If you’re just starting a YouTube channel or want to give your videos a more professional feel, adding an animated intro is one of the easiest ways to level up your content – without touching complex software like Adobe After Effects or Blender. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to add a polished, animated intro to your footage in just a few minutes using MAGIX Movie Edit Pro Plus 2020’s built-in templates.
Why Use Pre-Made Intro Templates?
You don’t need advanced motion graphics skills or expensive software to make your videos look great. MAGIX Movie Edit Pro Plus 2020 comes with a huge library of pre-made intro templates that do the “heavy lifting” for you. This is ideal if you:
- Are just starting a YouTube or Facebook channel
- Want a quick, professional-looking intro without hiring a designer
- Don’t want to spend hours learning motion graphics software
- Need an affordable, one-time software purchase instead of ongoing costs
Step-by-Step: Adding a Video Intro
1. Set Up Your Project
Open Movie Edit Pro Plus 2020 and create a default project. In this example, the project is set to 1920×1080 at 29 frames per second. When you drag your video clip onto the timeline, the software may prompt you if the clip’s actual frame rate differs from your project settings (in this case, the footage was recorded at 59.94 fps). It’s best to let the project match the clip’s native frame rate for the smoothest playback.
2. Trim Your Footage
3. Browse the Intro Templates
Head to the Templates panel and scroll down to the Intros section. You’ll find dozens of pre-built animated intro options – everything from travel-themed animations (like one featuring a plane, perfect for holiday or travel vlogs) to more general-purpose designs.
4. Add the Intro to Your Timeline
Once you’ve found an intro you like, simply click the arrow button next to it to add it to your project. It will automatically drop into place at the very beginning of your timeline, ahead of your main footage.
5. Customise the Text
Click on the intro’s text element to open the title editor. Replace the placeholder text with something relevant to your video – for example, “My Trip Through Rome.” From here you can also:
- Change the font style
- Increase or decrease the text size
- Add effects like 3D and bevel styling
Keep it simple if you’re just getting started – the built-in styles already look polished.
6. Add an Outro / End Graphic
7. Add a Finishing Effect (Optional)
For an extra polish, go to Effects > Templates > Shapes > Particles and drag a particle effect onto the end of your clip. This creates a subtle fade-out effect that gives your video a professional close.
Bonus Tip: Swapping Out an Intro
Not happy with your first choice? You can easily swap it for a different template:
- Click on your video clip.
- Press Shift + G to ungroup the clip from its attached intro.
- Select just the intro portion and delete it.
- Click back on your main video clip, return to the Templates > Intros panel, and choose a new one.
Some intros include their own background audio – if it’s too loud, right-click the clip, choose Set Volume, and lower it to around -20dB for a more balanced mix.
Final Thoughts
Adding an animated intro doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive. With MAGIX Movie Edit Pro Plus 2020’s built-in templates, you can go from a plain video clip to a polished, YouTube-ready production – complete with custom text, intro animation, and a smooth outro – in just a matter of minutes.
Whether you’re documenting a trip (like this Rome travel clip example), starting a new channel, or just want to make your existing content look more professional, this simple workflow is a great place to start.
Need help with professional video editing services in London? Contact us today to see how we can help.
