Get started with Effect Maker

Effect Maker allows you to create and personalize your own effects. You have the option to create simple or complex interactive effects. Once you have created a project, you can upload images, create or add filters, and make other adjustments until you’re satisfied with the appearance of your effect. After they are published, eligible creators can then use your effects when recording Shorts.

Create Effects with Effect Maker

Requirements for Effect Creation

• To use this feature, you'll need a YouTube Account and a desktop computer.
• Select users that have access to the advanced features for YouTube Creators are eligible to use Effect Maker. Learn how to gain access to the advanced features .
• To use Effect Maker, you need to be located in one of our available regions:

• Effects require a name, thumbnail, and adherence to the content guidelines. Learn more about the guidelines for Effect Maker .

Navigate Effect Maker

Note:Log into your account, or create a channel if you don't already have one.

1. Go to Effect Maker .
2. On the Create, select Addunder “Start a project,” or select one of the Effect templates to get started. Learn how to create effects with the GEN AI feature .
   Note:You can also create, edit, and publish effects for other channels if you have been granted permissions to their channel . Once you’ve accepted access to another channel, you will be able to switch your active channel within Effect Maker to see the delegated role, effect projects, and relevant analytics. You will not be able to delete effect projects for another channel.

Main panel

• Objects & Assets :
  • Objects:Allow you to change objects’ attributes, such as their position, rotation, or opacity. In Effect Maker, the order in which objects are rendered is determined by their position in the Object panel.
  • Assets:The Assets panel is where you can upload and manage assets. This panel stores all the elements you may need to build an effect like images and LUTs (color filters).
• Visual Effects 
  • Color filter:Capture a style or mood by creating a new filter or uploading a LUT to import a color filter.
  • Particles:Add dynamic particle effect animations like sparkles, confetti, or smoke across the screen.
• Image :
  • Images:Add an image to the effect or add multiple images to create an image sequence animation.
  • AI Image:Create effects that transform an image into an AI image using just a text description.
  • Draw:Create effects that utilize screen drawings.
  • Camera Snapshot:Allows users to capture a photo using the phone’s camera in the effect.
• Face effects :Effects that add to or modify your face.
  • Face Paint:Create makeup, face paint, and face tattoos. Use the face reference to position makeup or paint on the face in an illustration tool.
  • Face Accessory:Upload images, or 3D models to add accessories, emojis, and other decorative objects to the face.
  • Stretch:Change the proportions of a face to make it smaller, larger, or distorted. You can create your own set of stretch points.
• Camera and segmentation :
  • Body segmentation:Removes the background so that effects can be applied to the body only or the background.
  • Camera feed:Use the camera feed to create interesting camera effects like picture-in-picture, photo booths, or face zoom effect.
• Adding text :Text entry currently supports only English letters and spaces and special characters including punctuation, math symbols, currency, accents, etc.
• 3D Models & Light :
  • 3D Model:Add a 3D model (glb) to add accessories, emojis, and other decorative objects with depth.
  • Light:Add light to create realistic highlights, shadows, highlights on 3D objects. Use different lights to add realism, focus, or mood.
• Visual scripting :Visual scripting allows you to create interactive effects. Use nodes and variables to create fun and interactive effects like games.
  • Triggers:Nodes that start or activate a sequence of actions based on specific events or conditions, such as when the screen is tapped. Start, Frame Update, Record, Tap, Drag, Object Tap, Object Overlap.
  • Logic:Help you make decisions within your script by evaluating conditions and performing actions based on whether those conditions are true or false, like if an object is visible or not. And, Or, Equal, Not Equal, Greater than, Less than, less than or equal, Greater than or equal, Convert from Vector, Convert to Vector.
  • Control Flow:Control flow nodes manage the order and timing of actions in your script, allowing you to create loops, wait for a certain amount of time, or execute actions in a specific order.
  • Objects & Properties:Objects and properties nodes allow you to change objects’ attributes, such as their position, rotation, or opacity. Get Properties, Set Properties.
  • Time Utility:Delay, Transition, Animated Image player, Drag.
  • Math:Add, Subtract, Multiply, Divide, Mod, Random, Interpolate.

Properties panel

• Properties:The properties panel lets you modify elements to adjust an object's position, rotation, and colors.

Transform tools

• Dimension toggle:You can change the layout from 2D to 3D.
• Moving object :You can control how objects move.
• Rotating object :You can rotate the object around.
• Scale object :You can resize objects by clicking and dragging them.

Preview your effects

• Preview on device:Scan the QR code with your phone to view the effect.
• Pause :Halt the effect on an individual frame.
• Reset effect :Restart your effect from the beginning.
• View camera :Use your computer's camera to see a preview of the effect.
• View video :Change the model or pose on your effect preview.

Top panel

• Effect project title:You can rename the title of your project.
• Redo :Use icon to redo the changes you have made.
• Undo :Use the icon to undo the changes you have made.
• Save :Your project is automatically saved to your account as you change your project. You don't need to use a save button.
• Effects limits:Check effect file size and memory usage.
• Change layout :Change the layout.
• Preview on phone :Scan the QR code with your phone to view the effect.
• Submit:Once ready, you can submit your effects for review. Before submitting your effects, ensure you familiarize yourself with the submission process. Learn more about submitting an effect .

Frequently asked questions

File Size and Memory Usage Monitoring

The package size is limited to 5MB, and the memory usage is limited to 50MB to ensure the effect works properly on as many devices as possible.

You can check your file size and memory usage by clicking Effect limitat the top of the editor page. The information is updated each time you click the icon.