How to create picture-in-picture videos in CapCut

In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to create picture-in-picture videos with CapCut. Want to show yourself narrating another clip? Picture-in-picture effects are perfect for you. And they’re a breeze to use in CapCut.

What is a picture-in-picture video?

So, what is a picture-in-picture video? Odds are, you may have heard the term. But what does it really mean?

These are popular for “talking head” videos where you add commentary to catchy videos. In short, it’s a small video that overlays another video on a screen. With picture-in-picture, you can place one video thumbnail atop a larger playback.

Picture-in-picture effects in CapCut give you the flexibility to add commentary to video footage.

Imagine, for example, that you’re watching a TikTok video on your phone. It fills the screen, often in vertical orientation. Now, imagine having the ability to place a second video atop the first.

Both play simultaneously. The second video (picture-in-picture) is tucked away in one corner. It’s a compelling and easy way to show two completely different videos at once.

Why build picture-in-picture CapCut videos?

With CapCut, you can easily make your own picture-in-picture videos. It only takes a few steps! But what are the advantages to these? Why is it worth your time to actually edit and share a picture-in-picture video using CapCut?

Consider this:

You can make reaction videos. Reaction videos feature content creators “reacting” to other videos. Picture-in-picture is a common effect here. That way, audiences can see both the original content and the reaction to it at one time.
They’re perfect teaching tools. Do you use CapCut for tutorials or educational videos? Picture-in-picture effects can show yourself talking, overlaid with a presentation or whiteboard background.
You can maximize limited screen real estate. While they don’t have to be, CapCut videos are most often shared on social media. Social media, in turn, is usually viewed on small screens. With picture-in-picture, you can make the most of limited space.
Your work will stand out. Not just every video online features picture-in-picture effects. They’re sure to snag a second look from your audience.

As you can see, the benefits of picture-in-picture videos are many. Now, let’s learn how to create them using the CapCut mobile app – step by step!

How to create picture-in-picture videos in CapCut (step by step)

It’s not hard to create picture-in-picture videos with CapCut. We’ll demonstrate the steps using CapCut on an iOS 17 mobile device. You can also download CapCut from the Google Play store, if you’re an Android user. It’s also available for macOS and Windows PCs. The workflow may vary slightly from version to version.

As we work in CapCut, you’ll see two video clips in use. Both are beautiful stock footage sourced from Envato Elements. You can download the clips here and here if you want to follow along.

1. Import a video

The first step to using picture-in-picture effects is importing your very first video into CapCut. To do that, open CapCut on your device. On the main screen, you’ll see a menu bar at the bottom. On it are tabs labeled Edit, Templates, Library, Inbox, and Me.

From these, select Edit on the left. You’ll find yourself on the main video editing workspace. Look near the top of the screen. There’s a blue box that reads New project. To import a video into CapCut, click New project.

Tap New project, then browse to a stored video file. Tap to add and import it.

New project launches your Camera Roll. That’s your device’s media library. Go ahead and browse to a video file that you want to import. This may be a file that you downloaded or saved. Or, it can be a video that you recorded with your device camera.

Tap on the video’s thumbnail to select it. Then, in the lower right corner, tap the blue Add button. CapCut will set about importing your video. In a few moments, you’ll see it onscreen and ready to use! It may take a little longer, depending on the length and file size of your video.

2. Launch the Overlay panel

You’re now on the Edit panel where you work with footage in CapCut. It’s here that all effects, filters, and edits are made. It’s really the nerve center for CapCut video production. Front and center, you can see your video in view. This is a real-time preview: any edit or effect that you add will be shown in real time.

Just below the preview is the Timeline. It’s a filmstrip that lets you move through a video clip frame-by-frame. And finally, at the bottom, is the Menu toolbar. It’s here that you can choose from the array of edits and effects available in CapCut.

Find and launch the Overlay panel using CapCut’s Menu bar.

Let’s use the Menu bar to add a picture-in-picture video. To do that, look at the listed options. You’ll see Edit, Audio, Text, Effects, and more.

Near the right is the one you are looking for: Overlay. Why? Because an Overlay is what CapCut calls a picture-in-picture.

Tap Overlay and the feature will open. You’re ready to add picture-in-picture videos in CapCut!

3. Choose a second video

The Overlay panel is now open. With it, let’s import a second video. This will be the picture-in-picture video. That means it will be the smaller clip, tucked away in a corner of the original clip. At the very bottom of the CapCut screen, find and tap Add overlay.

Tap Add overlay, browse to a second video, tap it, and choose Add. This selects the video that will become your CapCut picture-in-picture design.

When you choose Add overlay, the same Camera Roll browser will appear. Remember the process of importing the first video clip? It’s the same steps to add your second video to the canvas.

Simply choose a video, tap the thumbnail, and then select Add. CapCut will now import the second video. Again, it may take a few moments if it happens to be a larger file.

4. Create the picture-in-picture video overlay

When CapCut finishes importing your second video, you’ll be taken back to the main Edit view and the Overlay panel. By default, the picture-in-picture video is placed right in the center of the original video.

Now, this generally will block the view of what you want to show. But don’t worry! Here’s the beauty of CapCut picture-in-picture effects. You can size, scale, and move them around.

Notice that the picture-in-picture video has a blue box around it. That’s CapCut telling you that the overlay can be moved. Ready? Simply drag the picture-in-picture box around with your finger. Here, for example, you can move it into one corner.

As you can see, it’s easy to move, size, and rotate a CapCut picture-in-picture video overlay like this one.

To resize it, pull on opposite corners with your fingers. This way, you can easily expand (or shrink) the picture-in-picture overlay. And finally, with a turning gesture, you can rotate the video. You could even use a quirky tilt for fun effects.

I like to try out different positions and angles for my picture-in-picture. See what looks best for you and explore unique ideas.

5. Make edits and add effects to the project

With a picture-in-picture clip, you have decisions to make. In short, you’re editing two videos at once. Viewers will see them at the same time. But you have edits to choose from for both videos.

To edit the.picture-in-picture overlay, make sure it’s selected. Do that by tapping on it. The blue border box indicates which of the clips is active. You can switch to the background video by tapping on it instead.

With the Overlay video chosen, look at the Menu bar. You have many options to choose from:

You can Split clips, creating two clips from one.
You can adjust the Speed – this accelerates or slows down a video. When used correctly, it provides a cool dramatic effect.
You can add Animations with that button. These are a sleek way to make your videos more lively. A cool animation effect is the ideal way to introduce a picture-in-picture video.
You’ll also want to specify the Volume. If both of your clips have sound, you likely don’t want all of the sound playing at once. Make sure you mute – or dramatically lower – the volume of one clip. That way, your audience will hear only what you want them to hear.

Above are some of the many editing and effects options for CapCut picture-in-picture videos.

Scrolling on to the right, you’ll see more options: Retouch, Adjust, Video quality, and more. These are the same style panels you always see in CapCut. They serve to provide maximum creative control for you as you edit.

The point here is simple: you have full CapCut video controls over both videos.This way, you can balance the two scenes, styling them independently.

6. Export and share

Finished editing your picture-in-picture video? It’s time to export and share it with the world. CapCut offers several ways to do that. To begin, look in the upper right corner of CapCut.

You’ll see the Share button. Tap it once. CapCut will set to work exporting your video. Give it a few moments – complex or longer projects take a little more time.

Tap the Share button and choose where to share your picture-in-picture video.

When you’re finished, a saved copy of the video will be on your device. You can find it in your Camera Roll. And onscreen, you’ll see several options to share directly to social media. Since CapCut is made by the creators of TikTok, TikTok is featured prominently. You can also easily share to Instagram, Facebook, and more.

More great CapCut tips and tricks

You learned how to create CapCut picture-in-picture videos. But that’s only one of many things CapCut makes easy! From the Envato Tuts+ library, here are more top video tutorials.

They feature CapCut-specific themes and top ideas for great social media viral videos. Dive in and elevate your skills today!

Use picture-in-picture CapCut video effects today

In this tutorial, I showed you how to use picture-in-picture in CapCut. It’s a simple process that’s easy to follow. Simply navigate to the Overlay menu. Choose a video for picture-in-picture. Then, place it on your canvas. You’re finished!

Post date June 26, 2024

This content originally appeared on Envato Tuts+ Tutorials and was authored by Andrew Childress