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Adjustment Layers & Color Correction

Adjustment layers let you apply color corrections and visual effects to sections of your timeline without permanently changing the original media.

What are Adjustment Layers?​

An adjustment layer is a non-destructive filter that affects all video content beneath it on the timeline. Unlike editing the source video directly, adjustment layers:

  • Preserve original media — Your source videos remain unchanged
  • Apply to multiple clips — One adjustment layer affects everything below it
  • Allow easy experimentation — Turn effects on/off without losing work
  • Stack for complex looks — Combine multiple adjustment layers

Adding an Adjustment Layer​

  1. Position your playhead where you want the adjustment to start
  2. Add an adjustment layer to the timeline
  3. Set the duration by trimming the layer's edges
  4. Select the adjustment layer to access color correction controls

The adjustment layer appears as a purple bar on the timeline, indicating it's an effect layer rather than media.

Color Correction Controls​

Basic Adjustments​

Exposure (-3 to +3 EV) Adjusts overall brightness using photographic exposure stops. Each full stop doubles or halves the light.

Brightness (-100 to +100)
Controls overall luminance. Positive values brighten the image, negative values darken it.

Contrast (-100 to +100)
Adjusts the difference between light and dark areas. Higher contrast creates more dramatic images.

Saturation (-100 to +100)
Controls color intensity. -100 creates a grayscale image, +100 creates vivid, saturated colors.

Color Balance​

Temperature (-100 to +100)
Adjusts the warm/cool color balance:

  • Negative values — Cooler (more blue)
  • Positive values — Warmer (more red/yellow)

Tint (-100 to +100)
Adjusts the green/magenta color balance:

  • Negative values — More green
  • Positive values — More magenta

Tone Controls​

Shadows (-100 to +100)
Adjusts only the dark areas of the image:

  • Negative values — Darken shadows
  • Positive values — Lift/brighten shadows

Highlights (-100 to +100)
Adjusts only the bright areas of the image:

  • Negative values — Darken highlights
  • Positive values — Brighten highlights

Working with Adjustments​

Real-time Preview​

All adjustments update in real-time as you move the sliders. The center mark on each slider represents the neutral position (no adjustment).

Resetting Adjustments​

Click the Reset button to return all values to their defaults. This only becomes active when you've made changes.

Fine-tuning​

  • Exposure uses 0.1 EV increments for precise control
  • Other controls use whole number values
  • Visual feedback shows +/- values next to each slider

Professional Workflows​

Color Matching​

To match colors between different clips:

  1. Place adjustment layers over each clip
  2. Use Temperature and Tint to match white balance
  3. Use Exposure and Brightness to match luminance
  4. Fine-tune with Contrast and Saturation

Creative Looks​

Film Look

  • Lift shadows: +20 to +40
  • Lower highlights: -10 to -20
  • Reduce saturation: -15 to -25
  • Warm temperature: +10 to +20

High Contrast

  • Increase contrast: +30 to +50
  • Lower shadows: -20 to -30
  • Raise highlights: +10 to +20
  • Boost saturation: +20 to +30

Moody/Cinematic

  • Cool temperature: -20 to -30
  • Lift shadows significantly: +40 to +60
  • Reduce highlights: -20 to -30
  • Desaturate: -20 to -30

Tips​

Layering Effects​

  • Stack multiple adjustment layers for complex looks
  • Each layer affects layers below it — order matters
  • Use shorter layers for selective corrections

Performance​

  • Limit stacked adjustments — Too many can slow playback
  • Preview at lower quality if timeline becomes sluggish
  • Export will always render at full quality

Keyboard Shortcuts​

  • Select adjustment layer to access controls
  • Trim edges to change the affected timeline range
  • Delete to remove adjustments completely

Troubleshooting​

Colors look wrong during playback Adjustment layers require processing power. If playback is choppy, try reducing playback quality or clearing other browser tabs.

Adjustments not visible Make sure the adjustment layer is above the video content on the timeline and the playhead is positioned within the adjustment layer's range.

Can't see adjustment controls Select the adjustment layer first — controls only appear when the layer is selected.

Learn More​