of the processed FG image. Clean Up Level could be, in some cases, an alternative
to increasing the BG Level Balance control setting. Either adjustment involves a compromise in
the overall look of the image.
The problem with Clean Up Level is that there is no way to distinguish between imperfections in
the backing and subtle detail on FG edges or transparent areas, including shadows. Final
adjustments of this control should be made while viewing the composited image.
8. Clean Up Threshold
The Clean Up Threshold control
is used in conjunction with the Clean Up Level control. It sets a
reference level in the matte signal, above which the Clean Up Level control will be effective, but
below this threshold the matte signal will not be affected. In certain cases it can eliminate small
screen imperfections e.g. scuff marks and noise from the composite image, with no effect on
shadows and edge detail that exists below this threshold level. When the Clean Up Threshold
control
is set to 0%, Clean Up Level is applied to the entire matte signal.
9. Matte Reset
Activating the Matte Reset button restores all matte-setting controls (Matte Density, Black Gloss,
Red Density, Green Density, Blue Density and Shadow Noise) to their default settings. These
default settings could be factory set or user set values. See sec. XLVI for details of setting and
using User Files.
Matte Reset does not sample the backing for new reference color values; it uses the current
values to recalculate backing color suppression and BG 'turn on' parameters. In addition, its
activation has no influence on the rest of the controls, which might have been set by the operator
to values other than their default settings.
10. Matte View 75/100
Changes the backing area of the signal from 75% white (default) to 100% white
11. Matte On/Off
Toggles the matte generation and flare suppression circuits ON and OFF.
12. Auto Screen Select
Auto Screen Select is the default method of scanning, analyzing, and determining reference
backing color levels. In this method, the matte signal is analyzed to detect the highest level, which
will correspond to the brightest and purest area of the backing.
The Auto Screen Select will acquire new reference data when this function is enabled, on the
Main Unit Power Up, System Reset, Backing Color Select, File Clear, and User Reset.
