PIP videos, as the very name implies, are projects where two videos are overlaid. We have already described how to create such clips using Clideo's Video Editor and Webcam Recorder. In this article, we'll dive deeper, explaining the smallest details of that technique and discussing when to use it.

A patient reader will also gain our insights into the nuances of the process, look at modern trends and general statistics, and learn the "dos" and "don'ts." In the second half of the article, we'll provide a step-by-step guide on creating your overlay clip using the latest online tools, along with answers to the most frequently asked questions.

What is video overlay, and why use it

Video overlay is a video editing technique where the main visual is partially covered with another video, often a smaller one. For example, it can be a "talking head" in educational videos or a sign language interpreter in a news broadcast.

Beyond traditional use, more creative approaches are also possible. According to statistics, YouTube became the most used social video platform in the USA in 2023. This means the platform has significant revenue and advertising potential, but competition is fierce. To stand out and boost your visibility, you have to come up with unusual solutions.

For example, you might create a whimsical video greeting card, overlay your main video with multiple additional visuals, or work out a unique video watermark.

Types of video overlays

The "classical" overlay videos usually include other recordings. But if you want to get creative, try these options:

  • Add text. Not just common captions that change with the video, but also, for example, "travelling line" or static text.
  • Graphical elements include static or animated logos, stickers, GIFs, and other overlays. They can be solid or transparent, adding more artistic flair to your project. For example, arrows may point to some video's elements, funny stickers may complete the frame, and so on.
  • Interactive overlays feature active links, polls, clickable tags, etc.
  • Images. Old but gold. They can remain static with a changing background or change throughout the recording.

How to add overlays using Clideo

When it comes to editing tools, we believe that online solutions are unbeatable. Compatibility isn’t an issue because browser-based services are system- and device-agnostic. All your data is stored in the cloud, giving you easy access wherever you are.

Clideo offers all these advantages and more. Our tool supports various video formats, enables advanced editing, and provides a wide selection of built-in stock video and audio libraries. Follow those simple steps:

  1. Upload your file to the online video editor

    Open Clideo's Video Editor in any browser and hit the "Get started" button.

    Upload your visuals from your device, cloud storage, or built-in stock libraries. The tool supports a wide range of video and audio formats, and you can find their full list in our help article.

    Once you've gathered all the assets, open the "Canvas" tab and set up the project's aspect ratio.

  2. Overlay one video on another video

    Place your visuals on separate timelines stacked vertically. Ensure overlay videos are on upper tracks. Trim recordings if needed to match their duration.

    Drag overlay videos by the corner in the editing canvas to create a picture-in-picture effect and position them as needed, such as in the corners of the background recording. This method also allows you to add watermarks, animated logos, or subtitles.

  3. Customize the overlay

    Customize overlay videos by selecting them on the timeline and opening their settings. Now, you can crop them to remove unwanted parts, adjust their position, size, transparency, and other parameters. You can also rotate and flip the visuals or modify them as needed.

    All changes are reversible: even trimming and cropping only hide the cropped parts rather than deleting them for good. You can also avail of "Ctrl + Z" on Windows or "Command (⌘) + Z" on Mac hotkeys or the left-facing arrow at the top right part of the screen.

  4. Refine your video

    Enhance your project by adding background music, sound effects, or voiceovers. As for the former, you can pick them up in the embedded stock library or upload files from Google Drive or other sources.

    Voiceovers can be recorded directly within the tool using the "Record" or "TTS" (text-to-speech) tabs. The latter option might be especially useful for those who feel uncomfortable reading aloud or lack professional recording equipment.

    Don't forget to use the color correction feature to adjust brightness and contrast, as neglecting this step can make your project look scruffy.

  5. Previewing and saving

    When you are done, run the whole video to ensure the project meets your expectations and looks exactly how you want. If it does, click the "Export" button in the top right corner of the screen.

    Though tempting, it's better not to set the output resolution higher than the original. If you're unsure which option to select, check the help article. If your video is shorter than 30 seconds, you can save it as a GIF.

    Now the world is ready for your masterpiece! Give it a final run, export as described above, and share it on YouTube or another platform.

Frequently asked questions
How do I add video on top of video?
Easily! The main secret is about timelines. The overlay video should be placed above the background one.
Can I add text or subtitles as a video overlay?
Of course. The video editor has a "Text" feature, so you can create captions and add them as video overlays directly in the tool. For longer recordings and more detailed subtitles, though, we recommend using a dedicated subtitle creator.
What video formats are supported for overlaying videos?
The same as for the background videos. You can upload AVI, FLV, MKV, MOV, and other formats, along with images like BMP, JPG, PNG, etc.
Can I add a video overlay with a transparent background?
Yes and no. The bottom video or image can’t have a transparent background, but the top ones can. In brief, transparency depends on the alpha channel, which some (but not all) video formats support. You can add video overlays in such formats. Check out the detailed info in the help article.
Do I need advanced editing skills to add video overlays?
Not at all. Our all-in-one Video Editor is perfect for both experienced users and aspiring creators. Its user-friendly interface ensures a shallow learning curve, and non-destructive editing lets you undo changes and start fresh whenever needed.
Add video overlay
Easily layer videos on top of each other.
Conclusion
Video editing doesn't always require adding overlays, but this technique can significantly boost your project's viewer engagement and informativeness. While many options are available, Clideo remains one of the top choices. It is free, easy to use, and lets you resize videos, combine visual and audio tracks, add subtitles, and perform many other edits. Moreover, Clideo gives you complete freedom to be reckless and daring: any changes you make can be easily reversed with a click. Don't be afraid to get creative and try out different types of video overlays. The stage is yours!