Creating engaging content is all about keeping up with what viewers want to see, and that often means combining elements that grab attention right from the start.

Recently, a member of the Doodly Design Group on Facebook asked an interesting question: “Is it possible to start with a video of me speaking and go into the Doodly video? I'm not sure how I would edit that. Also, wondering since Facebook and YouTube tend to push the reels ratio, could Doodly work in that format ratio?”

This question hit on two key points that many content creators are curious about: how to seamlessly combine live-action footage with Doodly animations and how to work with vertical video formats that platforms like Facebook and YouTube are currently favoring.

In this tutorial, we’re going to tackle both of these challenges.

We’ll guide you through the steps to create a vertical Doodly reel and combine it with a live-action video, using tools you probably already have—Doodly and PowerPoint.

So, if you're looking to make your content more dynamic or simply want to optimize your videos for social media, this step-by-step guide will show you how to blend animation with live footage effortlessly.

Let’s get started!

The first step in creating your combined video is setting up your Doodly animation in a vertical format, which is perfect for social media reels and stories.

To begin, open Doodly and start a new video project.

When setting up your video, you’ll notice that the default option is the regular horizontal format.

However, Doodly makes it easy to switch to a vertical layout.

Simply select the “Custom” option under resolution settings, uncheck the default aspect ratio box, and enter the dimensions 1080 by 1920.

This will adjust your video to a vertical format suitable for platforms like Facebook and YouTube.

With your vertical format set, you can start building your Doodly animation.

Add characters, props, and text that fit the vertical layout. For instance, you might choose a character as the focal point and adjust its size to fill the screen.

You can also layer text over the character, adjust the text size, and center it for visual balance.

Props like a cat or other small elements can be added to enhance the scene, placed strategically to complement the main focus without overcrowding the vertical space.

Once your animation is complete, adjust the timing and transitions to ensure your video flows smoothly.

If you want to make quick edits, like wrapping text or resizing elements, Doodly’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface allows you to make adjustments easily.

After setting up your scenes, your vertical Doodly video is ready to be exported.

Lastly, save the project and choose the appropriate export settings that match your vertical resolution.

Now that you’ve created your vertical Doodly animation, the next step is to export the video so you can combine it with your live-action footage.

Exporting from Doodly is straightforward, but it’s important to ensure that the settings match the vertical format you’ve set up.

Start by clicking the export option within Doodly. You’ll be prompted to choose your preferred file format and resolution.

Make sure you select the same vertical dimensions—1080 by 1920—that you used when setting up your project.

This ensures your video will remain in the correct format for social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube that favor vertical content.

Choose a location on your computer where you want to save the file. It’s a good idea to create a dedicated folder for your project files to keep everything organized. Once your settings are confirmed, click the export button and let Doodly render your animation.

Depending on the length and complexity of your video, this process might take a few moments, so be patient.

After exporting, double-check the video to ensure it plays correctly in the vertical format and that all elements appear as intended.

Watch the animation from start to finish to verify that the timing, text, and visuals are all perfectly aligned.

This quick review step helps catch any small issues before moving on to the next stage, where you’ll bring in your live-action footage and combine the two videos into one seamless reel.

With your Doodly video now exported, you’re ready to integrate it with PowerPoint for the final touch.

With your Doodly video ready to go, the next step is adjusting PowerPoint to match the vertical format of your animation.

While PowerPoint typically defaults to a horizontal layout, you can easily switch it to vertical to align perfectly with your Doodly video.

Start by opening PowerPoint and navigating to the "Design" tab. From there, click on "Slide Size" and select "Custom Slide Size." This will open a settings window where you can adjust the orientation of your slides.

From the “Slides sized for” dropdown menu, choose “Custom.” Next, enter the dimensions 9 by 16 to set up a vertical slide, which matches the aspect ratio you used in Doodly.

After setting the dimensions, another small pop-up will appear asking, “You are scaling to a new slide size. Would you like to maximize the size of your content, or scale it down to ensure it will fit on the new slide?”

You’ll be given two options: "Maximize" or "Ensure Fit."

Select "Maximize" to make sure that any content you add fills the slide as much as possible, maintaining the visual impact of your videos.

With this setup, your PowerPoint is now configured in the correct vertical orientation, making it ready to host both your Doodly animation and your live-action footage.

This adjustment is crucial for maintaining a consistent and professional look throughout your video, especially as you transition between animated and live-action content.

Now that PowerPoint is set to the right format, it’s time to bring in your videos and start combining them on the slides.

Now that PowerPoint is set up in a vertical format, it’s time to import your live-action and Doodly videos to create a seamless, engaging reel.

We’ll start by adding the live-action video first, followed by the Doodly animation, setting up a natural flow from your personal introduction to your animated content.

Begin by inserting your live-action video on the first slide. Click on the "Insert" tab at the top of PowerPoint, then select "Video" and choose "Movie from File."

Browse your computer to locate your live-action clip, such as an introduction recorded on your phone, and select it.

Once imported, adjust the size and position of the video to maximize the vertical slide, ensuring it fills the screen and captures the viewer’s attention right from the start.

Next, add your Doodly animation to the second slide.

Create a new slide by right-clicking on the slide panel on the left and selecting “New Slide.”

On this new slide, go to "Insert" > "Video" > "Movie from File" and select your exported Doodly video.

Position the Doodly animation to fit the vertical layout of the slide, making sure it aligns well and maintains the flow of the overall video presentation.

The order of the slides is crucial: the live-action video should always be first, followed by the Doodly animation.

This setup ensures a smooth transition from your personal on-camera introduction to the animated section, keeping the audience engaged throughout.

Adjust the size and layout of each video if needed to maintain a visually balanced appearance that’s consistent across both slides.

With both videos now placed in the correct order, you’re ready to enhance their connection by adding transitions, ensuring a smooth and professional flow between your live-action and animated content.

With your live-action and Doodly videos arranged on their respective slides, the next step is to create smooth transitions between the two.

Transitions are essential for maintaining a professional flow in your video, guiding the viewer seamlessly from your live introduction to the animated content.

To add a transition, start by selecting the first slide, which contains your live-action video. Click on the "Transitions" tab in the PowerPoint menu at the top.

Here, you’ll find a variety of transition effects to choose from.

Options like “Fade” or “Push” work well because they offer a smooth and subtle change between slides, keeping the focus on the content rather than distracting with overly flashy effects.

Select the “Push” transition for a dynamic shift between your live-action introduction and the Doodly animation.

This effect moves the new slide in from the side, giving a clean and engaging transition that visually connects both parts of your video.

You can adjust the direction and timing of the transition by clicking on “Effect Options” within the Transitions menu to customize how the animation plays.

Once you’ve chosen your preferred transition, play it back by clicking the “Preview” button in the Transitions tab.

If it feels too quick or too slow, you can adjust the duration using the “Duration” box to fine-tune the timing to your liking.

With your live-action and Doodly videos perfectly arranged and connected by smooth transitions, the final step is to export your project as a single video file.

This will allow you to share your combined reel on social media, websites, or any platform that supports video content.

To export your completed video, navigate to the "File" menu in PowerPoint and select "Export."

In the Export menu, you’ll see various options for saving your presentation, but for this project, you’ll want to choose "Create a Video."

This option allows you to convert your PowerPoint slides into a video format.

Next, adjust the video settings to ensure the best quality.

Set the resolution to Full HD (1080p) to maintain the sharpness of both your live-action and animated segments.

In the “Use Recorded Timings and Narrations” dropdown, make sure to select the default option, which will include the transitions and timings you’ve already set between the slides. This ensures that everything plays as intended.

After setting the quality, click on the “Create Video” button.

PowerPoint will prompt you to choose a location on your computer to save the video file. Select your preferred folder, name the file, and choose MP4 as the format. Then, click “Save” to start the export process.

PowerPoint will begin rendering your video, combining the live-action introduction and the Doodly animation into a single cohesive reel. The rendering time will depend on the length and complexity of your video, so be patient while PowerPoint processes the file.

Once the export is complete, open the video to check that it plays smoothly from start to finish.

Watch for any issues with transitions, timing, or formatting, and ensure the vertical layout is maintained throughout.

With the video successfully exported, you now have a polished, professional-looking reel that combines the personal touch of live action with the creative flair of Doodly animations.

Now you’re ready to share your creation with the world and make an impact!

Combining live-action footage with Doodly animations offers a creative and engaging way to connect with your audience, making your content stand out in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. By following these steps, you can easily create a professional-looking vertical reel that leverages the best of both worlds—personal on-camera introductions and captivating animations.

Starting with Doodly, you can set up your video in the vertical format favored by platforms like Facebook and YouTube. After creating your Doodly animation, PowerPoint provides a user-friendly way to merge your animation with live-action clips, allowing you to create a cohesive video without needing advanced editing software.

From adjusting slide sizes and importing your videos to adding seamless transitions and exporting the final product, the process is simple yet powerful. This method not only enhances the overall quality of your content but also makes it more engaging, visually appealing, and suitable for various social media platforms.

So, if you're looking to elevate your video content, combining Doodly with live-action footage could be the perfect solution. Give this approach a try, and watch your videos capture attention, convey your message more effectively, and leave a lasting impression on your viewers. With a little creativity and the right tools, your content can truly shine.