In the last guide, we walked through the basics of recording and editing your first video. Now we’re taking things a step further by exploring two tools that help your videos stand out: layouts and overlays. These features give you control over how your video looks, how your content is arranged and how your message comes across.

Layouts

At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see layout options like picture in picture, circle, split half and half or split into thirds. Layouts let you combine multiple camera angles or sources into one frame, which is especially helpful for tutorials, reactions and presentations.

If you want to show slides while recording yourself, choose a split layout and then go to Sources. There, you can replace one of the windows with an image or video file of your slides. Your slides will appear on one side, your video feed on the other and in seconds you’ll have a clean, professional presentation. You can do this before recording or after.

Inside Sources, choose the slot you want to replace — top, bottom, front or back — depending on the layout you’re using. This ensures you always control what appears in each window.

Customizing your layout

Once your layout is set, you can adjust the aspect ratio to match where you plan to post your video: vertical for TikTok and Reels, horizontal for YouTube or square for social feeds.

You can also change the shape of your video window. Instead of a standard rectangle, try a speech bubble, rounded frame, device mockup or a simple fade for softer edges.

To add depth, open the shadow options. You’ll find shadows like drop shadow, glow, outline or blur — each one helps your video stand out from the background.

And if you want to remove your background completely, turn on the masking toggle on the left. It works like a virtual green screen, isolating you so you can place yourself over slides, another camera feed or any background you choose.

Overlays

Tap Overlay and you’ll see three tools: Text, Draw and Image.

• Text lets you add titles, notes or labels. You can style your text, change colors and add simple animations.

• Draw gives you markers and brushes so you can circle important moments or sketch ideas directly on your video. You can animate drawings and adjust their opacity.

• Image allows you to add logos, stickers or photos. Like text and drawings, images can be animated and styled to fit your video.

Every overlay can be selected and edited at any time. Drag them along the timeline to adjust when they appear, how long they stay on screen and where they sit inside the frame.

In the next guide, we’ll explore teleprompter and captions to help your videos look even more polished and clear. See you in the next one.