Add and use video files in your project – Explain Everything Help Center

You can add video files into your projects and transform them into a rich multimedia experience for your audience. You can either add a video stored on your device or add a video that you record on the fly. Control your media playback in a live setting or while recording to create dynamic videos, lessons, and presentations.

Tip: Check which file types are supported by Explain Everything.

Video basics and tips

You can add video files to your project and move them around on the canvas with the Hand Tool.
To access full video controls select a video object twice with the Hand Tool.
Playing, pausing, scrubbing, and changing the volume of video objects will record in the project recording.
Video objects have their own recordings that are separate from the project recording. If you add them and you'd like them to be present in your final video, record their playback. Press the main Record button and then play the video object so it is captured.
Use headphones when recording your project that has videos in it. There might be an echo effect otherwise. On Apple-device versions of Explain Everything, you can select the Mute microphone while playing imported video setting under Settings > Record > Microphone. This will get rid of the echo but will also disable your microphone when you play audio or video during recording.

Add an existing video file

From the toolbar, select Add Media.
From the menu, select File.
Navigate to the location where your video is stored and select it. You can select multiple videos from a single location.
Select Import.
If you selected multiple videos, you can choose to add them to the Current Slide or as Separate Slides.

Note: When adding a video file to your project, you can decide whether you’d like to include it in the Timeline immediately or record your interactions with the video later. You can change that behavior in the app’s settings — head to the ○○○ Main Menu in the upper right-hand corner > Settings > Editing tab > scroll down to Include video in recording when adding and select the desired action.

From the toolbar, select Add Media.
From the menu, select Photo, Video, or File.
Navigate to the location where your video is stored and select it.

From the toolbar, select Add Media.
From the menu, select Existing Image/Video.
Select the video file or files that you'd like to add.
Select Upload/Open (dependent on your system).

Tip: You can also add media files to your project via the drag and drop gesture. Find out how to drag and drop files to your project.

Create a blank video object

You can add an "empty" video frame to your project and record the video as you go. This way, you can create a video using your camera right in your project or feature a video of yourself to personalize it.

Record a video to use it later

From the toolbar, select Add Media.
From the Insert New menu, select Video.
Select the blue control button at the bottom of the video object.
You can choose the video resolution and switch the camera from the menu.
Select Start recording.
When you're done, select the Hand Tool from the toolbar.
Select the blue control button on the bottom of the video object.
Select Stop recording.

From the toolbar, select Add Media.
From the menu, select New Video.
Switch between the front-facing and rear cameras with the Toggle Camera button.
On the control bar of the video, select Record to start recording it.
When you're done, select the video with the Hand Tool.
Select Stop on the control bar of the video.

This feature is currently not available in the web version of Explain Everything.

Add a live video of yourself to personalize your project

From the toolbar, select Add Media.
From the Insert New menu, select Video.
Select the main Record button of the project. Your video will start recording alongside your project recording.
Once you're done, select the main Stop button.

The Center Stage option

If you’re an iPad user with iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation), iPad 10.2-inch (9th generation), or iPad mini 8.3-inch (6th generation), you can make the most of creating a new, live-camera video of yourself. Pick the Center Stage option that adjusts the front-facing camera while recording to help keep you and anyone else with you in the frame. Once you add Video, select the Center Stage button under the video frame on the very left to turn the Center Stage feature on. To turn it off, select it again.

Note: Once stopped, the new video object will become finished. This means that if you want to redo it, it is necessary to rewind back to the point that you want to change and delete the video object, add a new one, and start recording from that point again.

From the toolbar, select Add Media.
From the menu, select New Video.
Select the main Record button of the project. Your video will start recording alongside your project recording.
Once you're done, select the main Stop button.

This feature is currently not available in the web version of Explain Everything.

However, if you’d like that others can see your face when working collaboratively, you can use a video conferencing app to share your project. Learn how to broadcast and share your Explain Everything screen in a video conferencing app.

Control playback of video objects

Each video object on the canvas has its own player so you can control its playback and adjust its volume.

Show full video controls

Select a video object with the Hand Tool.
Select Show media controls.

Double-select a video object with the Hand Tool.

Tip: The Play/Pause button is always available on video objects.

Select a video object with the Hand Tool to activate its controls. Select the object again to hide them.

Tip The Play button is always visible on video objects. You can select it with any tool.

Select a video object with the Hand Tool.
Select the Play/Pause button.