---
title: "Adding Visual Effects"
url: "https://www.clueso.io/cluebooks/making-tasteful-screen-recording-videos--adding-visual-effects"
updated: "2026-09-11T08:57:52.876Z"
---

# Adding Visual Effects

## 8.1 Zooms & Pans

What you're creating: Subtle, anchor-point zooms that draw the viewer's eye to the right element — soft easing, no more than 15%.

**Use 5–10% push-ins to emphasize an element — like a button, label, or setting**

Avoid zooming in more than 15% unless showing tiny UI (e.g., a tiny gear icon or dropdown)

Anchor zooms to the element of focus, not the dead center of the screen

Add soft ease-ins and outs (120–200 ms) so zooms feel natural, not abrupt

> **Note:** Pro Tip: With Custom Zoom in Clueso, you can add subtle, precise zooms that draw the viewer's eye exactly where you want — highlighting buttons, menus, or key actions as needed.

![](https://d37f9k611f70xr.cloudfront.net/framer-1784765015004-wc4bdq5hsu-RMydcxpT7ykeWbya4uXGbcWsRhs.gif)

---

## 8.2 Highlights

What you're creating: Light, clean visual cues — soft rectangles or semi-transparent masks — that spotlight areas without distracting rings or effects.

**Use soft rectangles or semi-transparent masks to spotlight areas**

Click highlights: a subtle 200–300 ms pulse at low opacity is enough to signal interaction — avoid exaggerated ripple effects unless part of your brand look

> **Note:** Pro Tip: Clueso lets you highlight sections of your UI with rectangles and arrows. You can also use the Spotlight feature to fade out the rest of the screen and keep just one element in focus.

![](https://d37f9k611f70xr.cloudfront.net/framer-1784766181214-wdn7z9vbd3e-o6seosYL6xcyTXtsQWaA3Jt0ak.gif)

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## 8.3 Callouts

What you're creating: On-brand callouts in a single consistent style — positioned outside the focal area, never covering the UI being explained.

**Use a single style for all callouts: match your brand's primary color, corner radius, and drop shadow**

Keep fonts legible and sentence case only

Position callouts outside the focal area — use a subtle leader line (thin, soft color) to point

Never cover the UI you're explaining — let the interface breathe

> **Note:** Pro Tip: To draw instant attention to a setting, shortcut, or button, use callouts in Clueso.

![](https://d37f9k611f70xr.cloudfront.net/framer-1784766221500-nx0az2eh9fl-ppO4owNfO3nDyC1XdMzTAN2NtI.gif)

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## 8.4 Blur & Redaction

What you're creating: Consistent, on-brand blur applied to any sensitive data — same style across all shots.

**Protect sensitive data with Gaussian blur or pixelation, depending on what blends best with your UI**

Apply the same style across all shots — a sudden switch between blur types looks sloppy

> **Note:** Pro Tip: Clueso lets you instantly blur out emails, API keys, order numbers, or anything you don't want visible.

![](https://d37f9k611f70xr.cloudfront.net/framer-1784766264197-p6yzy2qz2fi-EK0IVwXkckT2PNg7nvii3O2snk.gif)

---

## 8.5 Shortcuts & Keystrokes

What you're creating: Brief, well-placed keystroke overlays — shown only for recommended paths and auto-hidden after 2–3 seconds.

**Only show overlays for recommended paths — not every possible option**

Place overlays in the bottom-left corner, away from the main action

Keep them short — 2–3 seconds on screen, then auto-hide

Use clean, legible fonts in sentence case or proper casing — e.g., "Cmd + Shift + 5"

Goal: Guide attention with intentional visual cues — subtly, consistently, and only when needed

Zoom range: 5–10% push-in, max 15%

Ease duration: 120–200 ms

Click pulse: 200–300 ms at low opacity

Keystroke overlays: bottom-left, 2–3 s then auto-hide

## Adding Visual Effects

Once your rough cut is locked, it's time to add visual polish. The rule of thumb: subtle, consistent, purposeful. They guide the eye and create flow without calling attention to themselves.\<
\>\*\*Goal:\*\* Use zooms, highlights, and callouts to guide the eye — subtly, consistently, and only when needed.

Guide attention with intentional visual cues.