How to Create a Custom Transition in OBS Studio (Without Spending $$$)
- Teacher Nine
- Nov 14
- 9 min read
Updated: Nov 14
Transitions are one of those subtle but powerful details that can take your stream from “just okay” to professional-level. A clean, smooth switch between scenes keeps your viewers engaged and focused, rather than distracted by abrupt jumps or jarring cuts. It also reinforces your stream’s brand identity—your visuals, colors, and style become part of a cohesive experience that feels intentional and polished.
Think of transitions as the bridge between moments in your stream. Whether you’re moving from gameplay to just-chatting, switching to a break scene, or highlighting an overlay, a well-designed transition ensures the flow is seamless. It’s the difference between a viewer noticing a sudden change and a viewer barely realizing the scene changed at all.
Why this matters for new streamers: When you’re just starting out, it’s easy to focus solely on gameplay, commentary, or alerts. But viewers subconsciously notice production quality. A stream that looks thoughtful and professional encourages viewers to stick around longer, engage more, and even follow or subscribe. Transitions are a small detail that communicates big things: that you care about your stream, your brand, and your audience experience.
The best part? You don’t need expensive plugins, advanced animation software, or a design degree to create custom transitions in OBS Studio. With free tools, a little creativity, and the right setup, you can make transitions that look like they belong on a high-end production.
Here’s your no-nonsense guide to creating custom transitions that pop, step by step, so your streams look professional and keep your audience engaged from start to finish.
Step 1: Understand OBS Studio’s Transition Options
Before you start creating custom transitions, it’s important to understand the types of transitions OBS Studio offers. Each type serves a different purpose, and knowing the options helps you choose what works best for your stream.
OBS Studio comes with several built-in transition types:
Cut: This is the simplest transition. It instantly switches from one scene to another with no animation or effect. It’s fast, clean, and reliable, but can feel abrupt if you’re switching between very different scenes. Cuts are great for rapid gameplay or fast-paced content.
Fade: Fades gradually from one scene to another, creating a smooth, professional look. Fades are perfect for streams where you want a subtle, polished effect without distracting your viewers. You can adjust the duration to make the fade slower or quicker depending on the pacing of your stream.
Swipe / Slide / Stinger: These transitions use animations or graphics to make the scene switch more visually engaging. For example, a logo might slide across the screen, or an animation might “wipe” one scene into another. Stinger transitions are highly customizable and are a great way to integrate your branding into your stream.
For this guide, we’ll focus on custom stinger-style transitions using free tools. Stinger transitions allow you to add a branded animation or overlay during your scene switch, giving your stream a polished, professional look without expensive software. Once you understand the basics of how these transitions work, you can start designing and implementing your own creative effects.
Step 2: Design Your Transition Graphic
Your transition graphic is the visual heart of a custom scene switch. Think of it as a mini animation that smoothly guides your viewers from one moment to the next. The good news? You don’t need expensive software or professional motion design skills to make one that looks polished.
Here’s how to approach it:
1. Choose Your Format
Video clips – Short MP4 or MOV files (1–2 seconds) work great for stinger-style transitions.
Animated PNGs or GIFs – Perfect for simpler graphics or looping animations.
Static images – You can even create a simple fade using a still image with alpha transparency.
Tip: Keep it short. A long transition can feel slow and disrupt the flow of your stream. Aim for 1–2 seconds.
2. Pick a Design Tool
You don’t need After Effects or Photoshop. Free or low-cost tools make it easy:
Canva – Great for quick animations and overlays.
Kapwing – Perfect for adding movement or exporting transparent video.
Photopea – Free Photoshop alternative for creating graphics with transparency.
3. Keep Branding in Mind
Even a short transition should feel like you. Use:
Your brand colors
Your logo or signature graphic
Consistent fonts or style elements
This makes every scene switch feel intentional and reinforces your stream’s identity.
4. Plan the Animation Flow
For a smooth stinger transition:
Start with the outgoing scene fully visible.
Animate your graphic to cover the screen or move across it.
Reveal the incoming scene at the transition point (usually 50–80% of the animation duration).
Example: A simple logo swipe:
Your logo slides from left to right, covering the scene
By 70% of the animation, the new scene is fully visible
Your logo rests offscreen or fades out by the end
5. Test Different Styles
Don’t overcomplicate it at first. Try:
A simple fade with your logo
A diagonal wipe using your brand colors
A quick zoom in/out effect
Once you see what works visually and timing-wise, you can get more creative with overlays, animated elements, or alpha-transparent graphics.
Pro Tip:
Even small, subtle transitions can make a big difference. A short, branded swipe or fade is often better than a long, flashy animation that distracts from your content. Focus on smoothness and readability—your viewers should barely notice the transition itself, only the polished flow of your stream.
Step 3: Import Your Transition into OBS Studio
Now that you’ve designed your custom transition graphic or animation, it’s time to bring it into OBS Studio. This step is straightforward, but a few key settings can make the difference between a smooth, professional switch and a jarring one.
1. Open the Scene Transitions Panel
In OBS Studio, look at the bottom-right corner of your workspace. You’ll see the Scene Transitions panel.
Click the + button to add a new transition.
2. Select “Stinger”
From the list, select Stinger and give it a descriptive name (e.g., “Logo Swipe” or “Fade Logo”).
Stingers allow you to use a video clip or animated graphic that plays during the scene change.
3. Add Your Transition File
Click the Browse button next to the Video File field and select your animation or video.
Make sure your file is compatible with OBS (MP4, MOV, or animated PNG with alpha transparency).
4. Set the Transition Point
The Transition Point tells OBS when the new scene should start appearing during the animation.
For a 1–2 second animation, the transition point is usually 50–80% of the way through the clip.
Example: If your animation is 2 seconds, set the transition point around 1–1.5 seconds. This ensures the outgoing scene is fully covered before revealing the new scene.
Tip: Experiment with the timing to see what feels smooth for your specific animation.
5. Adjust the Duration
You can also set the Default Transition Duration to control the overall speed.
Shorter durations make transitions feel snappier; longer durations feel more cinematic.
6. Test Your Transition
Switch between a couple of scenes in OBS to see how it looks live.
Watch carefully: Does the new scene appear at the right time? Does the animation feel smooth?
Make small adjustments to the transition point or duration if necessary.
7. Pro Tips for Beginners
Start simple: Your first transition doesn’t need to be complicated. Even a short swipe or fade with your logo looks professional.
Check alpha channels: If your animation has transparency, make sure the background shows through correctly.
Consistency matters: Use the same transition style across your stream for a polished look.
Test before going live: Always preview transitions with your actual scene content to avoid surprises during a live stream.
Once your custom transition is imported and tested, you can start experimenting with more advanced effects, like combining stingers with overlays, alerts, or scene-specific animations. With practice, transitions become a seamless part of your streaming workflow, elevating your production quality and keeping your audience engaged.
Step 4: Test and Tweak Your Custom Transition
Once your custom transition is imported into OBS Studio, the next critical step is testing it. This ensures that it not only looks good but also works smoothly in your live stream. Small tweaks here can make a big difference in how professional your stream feels.
1. Run a Test Scene Switch
Select two or more scenes in OBS and switch between them using your new transition.
Watch closely how the outgoing scene is covered, how the animation plays, and when the new scene appears.
Pay attention to timing: is the transition too fast, too slow, or just right?
Example: A 2-second logo swipe might feel rushed if your outgoing scene has text or important visuals. Adjust the transition point or animation length so viewers don’t miss anything.
2. Adjust the Transition Point
If the new scene appears too early or too late, tweak the Transition Point in the Stinger settings.
Small adjustments (even 0.1–0.2 seconds) can make your transition feel seamless.
Remember: the transition point is where OBS starts revealing the incoming scene during your animation.
3. Fine-Tune the Duration
Use the Default Transition Duration to control overall speed.
Shorter transitions feel snappier and work well for fast-paced gaming streams.
Longer transitions can look cinematic but might feel slow if overused.
Tip: Start with 1–2 seconds for most streams. Adjust from there based on your style and content.
4. Test with Actual Content
Test your transition with the type of content you stream.
For example, if you switch from gameplay to a face-cam scene, make sure the animation doesn’t hide important elements like in-game action or chat alerts.
Testing with real scenes helps you catch visual issues that don’t show up in blank or placeholder scenes.
5. Troubleshooting Common Issues
Issue | Fix |
Transition feels too abrupt | Increase duration or adjust transition point. |
New scene appears too early | Move the transition point further along in the animation. |
Animation looks choppy | Check frame rate and format of your animation file. MP4 or MOV at 30–60fps works best. |
Transparency isn’t working | Make sure your file supports alpha (transparent background) and OBS is set to display it correctly. |
Overlays or alerts get hidden | Test with your overlays active and adjust animation position or timing. |
6. Pro Tips for Streamers
Record a short clip: Use OBS’s recording function to review your transition in real time. Sometimes subtle issues are easier to spot on playback than during live preview.
Keep it consistent: Use the same transition style throughout your stream to avoid distracting your viewers.
Start simple: Even a small swipe or fade looks polished; you don’t need a complex animation to stand out.
Final Thoughts on Testing
Testing and tweaking is the step where your transition goes from “designed” to “stream-ready.” Take your time, adjust the timing, check overlays, and make sure it works seamlessly with your scenes. A well-tested transition not only looks professional but also keeps your audience engaged and focused on your content.
Step 5: Bonus Tips for Next-Level Transitions
Once you’ve mastered the basics of importing and testing your custom transition in OBS Studio, it’s time to take your streams to the next level. These bonus tips focus on creativity, branding, and making your transitions feel intentional rather than just functional.
1. Layer Multiple Graphics
Combine your stinger animation with overlays, alerts, or lower thirds to create a more dynamic effect.
Example: While your logo slides across the screen, a subtle animation in the corner highlights a follower alert or chat interaction.
Tip: Keep layers subtle—too many moving elements can distract your viewers from the main content.
2. Use Alpha Channels for Transparency
Alpha channels allow parts of your animation to be transparent, letting the underlying scene show through.
Example: A spinning logo that partially reveals the new scene as it moves adds visual interest without fully covering your content.
Most free tools (like Canva Pro or Kapwing) allow you to export animations with transparency.
3. Match Your Branding
Use your stream’s colors, fonts, and logos consistently across all transitions.
This creates a cohesive experience for your audience and reinforces your brand identity.
Example: If your overlay uses neon purple accents, integrate that color into your stinger animation for consistency.
4. Keep Consistency Across Your Stream
Stick to 1–2 transition styles for most of your content.
Using multiple drastically different transitions can feel chaotic and distract from your stream.
Even small variations (e.g., a subtle fade for chatting scenes, a swipe for gameplay) are fine if they serve a purpose.
5. Animate Your Logo or Branding Elements
Even a subtle animation—like a slide, spin, or fade—adds a polished touch.
Example: Your logo can slide in from the side as the outgoing scene fades, then exit smoothly to reveal the new scene.
Tip: Keep animations short (1–2 seconds) to avoid slowing down your stream pacing.
6. Experiment with Timing and Effects
Don’t be afraid to try different speeds, easing styles, or directions for your animation.
Example: A diagonal swipe might feel more dynamic than a simple horizontal slide.
Test in small increments and record sample clips to see what feels best for your content.
7. Integrate Alerts or Chat Elements
Pair your transition with alerts for followers, subscriptions, or donations to create engaging, interactive moments.
Example: When switching scenes, a small animated “New Follower” alert pops in sync with your stinger.
This makes transitions feel more intentional and gives viewers something extra to notice.
Transitions might seem like a small detail, but they have a big impact on the way your stream feels. Smooth, well-timed scene switches keep your viewers focused, enhance your brand, and make your content look intentional and polished. Even simple transitions—like a subtle fade or a short logo swipe—can elevate the overall production value of your stream.
By understanding OBS Studio’s transition options, designing your own graphics, importing and testing them carefully, and experimenting with advanced layering and branding techniques, you can create transitions that feel uniquely yours. The best part? You don’t need expensive software or complicated plugins—just a little creativity and practice.
Now it’s your turn: Start small, test your transitions, and tweak until they feel seamless. Experiment with timing, colors, and animations to find what fits your stream style. And most importantly, make it fun—your audience will notice the effort and polish.
Once you’ve created your first custom transition, share it with your community, get feedback, and continue refining your stream visuals. With each small improvement, your streams will look more professional, your brand will feel stronger, and your viewers will stay engaged longer.