Enhancing your video with images

When presenting content, there are times when a specific product, webpage, or software might be referenced but not displayed on the screen. In these instances, it's beneficial to import an image or relevant visual to provide context for your viewers.

Moving beyond static images

Adding a mere static image on top of your timeline could be perceived as mundane. Instead, let’s explore how to enhance your visuals with some animation for added appeal.

Replacing existing content

In our current project, we're going to replace content added in a previous video. Originally, we added a screen-recorded video discussing a GitHub repository. Now, we'll replace that with an image to allow for more control.

Importing and positioning your image

First, open your Finder and drag the desired image—captured via macOS's built-in screen recording tool—into your timeline. This allows you to edit its duration or trim as necessary.

Adding animation to your images

To bring life to the image, consider adding background, animations, and movements:

Creating a background

1. Ensure your image has space for a background.
2. Right-click in your project panel, select 'New item', and create a color matte.
3. Choose a background color inspired by your screenshot to ensure it doesn't compete visually. Desaturate it so your focal image stands out.

Implementing animation

1. Decide where your image should end its animation before it starts moving off-screen.
2. Use keyframes to animate from below the screen to its final intended position.
3. To maintain a smooth transition, adjust keyframe interpolation settings to 'ease in' and 'ease out'.

Fine-tuning the animation with bezier handles

Utilize bezier handles for a finer animation curve, enhancing smoothness and adding a professional touch. By adjusting these parameters, you can control how briskly or leisurely your animation transitions appear.

Adding additional animation effects

Consider adding a subtle scale effect that slowly magnifies the image over the duration of its display. A 20-30% scaling introduces a dynamic element to the presentation that maintains viewer interest.

Elevate your animation game

This guide has illustrated the basics of incorporating animation and enhancing static images within your screencast. Although we covered primary principles due to time constraints, further enhancements like adding grain or rotation can uplift your final product. Stay tuned for the next segment where we'll apply these principles to face cam and screen footage, further delving into light animations and their impact.