Learning time: 30 min

In OBS effects are called "Filters". A filter can be applied to a source, to a group, or to a scene. Filters can be added by right-clicking on a source/scene and then selecting "Filters".

Common filters are:

Depending on the source type, different filters will be available (audio/video filters and effect filters). As we have not covered audio in detail so far, we will be focusing on non-audio filters in this section.

Some filters are included by default in OBS, whereas we'll need to install plugins to add other ones. Filters will boost your creativity and allow you to create great effects for your presentation.

This filter allows you to add a mask to a source. One of it's main applications is to create a custom masked camera shape.
Select your camera scene ➡ right click on the camera source ➡ filters ➡ in effect filters click on "+" ➡ mask/blend

We will use the color channel of an image to create a camera mask. To do so you need a black and white image with the shape you want to give to your camera. If for example you want a circle camera, you'll have to create a white circle on black background image with the same resolution as your camera (e.g. if your camera is 1080p, then create a 1080p black rectangle with a white circle on top). In the Path field click on "browse" and select the mask image. You can then play with the opacity of the masked camera.

You can create your own masks in PowerPoint or Canva.com. Watch the video lesson to learn more about it.  Here below you will find some masks that are ready for you to save on your computer and use.

A mask can also be applied to any other image, video or color source using the same method

In the next lesson you'll learn the best practice of applying filters to nested scenes