Note: All AtmosFX Virtual Background Bundles are on sale for 33% off through June 19, 2023 12:00 pm PT!
Who knew so many of us would be hosting family holiday gatherings on Zoom? Or utter the words “Zoom happy hour”? The past years have been challenging times – and not just because we discovered that all-hands meetings are even more boring when they’re online.
Zoom, of course, is the incredibly popular online meeting platform that – mercifully! – has allowed us to keep in touch with our families, friends and colleagues. But, let’s face it, the backgrounds can be so boring – barring the occasional pants-less family member absentmindedly wandering in the background. But we can’t always count on that.
So, if you’d like to add a little spunk to your next Zoom meeting, we propose uploading an AtmosFX Virtual Background into your Zoom preferences. It’s easy! And with 10 different bundles, each containing three unique virtual backgrounds, you’ll have plenty of options, whether you want to go scary or merry, or nerdy or dinosaur-herdy. We can show you how.
Step #1: Select the Perfect Background
It’s easy. Within minutes you can be chatting-up distant friends from the Santa’s toy workshop at the North Pole, or maybe celebrating a family member’s birthday with balloons, streamers and confetti. Perhaps an invasion of brain-craving zombies might help end a meeting that’s gone 20 minutes overtime?
As we mentioned, all 10 AtmosFX Virtual Background Bundles are created from official AtmosFX Decorations and they are optimized to perform seamlessly with Zoom and other video conferencing platforms. Because they’re not complete decorations, they are easier to use and less expensive than a complete decoration. No matter what you are looking for, there’s likely a clever option for you:
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Holiday Stained Glass Background Bundle
Add brilliant color to your holiday family video calls -
Santa Background Bundle
Children will love to see Santa and his elves in the background
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Winter Holiday Background Bundle
Tranquil winter scenes perfect for the winter season -
ATMOSpheric Background Bundle
Atmospherics for the seasons: Fireworks, autumn leaves and snowflakes -
Celebrations Background Bundle
Celebrate birthdays, Independence Day and New Year’s
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Star Trek Background Bundle
Teleconference from Star Trek’s Transporter Room -
Dinosaur Background Bundle
Make a video call from a prehistoric era – just don’t get eaten -
Creepy Critters Background Bundle
Insects that are not for the squeamish: This video call is buggy -
Scary Background Bundle
Fill your screen with ghosts, specters and ghouls
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Spooky Background Bundle
Render your colleagues speechless with these background creeps
Step #2: Choose a Good Location (and Good Clothes)
So how do you use your AtmosFX Virtual Background? Obviously, start with a computer, tablet or smartphone that has a video camera. You will want to set that up in a location that is well lit, but not too bright, and where there is not a lot of clutter behind you. A blank wall is perfect. Zoom suggests a “green screen” like they use for television and film – if you have a green wall, use it. But that isn’t always necessary – what’s important is that your backdrop is plain, uniform and with as little clutter as possible.
Oh, and make sure whatever clothing you are wearing is NOT similar to the color of your backdrop. That’s important.
Step #3: Log into Zoom and Adjust Your Settings
Zoom allows you to upload any photo or video, of any size, to create a virtual background. That includes AtmosFX Virtual Backgrounds.
If using your computer, make sure you have downloaded the Zoom desktop client because, ultimately, that’s where you’ll click to enable your virtual background. If you are using a tablet or phone, use the Zoom app. (You probably already were!)
If you are using the Zoom desktop client on your computer:
- Log into your Zoom account through your web browser to enable your virtual background. You’ll need to do the following things:
- Go to “Settings.”
- Find the meeting “Meeting” tab and then click on “In Meeting (Advanced).”
- Find “Virtual Background” and confirm that it is turned on. If not, do so! Then save your changes.
- If your Zoom desktop client was already open, quit. Then, relaunch. If it was closed, you’re set.
Once you have made your account changes, launch the Zoom desktop client. Under “Settings,” you will find “Video.” There, you will find a menu of pre-made virtual backgrounds, as well as an opportunity to load your own photos or videos, by clicking on the “Plus” symbol.
If using the Zoom app on your tablet or phone:
Your virtual background is already enabled, so you do not need to log into your Zoom account via your web browser. Now, join a video meeting. Once you have done so, click “Settings.” You’ll have the option to select either “Video” or “Virtual Background,” depending on your device. There, you will find a menu of pre-made virtual backgrounds, as well as an opportunity to load your own photos or videos, by clicking on the “Plus” symbol.
Step #4: Load Your Digital Decoration and Amaze Everyone!
Now, simply click the “Plus” symbol and search for the Virtual Background you want to use. Find that file on our computer (it is likely in your “Downloads” file) and click to upload it.
Pick what you think would make for a good background – a zombie attack, a winter snowfall, a banner saying “Happy Birthday.” Here, we’re using the “T-Rex Encounter” Virtual Background from the Dinosaur Background Bundle. Think how great this would be if having a video chat with a 9-year-old nephew!
Once your file is uploaded, you will be able to select it and use it as your new virtual background. Congratulations – you are about to blow the minds of your family, friends and colleagues!
For more detailed information on creating a virtual background in Zoom, including system requirements, steps and a helpful video, click here.
