Being a regular user of Zoom, I have often desired to incorporate personalized elements into my video meetings. A great way to achieve this is by including lower thirds in my Zoom videos. These are text banners that appear at the bottom of the screen, providing extra details about the speaker. This article will walk you through the steps of adding lower thirds to your Zoom recordings, while also offering some personal recommendations and insights.
Step 1: Choose a Lower Third Design
The first step in adding lower thirds to Zoom is deciding on the design you want to use. Lower thirds can be as simple as displaying your name and title or can include additional information like social media handles or company logos. There are many online resources where you can find pre-designed lower thirds templates. Alternatively, if you are feeling creative, you can design your own using graphic design software like Adobe Photoshop or Canva.
Step 2: Create Your Lower Third Graphic
Once you have chosen the design for your lower third, it’s time to create the graphic. If you are using a pre-designed template, you may need to customize it with your name and any other relevant information. If you are designing your own, make sure to consider the font, color scheme, and layout to ensure it matches your personal style or branding.
Pro tip: Keep the design simple and easy to read. Avoid using overly flashy fonts or colors that can distract from your message.
Step 3: Save Your Lower Third Graphic
After creating your lower third graphic, save it as a transparent PNG file. This file format allows the text and graphics to overlay seamlessly on your Zoom video. Make sure to remember the location where you saved the file, as you will need it in the next step.
Step 4: Use OBS Studio to Add the Lower Third to Zoom
In order to add the lower third to your Zoom video, we will be using OBS Studio, a free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. OBS Studio allows you to create custom scenes and overlays that can be used in Zoom and other video conferencing platforms.
First, download and install OBS Studio from the official website. Once installed, open OBS Studio and follow these steps:
- Create a new scene by clicking on the plus icon under the Scenes section.
- Add a new source by clicking on the plus icon under the Sources section. Choose Image from the list of options.
- Browse and select the lower third graphic file you created earlier.
- Adjust the position, size, and opacity of the lower third image by dragging and resizing it on the preview window.
- Click on the Start Virtual Camera button to start streaming the OBS output to Zoom.
- In Zoom, go to Settings > Video and select OBS Virtual Camera as your camera input.
Now, whenever you join a Zoom meeting, your lower third graphic will be displayed as an overlay on your video.
Conclusion
Adding lower thirds to your Zoom video can be a great way to add a personal touch and make your video meetings more engaging. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can customize your own lower third and use OBS Studio to overlay it onto your Zoom video. Remember to keep the design simple and easy to read, and have fun experimenting with different styles to find the one that suits you best. Happy Zooming!