> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://learn.usecardboard.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Effects, Transitions & Color

> Add transitions, effects, color grading, and text overlays to your videos.

Cardboard includes a library of transitions, color grading presets, and keyframe animation tools to give your videos a polished look. You can apply them manually from the editor or use AI Chat to add them with a simple prompt.

## Transitions

Add transitions between clips to smooth out cuts. Cardboard includes **14 transition presets** across three categories.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Cinematic">
    * **Fade** — Classic fade to/from black
    * **Dissolve** — One clip blends smoothly into the next
    * **Light Leak** — Bright light bloom during the transition
    * **Film Burn** — Analog film burn effect
    * **Cross Zoom** — Zoom-based cross dissolve
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Motion">
    * **Fly** — Clip flies in from a direction
    * **Push** — New clip pushes the old one off screen
    * **Slide** — Clip slides in from the side
    * **Zoom** — Zoom in on the cut point
    * **Radial Wipe** — Circular wipe reveal
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Creative">
    * **Glitch** — Digital glitch distortion
    * **Chromatic Aberration** — RGB color split effect
    * **Ink Bleed** — Ink spreading across the frame
    * **Audio Fade** — Fades only the audio (no visual transition)
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

Each transition has configurable properties:

* **Duration** — How long the transition lasts (in seconds)
* **Direction** — Where applicable, which direction the transition moves (left, right, up, down)
* **Easing** — The acceleration curve (ease in, ease out, linear)

To apply a transition, drag it from the transitions panel onto the cut point between two clips.

## Color grading and LUTs

Color grading changes the overall look and feel of your video. Cardboard includes **6 LUT presets** you can apply to any clip or adjustment layer.

| Preset            | Description                                        |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| **Cinematic**     | Warm shadows, teal highlights — the Hollywood look |
| **Black & White** | Full desaturation with enhanced contrast           |
| **Vintage**       | Faded colors with a warm, retro tone               |
| **Cool**          | Blue-shifted tones for a clean, modern feel        |
| **Warm**          | Golden, sun-kissed tones                           |
| **High Contrast** | Deeper blacks and brighter whites                  |

LUTs are applied via **adjustment layers** that sit above your clips on the timeline. You can control the intensity from **0** (no effect) to **1** (full strength) to dial in the exact look you want.

## Keyframe animation

Animate any clip property over time using keyframes. Set a value at one point, a different value at another, and Cardboard smoothly interpolates between them.

Properties you can animate:

* **Opacity** — Fade clips in and out
* **Scale** — Zoom in or out over time
* **Rotation** — Spin or tilt a clip
* **X / Y position** — Move a clip across the frame

To add a keyframe, move the playhead to where you want the animation to start, set your property value, then move ahead and set a new value. Cardboard creates a smooth animation between the two points.

<Tip>
  You can use AI Chat for effects too — try "Add a fade transition between every clip", "Apply cinematic color grade", or "Zoom in on the subject over 2 seconds."
</Tip>

## What's next?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Music & Audio" icon="music" href="/editing/music-and-audio">
    Add background music and sound effects.
  </Card>

  <Card title="How to Talk to Cardboard" icon="list-check" href="/learn/talk">
    Prompt tips and examples for effects and transitions.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>