Picture effects

Drop shadow effect for video layers

A soft shadow under a layer that has transparency, so a logo, a cut-out or a picture in picture lifts off what is behind it. Does nothing on a clip that fills the frame.

Shown on A logo over a drone shot of a coast

Before · the same request without it
After · Keep a white logo readable over a bright sky.

The entry

Add it to a clip's effects list. Entries run in the order you write them.

{
  "type": "dropShadow",
  "opacity": 0.9,
  "blur": 16,
  "offsetX": 8,
  "offsetY": 10
}

Every setting and default is in the docs

Run it

The whole request behind the render above. Paste it as it is, or swap the file for your own.

job.ts
import { createClient, outputUrl } from "@rendobar/sdk";


const rb = createClient({ apiKey: process.env.RENDOBAR_API_KEY });


const job = await rb.jobs.run({
  type: "compose",
  params: {
    schemaVersion: 1,
    output: {
      format: "mp4",
      resolution: {
        width: 960,
        height: 540
      }
    },
    timeline: {
      tracks: [
        {
          clips: [
            {
              asset: {
                type: "video",
                src: "https://cdn.rendobar.com/compose/showcase/media/coast-a.mp4"
              },
              start: 0
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          clips: [
            {
              asset: {
                type: "image",
                src: "https://cdn.rendobar.com/compose/showcase/media/logo.png"
              },
              start: 0,
              length: 6,
              transform: {
                scale: 0.3,
                position: {
                  x: "78%",
                  y: "22%"
                }
              },
              effects: [
                {
                  type: "dropShadow",
                  opacity: 0.9,
                  blur: 16,
                  offsetX: 8,
                  offsetY: 10
                }
              ]
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  },
});


console.log(outputUrl(job));

Install with npm i @rendobar/sdk. jobs.run() submits and waits, so it returns the finished job in one call.

terminal
curl https://api.rendobar.com/jobs \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $RENDOBAR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"type":"compose","params":{"schemaVersion":1,"output":{"format":"mp4","resolution":{"width":960,"height":540}},"timeline":{"tracks":[{"clips":[{"asset":{"type":"video","src":"https://cdn.rendobar.com/compose/showcase/media/coast-a.mp4"},"start":0}]},{"clips":[{"asset":{"type":"image","src":"https://cdn.rendobar.com/compose/showcase/media/logo.png"},"start":0,"length":6,"transform":{"scale":0.3,"position":{"x":"78%","y":"22%"}},"effects":[{"type":"dropShadow","opacity":0.9,"blur":16,"offsetX":8,"offsetY":10}]}]}]}}}'

Returns immediately with a job id. Poll GET /jobs/{id} or register a webhook rather than blocking on the request.

Questions

What does the drop shadow effect do in compose?

A soft shadow under a layer that has transparency, so a logo, a cut-out or a picture in picture lifts off what is behind it. Does nothing on a clip that fills the frame. Keep a white logo readable over a bright sky.

How do I add drop shadow to a video with an API?

Send a compose job to the Rendobar API with this entry in the timeline: {"type":"dropShadow","opacity":0.9,"blur":16,"offsetX":8,"offsetY":10}. Add it to a clip's effects list. Entries run in the order you write them. The request on this page is complete and renders as shown.

What are the default settings for drop shadow?

Every setting has a default, so the type on its own is enough: color #000000, opacity 0.6, blur 16, offsetX 0, and offsetY 8. Set only the ones you want to change.

Footage and sound

More features

Chroma key Remove the green screen so the presenter stands in front of a new background. Color A warm cinematic grade: the light pulled towards gold, contrast and color lifted a little, skin left believable. Looks The whole archive look in one word: sepia, grain, dust, scratches, projector flicker and a vignette together. Blur Knock the footage back so a title over it stays readable. Sharpen Crisp up footage that is slightly out of focus. Look at the jacket, the hair and the stone. Denoise Clean the grain a small sensor adds in the dark. Punched in so the grain is actually visible at this size, because at full width it is too fine to see.

See all 117 features →