Effects and adjustment layers

Apply an effect#

1. Open Effects from the dock or Panels menu.
2. Search or choose a category.
3. Choose Selected clips, select visual clips, and use a card's + button. You can also drag an effect onto a clip.
4. Select the clip and open Inspector → Effects to adjust it.

Choose Adjustment layer to create a layer at the playhead instead. Its duration determines the section affected; position it over the material you want to treat.

Available looks#

The library includes Gaussian blur, Color grade, Vignette, Film grain, Pixelate, Chromatic aberration, Sharpen, Sepia, Posterize, and Midnight / gold duotone. Mix lets you blend a look back toward the input.

Film grain uses a fixed spatial pattern. It is not a simulation of evolving analog grain. Check fine detail and gradients at your intended output size before applying strong stylization.

Control the stack#

Inspector → Effects works on text as well as media. Reorder the stack with its earlier/later controls, bypass an effect for comparison, or remove it. Stack order changes the result: sharpening before blur differs from sharpening afterward.

Parameters that expose keyframe controls can change over time. Add a value, move the playhead, and set another value. Controls without animation support stay constant. Preview the entire affected section and review an export when using multiple heavy effects.

Transitions are separate#

Transitions are applied after the clip's other effects. Use the Transitions panel for entrances and exits, and Audio for sound fades.