Video overlays are the best. We love this trick so much because it unlocks unlimited creativity in video editing.

Now you can discover this magic yourself. With this technique, you have the power to:

• overlay videos, pictures, texts or other elements on another video and vice versa;
• mix two or more pieces of footage into one composition;
• create an overlay for a selected area in a video.

And that's just scratching the surface! In this tutorial you’ll find out everything you need to master this fantastic feature and learn how to create beautiful video overlays in Video Editor.

Now, when it comes to the technical side of the process, video overlays are incredibly easy. You’ll be able to create one using practically any non-linear video editor. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to do it using VSDC – a free video editing program for Windows. It’s free, it requires little space on your PC, and it offers tons of possibilities for creators.

Looking for a free video editor to create stunning overlays?

Download VSDC Free Video Editor

Below, we’ll briefly go over creating video overlays and show you a couple of ideas you might want to try on your own. So, let’s just dive right in.

What does “video overlay” mean?

Video overlays are directly related to the idea behind non-linear video editing. And if you’ve never worked in a non-linear video editor before, here is what you need to know. Unlike linear software that forces you to place media files one after another in a direct sequence (think Movie Maker), non-linear editors give you much more freedom. You can layer videos and images one over another, place them side by side or even diagonally on the same scene. You can also adjust the opacity level for each file, which means an image can serve as a half-transparent layer placed over a video – or vice versa. And that brings us to the main point…

When you add a layer with a media file (image or video) over your existing footage to blend them into one composition, you create an overlay.

There are many ways to do it, and based on your goals, you may have in mind any of the following:

• Light or color effect overlays (see the example above)
• A watermark placed on a video (half-transparent text object over footage)
• A picture-in-picture effect (video playing in a small window over another video)

Technically, all the above can be considered as an overlay but in the instruction below, we’ll focus on the first one.

If you need to create a cinemagraph, add a watermark to a video or create a picture-in-picture effect, just check out the links.

How do you overlay videos in VSDC?

There are several ways to add an overlay into your video. Here is the easiest one:

1. Launch VSDC and use the “Import content” button to add your main creative: video or image.

   

2. Now that the file is on the timeline, make a double-click on it – a new tab will open.
3. The next step is to add your overlay video to the scene. Use the “Add object” button in the upper left corner, proceed to “Video” and upload the overlay you’ve chosen. There are several websites where you can download royalty-free overlay videos for your project. For this tutorial, we’ve used Videvo.

   

4. Move to the left side of the timeline and open the “Blend” menu. Select “Screen” and watch how two files get blended.
   

   

5. Go to the “Tools” menu at the top and click on the wrench icon. Adjust the opacity level of the overlay if you want to make it more transparent.
6. On a very basic level, this is it. You can go ahead and save your video to PC using the “Export project” tab.

At this point, you can set your creative spirit free and start playing with the settings. For example, you may want to layer the effect partially or make the overlay gradually disappear. You may also use blending modes to change the way your footage is blended. Here are three ideas for you to practice.

Create a photomotion effect

Photomotion is a popular effect that can help you bring still images to life. Using video overlays, you can add moving clouds to the sky area in the photo, make snow fall, or create water movement. It all depends on where your imagination leads you.

To create a photomotion, import a still image instead of a video as your main creative, make a double click on it and add an overlay. Resize the overlay by cropping the video, change its opacity, and place over the area you want to bring to life. Voila!

Use video overlays to create cinematic transitions

Video overlays are used to set the tone and add emotions. For instance, wedding videos often contain the famous light leaks overlay because it creates such a dreamy, romantic look.

Light leaks – and overlays in general – can also serve as a perfect, authentic transition between scenes. Learn how to apply a light leaks transition in VSDC from the tutorial below:

Practically any dynamic overlay video will make a good transition. Watch this video showing how to create a simple glitch transition if you need more ideas.

Create a double exposure effect

The last trick we’re about to show you is so impressive and sooo easy to replicate, you won’t believe your eyes.

If you aren’t familiar with the double exposure technique, it uses the same principles as a video overlay, although it’s applied to photos more often than to videos. The outcome is a composition of two or more images blended in a unique way. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating a double exposure video with a smoke overlay:

1. Launch VSDC and use the “Import content” button to add your main video.
2. Add the smoke overlay using the “Add object” button. You can find one on free stock video marketplaces like Videezy or Videvo.
3. Select the overlay, go to the “Video effects” menu, proceed to “Adjustments” and select “Inverse”.
4. Move to the left side of the timeline, open the “Blend” menu and select “Screen”.
5. Adjust the opacity of the smoke level if needed using the “Tools” menu.

Here is a 1-minute long video guide to using smoke overlay:

Ready to put this into practice? Then go ahead – download VSDC, a few overlay videos to experiment with, and let your creativity take over.

Enjoy!

Thank you for choosing VSDC. We appreciate your decision and hope that you are satisfied with your purchase. However, we understand that circumstances can change, and you may need to request a refund. This information aims to guide you through the process of canceling your subscription and requesting a refund.

Please note that this refund policy applies exclusively to purchases made through www.videosoftdev.com, and you can request a refund within 30 days of purchase or within 3 days of subscription renewal. Once our support team confirms the refund, it will be processed within 10 business days to your bank account, credit card, or the original payment method you used.

If you have any additional questions or would like to request a refund, please do not hesitate to contact us at www.videosoftdev.com/support.

How to request a refund

To initiate a refund for your subscription, please contact our customer support directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. In your request, kindly include the following details:

1. Describe your request: Clearly state that you are requesting a refund for your subscription.
2. Specify the reason for the refund: Provide a brief explanation of why you are requesting a refund.
3. Attach the invoice confirming the purchase: Make sure to include the invoice that verifies the purchase was made within 30 days, or within 3 days in the case of a license renewal. The invoice should contain all the relevant purchase information, such as the purchaser's name, the email address where the license key was sent, and the order number.

If you are unable to provide an invoice or initiate the refund request beyond the specified time frames (30 calendar days for regular purchases or 3 days for license renewals), unfortunately you will not be eligible for a refund. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Refund Process

When you request a refund, our support team aims to respond within 72 hours. If your request includes all the necessary information and meets the refund timeline requirements, you will receive confirmation that your refund has been processed.

In case your request is missing some information, our support team may reach out to you for additional details to verify your purchase and conduct further investigations according to the provided information before proceeding with the refund.

Once you receive confirmation of the refund, your subscription will be automatically canceled, and the associated license key will be deactivated. This deactivation ensures that the license key cannot be reactivated or used again.

It's important to note that upon approval of the refund, any access or benefits associated with the subscription will be terminated. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.

Refund Processing Timeframe

We aim to handle, verify, and process refund requests within a span of three business days. Once a refund is approved, the time it takes for the funds to be returned to your card may vary. It typically takes an additional three business days, but this duration can be longer depending on the payment method you selected during the license purchase. For instance, if you opted for a wire transfer, please note that it may take between 3 to 5 business days for the funds to be received.

If we have processed your refund but you have not received your funds yet, we recommend reaching out to the company that issued your credit card or contacting your bank. Sometimes, the refund process may require additional time for the funds to be credited to your account. If you have not received the refund after a period of 10 business days, please feel free to contact our support team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further assistance.