Snapchat is a popular social media app that allows users to send photo and video messages that disappear after being viewed. One of Snapchat’s key features is the ability to edit photos and videos within the app using a range of creative tools and effects. However, some users wonder whether Snapchat also has more advanced video editing capabilities. In this article, we’ll take a look at whether Snapchat has a built-in video editor and how to edit videos within the app.
Does Snapchat Have a Native Video Editor?
The short answer is yes, Snapchat does have a basic native video editor built into the app. While it’s not as robust as dedicated video editing software, Snapchat’s video editor allows you to trim, splice, and rearrange video clips right within the app.
Some of the key video editing features available in Snapchat include:
- Trimming – Trim the start and end points of your video clips.
- Splice – Cut and splice together multiple video clips.
- Rearranging – Rearrange video clips into the desired order.
- Filters – Add filters and effects to alter the look of your videos.
- Text – Overlay text captions onto your videos.
- Drawings – Draw or doodle directly onto your videos.
- Stickers – Add animated stickers to your videos.
- Speed – Speed up or slow down video playback.
So in summary, while basic, Snapchat’s built-in video editor allows you to perform common editing tasks like trimming, splicing, rearranging, and enhancing video clips without needing to leave the app.
How to Access the Snapchat Video Editor
Accessing Snapchat’s video editing tools is quick and easy within the iOS and Android apps:
On iOS:
- Record a new video within Snapchat or open an existing video from your camera roll.
- On the preview screen, tap the scissors icon at the top.
- This will open Snapchat’s video editor, allowing you to trim, splice, rearrange, and enhance your clip.
- When finished, tap the check mark to save your edited video.
On Android:
- Record a new video within Snapchat or open an existing video from your camera roll.
- Tap the video to open the preview screen.
- Tap the scissors icon at the bottom left.
- This will launch Snapchat’s built-in video editor for trimming, splicing, rearranging, and enhancing.
- Tap the check mark to save your changes when done.
So accessing the video editor is quick and intuitive on both iOS and Android. Just tap the scissors icon on the video preview screen.
How to Trim Videos in Snapchat
Trimming lets you cut unwanted footage from the start and end of your video clips in Snapchat:
- Open a video in Snapchat’s editor.
- Tap and drag the start and end points on the timeline to set new trim points.
- Preview the trimmed video.
- Adjust the trim points as needed until you’re happy.
- Tap the check mark to save the trimmed video.
Trimming is useful for removing excess footage and focusing the video on the best parts.
How to Rearrange Video Clips
Snapchat’s editor allows you to splice together and rearrange multiple video clips:
- Open the first video clip in the editor.
- Tap the + icon to select additional videos from your camera roll.
- This splices the clips together end-to-end.
- Tap and drag clips to rearrange them into your desired order.
- Trim clips as needed.
- Tap the check mark to save your new video.
Rearranging clips lets you create dynamic videos by changing the order and structure.
How to Add Text to Videos
Adding text captions is easy in Snapchat’s video editor:
- Open the video in the editor.
- Tap the T icon to add text.
- Tap the screen where you want the text to appear.
- Type your text into the field and tap done.
- Drag the text box to move it.
- Tap the text to change the font style and color.
- Tap the check icon to save the captioned video.
Text overlays let you add stylized captions and titles to your Snapchat videos.
How to Use Filters and Effects
Filters and effects help transform the look and feel of your videos:
- Open your clip in the Snapchat video editor.
- Swipe horizontally to browse the available filters.
- Tap a filter to preview how it looks.
- Adjust the filter intensity as desired.
- Tap the effects icon to add visual effects.
- Tap the check icon to save your filtered video.
From subtle improvements to fun transformations, filters and effects open up creative possibilities.
How to Draw and Doodle on Videos
Snapchat lets you draw directly onto videos for a handmade look:
- Open the video in the editor.
- Select the drawing pen or marker tool.
- Choose a color and line thickness.
- Draw, write, or doodle anywhere on the video preview.
- Erase mistakes with the eraser tool.
- Tap the check mark to save when done.
Freehand drawing is perfect for highlighting certain objects or people in your videos.
How to Speed Up or Slow Down Video
For an artistic effect, you can alter the playback speed of videos:
- Open your video clip in the editor.
- Tap the speed icon near the top.
- Choose a speedup or slow-motion percentage.
- Preview how the altered speed looks.
- Adjust the percentage until you’re satisfied.
- Tap the check mark to apply the speed change.
Slow motion can emphasize dramatic moments, while speeding up can compress time.
How to Add Stickers to Videos
Stickers let you overlay animated designs onto your Snapchat videos:
- Open the video in the editor.
- Tap the stickers icon near the top.
- Browse Snapchat’s stickers and tap one to preview it.
- Drag the sticker anywhere on the video preview.
- Resize and rotate the sticker as desired.
- Tap the check icon to save the sticker overlay.
From fun animations to branded content, stickers expand your creative options.
Snapchat Video Editor Tutorial
Here is a quick tutorial demonstrating how to edit a video in Snapchat:
- Open a recorded snap.
- Tap the scissors icon to launch the editor.
- Trim the start and end points by dragging the handles left and right.
- Tap the T icon and add a text caption.
- Tap the speed icon and slow the video down to 50% speed.
- Swipe through the filters and apply the black and white filter.
- Draw squiggles on the screen with the pen tool.
- Tap the check mark to save the edited video.
This example shows how Snapchat’s video editor lets you quickly trim, caption, alter speed, filter, and draw on video clips.
Pros and Cons of Snapchat’s Video Editor
Pros
- Easy to access within the Snapchat app.
- Intuitive tools for trimming, splicing, rearranging footage.
- Filters, effects, text, stickers for enhancing videos.
- Speed controls for cool slow motion or accelerated playback.
- Drawing/doodling capability for freehand annotations.
- Saves edited videos directly within Snapchat.
Cons
- Limited precision editing compared to advanced video editors.
- Fewer effects, transitions, and tools than dedicated apps.
- No multi-track timeline for complex arrangements.
- No controls for color correction, audio, titles, etc.
- Designed for short social media clips rather than long-form video.
So in summary, Snapchat’s editor is convenient and capable for quick, simple edits, but lacks features for precision post-production work.
Conclusion
To wrap up, Snapchat does have a built-in video editor that allows users to trim, splice, rearrange, and enhance video clips right within the mobile app. While the toolset is focused on creative filters and effects rather than advanced video editing, Snapchat’s video editor makes it easy to make quick edits and embellish footage on the go. The ability to draw and add stickers provides a fun, handcrafted element as well. While power users may still require a desktop video editing program for professional work, Snapchat’s video editor is playful and convenient for on-the-fly social media videos.
Key Takeaways:
- Snapchat has a basic native video editing tool built into the iOS and Android apps.
- It provides intuitive trimming, splicing, and rearranging of clips.
- Creative filters, text, stickers, drawings, and speed controls enable enhancing videos.
- The editor is easy-to-use but lacks advanced tools and precision editing capabilities.
- It’s ideal for quick in-app editing of social media content.