Field notes & practical guides
Create your first photo reveal
A practical workflow for composing, timing and checking a pixel reveal.
Start with the destination
Decide where the finished clip will appear before selecting a photo. A vertical frame suits a phone story; a square frame is useful for a feed tile; widescreen gives a landscape image more room. Reframing late can hide the subject that made the photo interesting. Use an image you own or are permitted to edit.
Build a short first version
Open the studio and choose a photo or a built-in sample. Keep the subject away from the edges of the preview. Select a reveal pattern, then adjust dot size and timing while watching the whole animation. A ripple emphasizes a starting point; a sweep has an obvious direction; scatter builds the image across the frame.
- Choose the aspect ratio and image fit before tuning the effect. Inspect the preview for cropped faces, text and important details.
- Start with a modest dot size. Larger dots simplify the picture; smaller dots preserve detail but increase the amount of drawing work.
- Choose one motion pattern and preview it before adding a strong color filter. With Ripple selected, click the preview to change its center.
- Adjust the total length and pop duration separately. A longer video is not automatically a clearer reveal: the subject should become recognizable before the viewer loses interest.
- Play the entire result, export a short test, and open the saved file outside the studio.
Check the finished clip
Look at both the first and final frame. Make sure the reveal starts intentionally and ends with a readable image. Compare the preview and export for cropping or a different background. If a phone struggles, reduce image size or simplify the effect before increasing the duration. Keep an untouched original so another attempt does not depend on recovering a browser tab.