How to Use Shapes, Masks & Overlays in Video

Shapes and masks are where video editing becomes design. They’re the tools behind clean lower-thirds, shaped photo frames, spotlight reveals and two-clip composites. They sound advanced — but on a phone they’re just a couple of taps. Here’s how to use them.

Shapes: the graphic building blocks

A shape layer is a graphic element — a rectangle, circle, line or custom form — that lives on its own track like any other layer. Use them for:

• Lower-thirds — a color bar behind a name or caption.
• Color blocks — backdrops that make text pop.
• Badges & dividers — small graphic accents.
• Progress bars & frames — UI-style overlays.

Because they’re layers, shapes animate with keyframes, take colors from your brand palette, and stack with everything else.

Basic, Layouts, Arrows, Stars & Objects

Masks: control what’s visible

A mask hides part of a layer based on a shape. The classic uses:

Mask move	What you get
Circle / shape mask on a clip	Footage clipped into that shape — a framed photo or video
Mirror / linear mask	A soft reveal from one edge
Heart / star / triangle	Playful shaped frames
Mask + rotation	Animated wipes and spotlight reveals

Apply a circle mask to a clip and only the circle shows — everything outside becomes transparent, revealing the layer beneath. That’s the foundation of compositing: stacking two clips and choosing what shows from each.

A practical recipe: the framed reveal

1. Stack two layers

   A background (color, blurred footage, or a shader) on the bottom, your subject clip on top.

2. Mask the top clip

   Apply a circle or rounded-rectangle mask to the subject so it sits in a clean frame.

3. Animate it

   Keyframe the mask’s scale or position for a reveal — the subject grows or slides into frame. See keyframes & motion.

Where to go next

• Animate shapes and masks: keyframes & motion.
• Combine with color and effects: video effects guide.
• Use shaders as mask backgrounds: shaders & generative backgrounds.

Shapes and masks turn an editor into a design tool. Start with a lower-third and a circle-masked clip — two small wins that immediately make a video look produced.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a mask in video editing?

A mask defines which part of a layer is visible. Apply a circle mask to a clip and only the circle shows; everything outside it becomes transparent, revealing the layers below. Masks power shaped frames, spotlight reveals, and compositing two clips together.

How do I put a video inside a shape?

Add the video as a layer, then apply a shape mask (circle, heart, star, triangle or custom) to it. The footage is clipped to that shape. Position and scale it over a background layer for a framed, designed look.

What are shapes used for in video?

Shape layers create graphic elements — color blocks behind text, lower-third bars, progress bars, badges and dividers. They're the building blocks of clean, branded motion graphics, and they animate like any other layer with keyframes.