# Background Replacement

Background replacement allows you to swap the environment behind your participants with custom digital images. You can achieve this using a traditional green screen or by utilizing AI-powered virtual replacement that requires no physical backdrop at all.

**Proper lighting is the most important factor for high-quality background removal.** Most aesthetic or quality issues are caused by uneven lighting, shadows, or poor backdrop positioning. Be sure to review our lighting and setup tips below.

***

### Choosing a Replacement Method

The best method for your event depends on your hardware and the environment where the booth will be set up.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Virtual Background Replacement (AI)" %}
Virtual replacement uses AI to remove the background without a physical screen, significantly reducing your setup time and equipment needs.

* **Live Preview:** For the best experience, use an iPad with an **A14 chip or newer**. These devices show a live preview of the replacement during capture and allow participants to choose their background before the countdown.
* **Older Devices:** On older iPads, the background is applied after the photo is taken. Participants will see the first background in your settings by default but can swap it during the editing phase.

**Recommended iPad Models for Live Preview:**

* iPad Air (4th generation or newer)
* iPad (10th generation)
* iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation or newer)
* iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation or newer)

{% hint style="info" %}
Virtual Background Replacement works best in controlled lighting with a simple, uncluttered background behind the subjects.\
\
Virtual Background Replacement does not work well with physical props or face coverings.
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Green or Blue Screen" %}
A physical backdrop is recommended if:

* You are using an older iPad and want predictable, real-time results.
* Your event background is very busy or has uneven depth.
* Lighting conditions are difficult to control.
  {% endtab %}
  {% endtabs %}

***

#### Enabling Background Replacement

1. Open the **Background Replacement** settings card. 
2. Toggle Background Replacement **on**. 
3. Select Green Screen, Blue Screen, or Virtual for your background type. 
4. You must upload at least one file. The feature will automatically disable if no file is present.

{% hint style="info" %}
If you upload multiple backgrounds, you can enable them as an [**Editing Tool**](/copy-of-halo-app/experience-designer/post-capture/edit-tools.md) in the Experience Designer to let participants change the look after they take their photo.
{% endhint %}

***

#### Background File Sizing

For the best results, your background image dimensions should match your [**capture frame**](/copy-of-halo-app/layout-designer/adding-layers/capture-frames.md) aspect ratio.

***

#### Event Setup & Lighting

* **Use Even Lighting:** Aim for a strong, consistent light source. [HALO lighting](https://buy.simplebooth.com/) is highly recommended for professional results, but [other light sources](https://www.simplebooth.com/blog/best-photo-booth-lighting-setups/) can work well too. 
* **Avoid Shadows:** Position lights to reduce harsh shadows behind the subjects, as these can confuse the removal software. 
  * If you're using a backdrop, secure it with clamps to remove folds and eliminate shadows or bright spots
* **Exposure Balance:** Adjust your light brightness and the app’s camera exposure together. Avoid over-exposure, which can cause "glow" or "bleeding" around the edges of the participant.
* **Fill Lighting:** If the room is dimly lit, consider adding small fill lights on either side of the booth to better define the subjects.

***

{% hint style="success" %}

## **Plan Availability**

✅ Core, Plus, Pro, Select 

❌ Lite
{% endhint %}


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