A soft edge is associated with which video technique in compositing?

• A. Feathering
• B. Hard key
• C. Chroma key
• D. Bleeding

Answer: (A)

Edge blending in compositing and how to create a natural transition between foreground and background is what this item focuses on. The best method to produce a soft boundary is feathering. Feathering widens the edge of the matte so the transparency changes gradually, creating a smooth blend rather than a harsh line. This is especially helpful after chroma keying, where a distinct green or blue outline can otherwise give away the composite. By adjusting the feather amount, you control how soft or sharp the edge appears, helping the subject sit convincingly in the new background.

A hard key, in contrast, gives a crisp, well-defined boundary with little to no softness. Chroma key refers to the process of removing a specific color, but soft edges come from feathering the matte rather than the keying itself. Bleeding is about color spill seeping into edges or surrounding areas, which is something you try to minimize, not the technique used to soften edges.