What Are Animation Effects?
There are two main types of animations in Synthesia:
Trigger animations: Define when an element appears or disappears.
Effect animations: Define how an element enters, behaves, or exits the scene.
You can apply both types to the same element for more dynamic control.
Adding Enter and Exit Animations
Animation triggers control when an element appears or disappears in sync with your script.
📚 Want to learn more about triggers? Check out the Synthesia Academy Feature Fridays: Triggers recording.
To add an enter or exit animation
Click on the element you want to animate on the canvas.
Locate the triggers in the script box at the start and end of the scene.
Click the trigger and drag it to the word in the script where the element should enter or exit.
Choose an animation style
Instant: Element appears immediately.
Fade: Softly fades in.
Slide: Slides in from any direction.
Move: Moves into place from a direction.
Zoom: Zooms in while fading in.
Scale: Grows to full size.
Customize the animation
Direction – Set where the animation comes from.
Velocity – Adjust the speed.
Duration – Choose how long it lasts.
Delay – Set when it should begin.
To remove an animation
Click on the trigger and then the trash icon.
The Enter/Exit trigger will reset to its default position.
💡 All elements use an Instant animation by default. You can change the effect of the animation from the Animation panel in the inspector on the right.
⚠️ Important:
An Enter trigger cannot come after an Effect trigger for the same element.
An Exit trigger cannot come before an Effect trigger for the same element.
If multiple triggers are on the same word, a trigger cluster will appear. Click it to apply animations individually or to all grouped elements.
Add an Effect
Effect animations let you control how an element behaves between its entry and exit. These are tied to specific words in your script.
Select the element on the canvas.
Hover over the word where you want the effect.
Click the + button to add an effect.
Select the desired effect type.
Adjust any available settings (zoom, position, speed, etc.).
Delete an effect
Click the trigger in the script and then the trash icon, or
Use the Inspector Panel and click the “-” icon next to the effect.
You can also use the Timeline View to apply effects.
✍️ You can manage all entrance, exit, and effect animations from the Inspector Panel by selecting the element.
Available Effect Animations
Emphasis Effects (All Elements)
Emphasis Effects (All Elements)
Blink – Makes the element flash briefly.
Shake – Adds a shaking motion.
Pop – Adds a bouncing effect to draw attention.
These work on all element types.
Camera Zoom (Image Elements Only)
Camera Zoom (Image Elements Only)
Zoom in or out on a specific part of an image tied to a word.
Adjust zoom level and position.
Zoom/Pan (Video Elements Only)
Zoom/Pan (Video Elements Only)
Zoom into a part of a video at a specific point.
Works only for videos in Stretch or Loop/Cut modes.
Play/Pause (Video Elements Only)
Play/Pause (Video Elements Only)
Control which video frame is visible when a word is spoken.
Choose if the video plays or freezes.
Useful for stop-motion or timed visuals.
⚠️ Video limitations:
Video effects are not supported for videos set to Play Once.
Cannot apply effects to videos used as backgrounds.
💬 FAQs
Can I place an Enter trigger after an Effect trigger?
Can I place an Enter trigger after an Effect trigger?
No. An Enter trigger must come before an Effect trigger for the same element.
What if multiple triggers are set on the same word?
What if multiple triggers are set on the same word?
A trigger cluster will appear. You can click it to apply animations either individually or to all grouped elements.
Can I use animation effects on videos set to Play Once?
Can I use animation effects on videos set to Play Once?
No. Animation effects are not supported for videos set to Play Once.
Can I apply effects to videos used as backgrounds?
Can I apply effects to videos used as backgrounds?
Effects cannot be applied to background videos.
📚 To see animations in action, check these Synthesia Academy videos: