How to Add Special Effects to a Video with Best Video Effects

If you’re looking for brilliant video effects software, well, congrats! Your search ends here! Filmora is one of the best video editing programs with great common and special effects. The program is downloadable on both Windows and Mac computers, and you can create excellent short movies, films, YouTube videos, and more.

Filmora offers more than 300 free video effects, including PiP, 3D elements, blur, green screen, and more. So, in this article, you will not only know about basic and special video effects. But you will also learn the ways to apply them using Filmora.

So let's begin with all the sections.

• Part 1: Common Basic Video Effects
• Part 2: Special Video Effects
• Part 3: How to Apply Basic Video Effects to a Video
• How to Apply Transitions to a Video?
• How to Cut and Trim to a Video?
• How to Apply Filters to a Video?
• How to Rotate and Flip a Video?
• Part 4: How to Apply Special Video Effects to a Video
• How to Apply Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Effect to a Video?
• How to Apply Split Screen Effect to a Video?
• How to Apply Motion Tracking Effect to a Video?
• How to Apply 3D Elements Effect to a Video?
• How to Apply Blur Effect to a Video?

Part 1: Common Basic Video Effects

Filmora is a user-centered video effects software. That means you can enjoy some of the most popular tools to make your videos great on the grass root. For example:

• Transitions
• Cut and trim
• Filters
• Rotate and flip

Part 2: Special Video Effects

At the same time, Filmora is also a powerful video effects software that offers professional tools for creating highly-engaging videos. Among several names, here are a few incredible special effects you can apply to make pleasing, lovable, and viral videos.

• Picture in Picture (PiP)
• Split Screen
• Motion Tracking
• 3D Elements
• Blur

Part 3: How to Apply Basic Video Effects to a Video

In this section, you will learn to use basic tools from the list when you choose Filmora as your video effects software. So download and install Filmora on your Mac or Windows computer to get started. Also, remember that this section will support your editing process when you try adding special effects to your videos. 

How to Apply Transitions to a Video?

Transitions help you switch smoothly from one scene to another, and applying transitions in Filmora is pretty easy. Just follow the step-by-step instructions below:

Step 1: Add Media to the Library

Open Filmora and click on the “Import Media Files Here” icon.

Select video clips from your local hard drive and click on the “Open” button.

Doing so will import the selected videos to your Filmora’s media library.

Step 2: Drag and Drop Media to the Timeline

Use your mouse to drag and drop both videos on the timeline. It is up to you to keep both clips on the same or different tracks.

But when performing this step, you will be given a prompt notification asking you to select the media resolution. You can choose any one option or even ignore it by closing the notification.

Now, click on the “Play” button to preview both videos.

Step 3: Apply Transitions Effect

Click on the “Transitions” tab.

Choose “Recommended” from the left side menu to see the list of free transitions. Select your desired transition effect and drag and drop it on the clip. As you can see in the screenshot, “Fade” is applied to the first video clip.

Again, click the “Play” button below the preview screen to see how this transition works.

So, let’s add the same “Fade” effect on the second clip, assuming you need to shift from one clip to another without a sudden jump.

To do that, grab the second clip using your mouse.

Then, drag and drop it on the above empty track on the timeline.

Apply the “Fade” transition effect again on the second video clip.

And preview the video to see if both videos are fading whenever each clip begins.

Step 4: Export Your Video to Your Computer

Click the “Export” button.

Click on the “Export with Watermark” button to save the video on your Mac or Windows computer. Or click “Buy Now” to purchase the software and enjoy doing projects without Filmora’s watermark.

How to Cut and Trim a Video?

Cut and trim tools are needed at every stage of video editing. Moreover, these features also play a vital role when applying special video effects in Filmora editing software. You can remove unnecessary parts from your videos using cut and trim options. So, this is how you can do it.

Step 1: Add Videos to Your Timeline

After importing the video to the media library, drag and drop files on the timeline.

Also, don’t forget to stretch the video by clicking the “Zoom” button under the preview screen. This will help you make accurate cuts.

Step 2: Split Video into Multiple Parts

Grab the “Playhead” and place it on the desired frame you want to split. Now, use the “Scissor” icon to cut videos into two parts.

And this is how you can cut and make videos into two or more parts.

You can also split your clip into multiple segments and get rid of any particular part after selecting it and pressing the “Delete” button.

Step 3: Trim Your Video

Trimming allows you to remove scenes from the video without cutting them. However, you can only trim videos from the start or end of the clip.

Take your mouse at the edge of the clip until it changes its shape. Then hold the edge by pressing and holding the right button of your mouse, and drag it backwards.

This screenshot shows that the trimmed part is nowhere to be seen in the video. So click the “Play” button to see the result.

And when you’re done cutting and trimming, click the “Export” button to save your file.

How to Apply Filters to a Video?

Filters give a pro look to your videos. You can use filters like black and white, vintage, and more to provide a new feel to your clips. With Filmora, it is quite simple to apply filters to your files. So why don’t you try it yourself by following the steps below?

Step 1: Import Videos to Filmora

Upload your video in the media library and drag it to the timeline.

Step 2: Select and Apply Filters

Go to the “Effects” library and click on the “Filter&LUT” option to see all the free and premium filters.

Choose any filter of your choice and drag it over the main clip on a new track.

Play the video to see the changes in the preview screen.

You can also paste the filter on the main clip if you want to apply the effect on the entire filter. This demo screenshot shows that the “Movie 9” filter is dragged and dropped on the clip. The “Star icon” in the yellow box denotes that the filter has been applied all over the video.

Contrarily, you can also delete this or any other effect by right-clicking on the clip, choosing the “Effect” from the menu and selecting “Delete Effect.”

How to Rotate and Flip a Video?

Although rotation and flip are common effects, they are useful in many ways. You can apply them to give your video a mirror effect or turn it at 360 degrees. Here’s the tutorial.

Step 1: Select and Import Videos to the Timeline

Get your video to the timeline by importing it from your computer. Then double-click on the clip to enter settings.

Step 2: Use the Rotation Tool

Click on the “Transform” option and ensure it's check marked.

You will see the “Rotate” option with an adjustment bar. For example, have a look at the screenshot below. The “red box” represents the “Rotate” feature, and the “yellow box” shows the adjustment bar. So, click and hold the circle on the adjustment bar to notice video rotation on the preview screen.

Step 3: Apply the Flip Tool to Your Video

See the “Flip” option below the “Rotate” feature. You will notice two options next to flip the video (see the yellow box). Click the first “flip icon” to flip the video vertically. Likewise, you can also flip your clip horizontally by clicking the second “flip icon.” After you finish flipping, click on the “OK” button, preview the video, and save your file through the “Export” button.

Part 4: How to Apply Special Video Effects to a Video

Feel free to revise the list of special video effects mentioned in part 2 of this article. Because in this section, you will be learning their applications.

How to Apply Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Effect to a Video?

The PiP effect lets you add two videos, one above the other. This technique is mostly used by YouTubers and content creators, especially in the “review” and “gameplay” videos.

Step 1: Import Your Video Files into the Media Library

Open Filmora and add two videos to the library from your computer.

Step 2: Drag and Drop Videos on the Timeline

Drag and drop clips on the timeline, and keep both videos on different tracks. Also, make sure your videos are equal in length so that both are finished simultaneously. You can do that by using the trimming technique in Filmora.

Step 3: Adjust the Top Video’s Size

Click to select the video in the top track. Then go to the preview screen, and use your mouse to hold the adjustment pointers to adjust the clip’s size.

Step 4: Reposition the Top Video

After adjusting the size, grab the top video using your mouse to reposition it. Usually, the overlapped videos are placed on any one of the four corners of the screen.

Step 5: Save the Video by Exporting it to Your Computer

Once done, click the “Play” button on the preview screen to see the results. Then, click the “Export” button to save your new PiP video on your PC or Mac.

How to Apply Split Screen Effect to a Video?

You can play multiple videos in a single frame through the split screen effect. So here’s how you can use the split screen technique in Filmora.

Step 1: Choose Your Split Screen Template

Open Filmora and click on the “Templates” tab.

Select “Split Screen” from the left-side menu.

You can scroll down to see different template categories that meet your requirements.

If you are interacting with this effect for the first time, it is recommended to choose templates from the “Basic” category.

Note: If you’re using Filmora 10, you can directly click on the “Split Screen” tab on the main interface.

Step 2: Drag and Drop the Split Screen Template to the Timeline

Pick a split screen template from the available options.

Drag and drop it into the timeline.

Then, move the playhead across the template to analyze all segmented screens of the template.

Step 3: Drag and Drop Videos on Each Screen

Since the template used for this demonstration has four screens, four different clips are selected from the “Stock Media” library.

However, feel free to use your own videos by importing them from your computer’s hard drive.

Drag each video from the library and drop it on each screen. After dropping all four videos to different screens, this is how your preview screen should look.

Play the entire video to see the results, and click the “Export” button to save the split screen video on your computer.

How to Apply Motion Tracking Effect to a Video?

With the help of the “Motion Tracking” effect, you can run objects with subjects. So the next time you see people running in a marathon with moving name labels. Know that some professional video editor has applied the motion tracking special effect. And this is how you can apply it too.

Step 1: Import and Drop Files on the Timeline

Choose a video from your computer.

Drag and drop it into the timeline. If multiple subjects in the video need to be labeled, make a duplicate clip and place it above the original. 

Note: If there is only one subject you wish to label, avoid making duplicate tracks.

Step 2: Choose Motion Tracking from Video Settings

Click the “Eye” icon to hide the duplicate track (top video).

Then, double the bottom video (original track) to view the “Video Settings” option.

Scroll down to the “Motion Tracking” option and ensure it has a checkmark.

You will observe an additional frame added over the clip that is visible on the preview screen.

Step 3: Adjust the Frame Over the Subject

Grab the frame and place it over the first subject. For example, the frame is placed on a man wearing yellow trousers.

Adjust the frame size according to the height and width of the subject.

Step 4: Activate the Motion Tracking Feature

Click on the “Start Tracking” icon in the video settings.

Wait a few seconds or minutes to let Filmora read the subject's movements, and then click the “Ok” button.

Now, go to the duplicate video and unhide it by clicking on the “Eye” icon. Repeat the entire process till step 4 and hide the clip again.

Step 5: Use Title to Make Labels

Click the “Title” option from the main interface.

Choose a title from the list and drag and drop it on the timeline and above both tracks.

Double click the title effect on the timeline to edit the name, and click the “Ok” button when you’re done editing the label.

Step 6: Sync Motion Tracking with the Title

Double click the bottom track to enter video settings.

Go to the “Motion Tracking” option and click on the dropdown menu.

Choose the name of the title you used as a label (“Callout 2” is used for this tutorial), and click the “Ok” button.

Now preview the video to see the motion tracking.

Note: Repeat the same steps to add motion tracking with a name label for the second subject.

How to Apply 3D Elements Effect to a Video?

Do you wonder how some videos have animated names and icons, such as a like button, subscribe bell, and more? They are called 3D Elements in Filmora, and you can use them for branding and other purposes. Here’s how you can begin.

Step 1: Import Videos to the Media Library

Click the “Media” icon to import videos in Filmora. Then, drag and drop them on the timeline.

Step 2: Select Element Effect

Click on the “Elements” option.

Click on the “Recommended” option to see different 3D elements effects. From them, choose the most suitable one as per your liking.

Step 3: Drag and Drop Effect on the Timeline

Drag and drop the effect on a new track above the main video file.

Move the “Playhead” or click the “Play” button to see how the effect looks on the video.

Step 4: Adjust and Reposition the Effect

The icon from the “Elements” effect could be bigger, covering the main video scenes. So, to adjust the size, click on the “icon” to make the adjustment circles appear, as shown in the screenshot.

Grab any corner points/circles (as seen in the “yellow” square) using your mouse to shrink or enlarge the icon’s size.

Then, position the effect on the most suitable position, like this.

After that, click the “Play” button to see how the animation appears on the video

If nothing else is to be done, click the “Export” button to save the video to your system.

How to Apply Blur Effect to a Video?

The blur effect can make your videos more professional. Gladly, Filmora is one of those video effects software that gives you a wide range of blurring effects. So let’s find out how to add blur to your videos.

Step 1: Add Videos to the Timeline

First, upload files to Filmora’s media library from your computer. Then, drag and drop the videos on the timeline.

Step 2: Choose and Apply Blur Effect

Click the “Effects” tab.

Select the “Recommended” option from the left-side menu, and write “Blur” in the search field to quickly get the list of blur effects.

Click on any of the effects and drag it above the main video track, as shown in the screenshot.

Feel free to adjust the blur effect, then click the “Play” button to see how it works.

Lastly, save the file on your computer using the “Export” button.

Conclusion

Wondershare Filmora allows you to apply basic and special video effects from a single software. You can use basic effects in your videos, such as transitions, cut and trim, filters, and rotating. On the other hand, this software permits you to add special effects, including PiP, split screen, 3D animation, blur and motion tracking. Besides, Filmora is easy to use, and you can apply all your favorite effects within a few minutes.

FAQs

Q1. Is Filmora free software?

Filmora is an excellent video editing tool for all users. You can download the trial version of Filmora and use it with watermarks for unlimited time. Contrarily, you can also purchase Filmora to experience all the premium effects and save your projects without watermarks.

Q2. How do you make video effects on Filmora?

Filmora is a professional video effects software that allows you to make artistic and inspiring videos by adding basic and special effects. It has a broad range of filters, transitions, and special effects that you can use on videos.

Q3. Can Filmora animate?

Indeed, Filmora permits you to include animations in your videos. In fact, you can choose from a variety of 3D animation templates from its “Elements” menu to grab your viewers’ attention.