To Set Up an Auto Key Association

As well as input sources, internally generated sources, such as media-stores and color backgrounds, can be set up as an auto key.

  1. Click Navigation Menu > Configuration > Inputs > External if you are setting up a physical input, or Internal if you are setting up an internal input.
  2. Click the Alpha button for the key video source that you want to assign an alpha to.


  3. Click the Alpha Source button for the source that you want to assign to the key video.
    Tip: Some internal sources have alpha signals hard coded to them and others do no support an alpha signal.
    • --none-- — no alpha
    • XX — assign the source on the selected input as a key alpha
    • BK — assign internal black as a key alpha
    • BG — assign the matte generator as a key alpha
    • MX — assign the video on Media​-Store X as a key alpha
    • MXA — assign the alpha on Media​-Store X as a key alpha
    • PGM — assign the main program output as the key alpha
    • PRV — assign the main preview output as the key alpha
    • CLN — assign the main clean feed output as the key alpha
    • MEX — assign the program output of ME X as the key alpha
    • MEX PV — assign the preview output of ME X as the key alpha
    • MEX CL — assign the clean feed output of ME X as the key alpha
    • MiniMEX — assign the output of MiniME™ X as the key alpha
    • MMXCmb — assign the combined alpha of MiniME™ X as the key alpha
    • CKXA — assign the alpha output of chroma key X as the key alpha
  4. Click an Alpha Mode button to select the alpha mode for the key alpha.
    • Linear — switcher performs a multiplicative key. The key alpha cuts a hole based on the gradient values of the alpha. Shades of gray are translated into transparency levels, giving the key a soft edge. Unshaped key alphas can also be considered true linear alphas.
    • Shaped — switcher perform an additive key. With shaped keys, the key alpha cuts a hole based on the monochrome value of the alpha. Shades of gray are translated into either white or black, giving the key a hard edge. Shaped Key alphas are sometimes used with Character Generators to cut very precise holes for the fill.