How to create picture-in-picture videos

Want to make your videos stand out on the social media feed? With the picture-in-picture video layout, share two or more videos or images in the same video frame.

Whether you’re creating product demo videos, tutorials for school, or sporting highlights, the picture-in-picture video format is the perfect way to convey more information while making your video entertaining.

Read on to explore everything you need to know about the picture-in-picture video format and more ways to overlay effects like stickers and subtitles in Clipchamp.

What is a picture-in-picture video?

Picture-in-picture is a video format that overlays two videos, images, or assets in the same video frame. The picture-in-picture video layout lets viewers watch both media assets at once. Let’s look at what videos you can create using the multi-layer editing feature. 

• Gameplay and gaming videos  

• Walkthrough video tutorials 

• Demo videos and product tutorials  

• Virtual greetings and video cards  

• Screen and webcam recordings  

• Sports broadcasts and highlight videos  

• Reaction videos  

• Education videos and language learning tutorials  

• YouTube intro and outro videos 

• News broadcasts  

How to use picture-in-picture overlay in Clipchamp

Step 1. Import videos or select stock footage

To import your own videos, photos, and audio, click on the import media button in the your media tab on the toolbar to browse your computer files, or connect your OneDrive.  

You can also use free stock media like video clips, video backgrounds, and stock music. Click on the content library tab on the toolbar and click on the visuals drop down arrow, then videos, photos, or backgrounds. Search through the different stock categories using the search bar as well. 

Drag and drop your media files from the your media tab onto the timeline.

Note: Make sure your videos are stacked one above the other on the timeline. The video you would like to layer on top as the picture-in-picture, make sure to place it above your other video on the timeline. 

Step 2. Apply the picture-in-picture video layout

To make your video an overlay, click on your video on the timeline so it's highlighted green. Next, click on the three dots button on the floating toolbar. Click on the picture-in-picture button, then select either top left, top right, bottom left, or bottom right buttons.

Freely move the video clip to reposition it inside the video preview. You can also create a picture-in-picture video layout using the video corners. 

Step 3. Edit your video

Trim the length of your media assets

Easily trim the length of your videos using the green handles. Click on the video on the timeline so it’s highlighted green. Move the green handles to the left of the timeline to trim the video length. You can also use the multi-item editing feature to trim multiple assets at once.  

Add filters to change your video aesthetic

To add filters, click on the video on the timeline so it’s highlighted green, then click on the filters tab on the property panel. Here, you can find many different filters to apply to your videos. Hover over the filter to preview, then click on the filter to apply.

Add subtitles to your video

To make your video easier to watch on mute, add captions. Click on the captions tab on the property panel, then click on the turn on autocaptions button. Follow the on-screen prompts to add subtitles to your video.

Step 4. Preview and save your video

Before saving your new picture-in-picture video, make sure to preview by clicking on the play button. When you’re ready to save, click on the export button and select a video resolution. We recommend saving all videos in 1080p video resolution for the best quality. Paid subscribers can save in 4K video resolution.    

For more help, check out the help article. 

Edit with more video overlay effects

Enhance video with frame overlays

Choose neon flashing lights or decorative vintage frames to level up your video’s appearance with frame overlays. Video frames are also a style of picture-in-picture video format, where a frame can be overlayed on the top of a video or image. You can also place videos in a split screen format.  

Personalize with logos and watermarks

If you want to keep your branding consistent and recognizable, upload your logo image or by using the brand kit, then add your logo as a video overlay. You can easily turn down the transparency to make your logo a watermark as well.  

Intensify humor with GIPHY reactions and stickers

Add personality and style to your videos by overlaying GIPHY reactions and stickers. Make your videos more informative with word stickers and annotations or elevate reactions with funny GIPHY memes.  

Refine with automatic subtitles

Add clarity to your videos using various styles of animated text overlays and subtitles. Choose from a selection of fonts, colors, sizes, and positions to suit any video. 

For more help using the picture-in-picture feature, check out the YouTube tutorial.

Want to explore more video formats? Check out how to make split screen videos and YouTube reaction videos. 

Elevate your editing skills and make your videos look more professional with the picture-in-picture video format with Clipchamp or download the Clipchamp Windows app.