Picture in Picture Effect in CapCut

This tutorial is to explain how to do a quick “Picture in Picture” effect edit in the free version of CapCut.

Step 1: Install the free version of CapCut.

https://www.capcut.com/

Step 2: Launch CapCut and click “Create Project” at the top.

Step 3: Click the “Import” menu then click the “Import” button to bring your footage into the clip library.

In this example we will have the Steam video game footage and then video footage of the reviewer for the picture in picture.

Step 4: Drag and drop the video game recording clip onto the timeline first.

Step 5: Drag the footage of the reviewer directly above the first clip. Layering this track above creates another video track on top of the first.

Step 6: Highlight the top track and move the playhead over the top clip so you get a preview of the video in the Player window. The playhead is the white colored line showing you the exact frame you are on.

Step 7: The right panel contains the clip properties for the clip you actively have highlighted. Here you can choose to “Scale” down the reviewer clip to make it smaller in size for this “Picture in Picture” effect. The scale was changed from 100% to 35%. Then you can move it around freely inside of the Player window by grabbing it with the selection tool (A). With the clip still highlighted you can also manipulate the handles on the corners of the clip to adjust the size in the Player window. I’ve positioned it in the lower right corner of the frame.

Step 8: Use the Razor blade tool (shortcut = B) to make cuts to your clips or the context sensitive trimming to remove the unwanted footage off the start and end of your clips. With the Select tool (shortcut = A) you can trim a clip by hovering the mouse over the left or right edge of a clip and by dragging the clip inwards. This will remove that section of the clip.

Note: You can restore footage back by hovering the mouse over the edge of a clip and dragging the clip edge in the opposite direction. It’s non destructive.

Step 7: Highlight a clip to use the Audio menu in the Properties Panel on the right to balance the volume between the picture in picture and the other video clips. You can also adjust the volume from the black line on the audio waveform on the clip itself. With the Volume slider on the right you can be more precise with how many decibels to raise or lower the audio, by typing in a value manually.

Step 8: When you are finished editing click the Export button in the upper right corner.

Step 9: Export settings:

Give the file a name and choose a location to save to.

Video

Resolution: 1080p

Bitrate: 12,000 - 15,000 is good

Codec: H.264 or HEVC

Format: .mp4

Frame rate: 30 or 60 fps

Note: The audio checkbox and section is to create a separate audio track. The audio is otherwise included in the video.