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How to Add a Stinger Transition

This guide shows you how to add custom video-based stinger transitions between scenes for professional, branded scene switches.

Quick Steps

  1. Click the stinger icon next to a scene thumbnail (or right-click scene)
  2. Choose from System stingers or click Add from Gallery / Upload from Disk
  3. Select your stinger video file (WEBM only)
  4. Set the transition point timing
  5. Stinger will play when switching to that scene

Understanding Stingers

A stinger is a video animation that plays during scene transitions. Unlike fades or cuts, stingers provide branded, dynamic transitions.

TermMeaning
StingerVideo-based custom transition
Transition PointWhen the new scene appears
DurationTotal length of the stinger video
CutInstant scene change (no transition)
FadeGradual opacity change

Stinger Video Requirements

Technical Specifications

PropertyRecommended
FormatWEBM only (MP4 not supported)
ResolutionMatch your scene (1920x1080)
Frame Rate30 or 60 fps
Duration0.5 to 3 seconds
CodecVP9 (WebM)

Important: Only WEBM video files can be used as stingers. This format supports transparency (alpha channel).

Design Best Practices

  • Should have a moment of full coverage (no transparency)
  • Transition point is when the full coverage happens
  • Can include transparency (alpha channel) with WEBM
  • Match your brand colors and style

Method 1: From Scene Stinger Chooser

Step 1: Open Stinger Chooser

  1. Hover over a scene thumbnail in the Scenes panel
  2. Click the stinger icon that appears (or right-click the scene)
  3. The stinger chooser popup opens with header “Choose a video to be used as stinger”

Step 2: Choose a Stinger

System Stingers:

  • Default: [Fade In] - standard fade transition
  • Browse the System stingers section for built-in options

My Uploads:

  • Click Add from Gallery to select from your uploaded WEBM files
  • Click Upload from Disk to upload a new WEBM file directly

Step 3: Set Transition Point

The transition point determines when the old scene is replaced by the new scene:

  1. Preview the stinger video
  2. Find the frame where there’s full coverage
  3. Set the transition point (in milliseconds)
  4. This is when the scene switch occurs “behind” the stinger

Step 4: Make it Default (Optional)

  1. Enable Set as Default Transition
  2. All scene switches will use this stinger
  3. Or keep it as an option to use selectively

Method 2: Quick Stinger Assignment

Per-Scene Stinger

  1. Right-click on a scene thumbnail
  2. Select Transition Settings or Set Transition
  3. Choose the stinger from available options
  4. This stinger plays when switching TO this scene

Using Stingers

Automatic Stinger

Once set as default:

  • Click any scene to switch
  • Stinger plays automatically
  • Scene changes at the transition point

Manual Stinger Trigger

Some setups allow:

  1. Click Play Stinger button
  2. Stinger starts playing
  3. Click destination scene during stinger
  4. Or it auto-switches at transition point

Creating Stinger Videos

  1. Create in video editing software (After Effects, DaVinci, etc.)
  2. Design an animation that briefly covers the full screen
  3. Export at scene resolution
  4. Keep under 2 seconds

Elements of a Good Stinger

  1. Intro animation - Elements animate in
  2. Full coverage - Screen fully covered (transition point)
  3. Outro animation - Elements animate out
  4. Total duration: 1-2 seconds ideal

Stinger with Transparency

For WebM with alpha:

  1. Create animation with transparent background
  2. Export as WebM with alpha channel
  3. Stinger overlays the scene transition

Transition Types Comparison

TypeSpeedCustomizationBest For
CutInstantNoneNews, quick switches
Fade0.5-1sDuration onlySmooth, subtle
Slide0.5-1sDirectionModern look
StingerVariableFully customBranded, professional

Multiple Stingers

You can have multiple stingers for different purposes:

  1. Main stinger - Primary branded transition
  2. Quick stinger - Shorter, faster version
  3. Special stinger - For specific moments
  4. Outro stinger - For ending segments

Selecting Different Stingers

  • Set different stingers per scene
  • Or use transition controls to select
  • Keyboard shortcuts for different stingers

Troubleshooting

Stinger not playing?

  • Check if transitions are enabled
  • Verify stinger is uploaded correctly
  • Try re-uploading the file

Transition point wrong?

  • Adjust the transition point timing
  • Preview to find the right moment
  • Usually around 40-60% through the video

Stinger looks choppy?

  • Check video frame rate (use 30+ fps)
  • Reduce file size if too large
  • Ensure good network connection

Scene switch happens too early/late?

  • Adjust transition point timing
  • Lower number = earlier switch
  • Higher number = later switch

Stinger file won’t upload?

  • Check file format (WEBM only - MP4 not supported)
  • Reduce file size if too large
  • Ensure resolution matches the scene

Best Practices

  1. Keep it short - 1-2 seconds is ideal
  2. Match branding - Use your colors and style
  3. Test before live - Verify timing is right
  4. Have a backup - Fade as fallback
  5. Don’t overuse - Stingers work best sparingly

Where to Get Stingers

Create Your Own

  • Adobe After Effects
  • DaVinci Resolve
  • Canva (animated)
  • Motion graphics software

Free Resources

  • Search for “free stream stingers”
  • Streamlabs, OWN3D, Nerd or Die
  • Check licensing for commercial use

Custom/Professional

  • Fiverr designers
  • Motion graphics artists
  • Stream overlay marketplaces