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How do I add timed effects & annotations?

Learn more about how to use effect animations in AI Studios

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Written by Eric Seyoung Jang

In this help doc

An effect is a ready-made graphic, such as a check mark, an underline, or an arrow, that appears when the avatar reaches a word in the script. This doc shows how to add an effect, move it on the canvas, change or remove it, and preview it.

Add an effect at a point in the script

To add an effect:

  1. In the script, click where you want the effect to appear, for example just before a word.

  2. Click Effect in the bar below the script. Hover over the icons there to see their names.

  3. Click an effect. A numbered marker, such as 1 Effect, appears in the script, and the effect appears on the canvas with the same number.

Clicking in the script, opening Effect, and choosing a check mark

The effects include lines and highlights, stars, check marks, crosses, a circle, a dot, an arrow, a pointing hand, a light bulb, a bell, thumbs up and down, and numbers 1 to 5.

Move or resize the effect

To place the effect where it should draw attention, drag it on the canvas. Drag a corner handle to make it bigger or smaller.

Dragging the check mark effect to another spot on the canvas

Change or remove an effect

To change or remove an effect:

  1. Click its marker in the script.

  2. Click another effect to replace it, or click Clear effect to remove it.

Clicking the effect marker, choosing a circle, and pointing to Clear effect

Preview the effect

In the editor, the effect stays on the canvas so that you can place it. To see the effect in the finished scene:

  1. Click Full-screen preview (⛶) in the bar above the scene list.

  2. Click Make preview video. The preview video of the current scene includes your effects. It doesn't use credits.

Note: For more about previews, see How do I preview my script & video?

Note: Effects are ready-made graphics. To animate your own text, images, or shapes, use Animate instead. See How do I add animations to images, videos, & text in my scene?

FAQ

When should I use effects?
Use them to point out a key word or visual, to guide viewers to a part of the screen at the right moment, and to keep viewers engaged.

How many effects should I add?
Keep them few and balanced. Too many effects can distract viewers and may lead to an Error 999.

Can I copy or duplicate an effect?
No. To add the same effect again, place your cursor in the script and add it from Effect.

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