How to Zoom In and Out in Descript

How to zoom in and out in Descript using animations. This is a very useful procedure for screen recordings, tutorials, or even for zooming in and out on images or other clips. Descript includes a Zoom In animation, but not a Zoom Out one. Here's how to create these and how to place, resize your footage.

To start, I explain how Descript manages recording files. When you record your screen, Descript captures multiple files simultaneously, including your webcam feed, audio, and screen sharing. These recordings are organized into a sequence within the media bin, making it easy to identify and manage each track.

I demonstrate how to edit and rename these tracks for clarity. By right-clicking on the sequence and selecting "Edit Sequence," you can see all the recorded tracks. Renaming these tracks, such as labeling one as "webcam" and another as "screen," helps keep your project organized.

Next, I delve into the process of zooming in using custom animations. While Descript has built-in zoom animations, creating custom animations offers more control. To zoom in, you first need to make the timeline taller for better visibility. Lock the webcam layer to prevent accidental movement, then focus on the screen layer where you want to zoom.

By selecting the screen layer and clicking on the animation plus sign, you can add a zoom animation. Descript marks the animation's start and end with keyframes, which you can adjust for timing and position. I show how to move and resize the video to achieve the desired zoom effect, ensuring the animation flows smoothly.

A key aspect of this tutorial is managing keyframes effectively. I guide you through creating and adjusting keyframes, explaining how to control the video's start and end points. For instance, you can speed up the zoom by moving keyframes closer together, making the animation more dynamic.

However, Descript currently lacks a built-in "zoom out" or "fit to screen" animation. I provide a workaround by manually resizing the video back to full screen.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:06 Understanding Descript's Recording Files
01:01 Editing and Renaming Tracks
01:52 Zooming In with Custom Animations
03:09 Creating and Adjusting Keyframes
04:51 Zooming Out and Workarounds
07:11 Final Tips and Conclusion

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