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Cardboard can automatically remove the background from any video clip or image on your timeline. This is useful for layering subjects over new backgrounds, creating picture-in-picture effects, or isolating a speaker from a distracting environment.

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How it works

Background removal uses AI to separate the foreground subject from the background. For images, processing happens instantly in your browser. For video, each frame is processed in the cloud — you can keep editing while it runs.

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Removing a background

1

Select a clip

Click on any video or image clip on the timeline.
2

Find the Background Removal toggle

In the properties panel on the left, scroll down to the Remove Background section.
3

Toggle it on

Flip the switch to start background removal. You will see a progress indicator while the AI processes your clip.
4

Done

Once processing completes, the background is transparent. You can layer other clips or images behind it on a lower track.
For images, background removal runs locally in your browser and finishes in a few seconds. For video clips, the file needs to be uploaded to the cloud first — you will see an upload progress bar if the file has not been uploaded yet.

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Layering over a new background

After removing the background from a clip, place it on a higher track than your background content:
  1. Put your background video or image on Track 1
  2. Put the clip with the removed background on Track 2 (above it)
  3. The subject appears composited over the new background
See Timeline Editing for more on working with multiple tracks.

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Turning it off

To restore the original background, click the clip and toggle the Remove Background switch off. The original clip is never modified — background removal is non-destructive.

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Tips for best results

  • Clear subjects work best — a person standing in front of a wall will produce cleaner results than a busy scene with many overlapping objects
  • Good lighting helps the AI distinguish the subject from the background
  • Steady footage produces more consistent frame-to-frame results
Background removal works on video and image clips. It is not available for text, audio, or adjustment layers.

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What’s next?

Timeline Editing

Learn how to layer clips using multiple tracks.

Effects & Transitions

Add transitions and color grading to your clips.