How to turn a photo into an animated collage (cutout to video)

You have an ordinary photo — of a product, a client, yourself — and want to turn it into an editorial-style video. The shortest path in Editor de Vídeo Online combines two modes: the Paper effect, which cuts out the photo with a paper border, and the Vox collage, which animates each piece. In this tutorial you will turn a photo into an animated collage from scratch.

The workflow in one sentence

Photo → cutout with a paper border → Add to collage → supporting elements → animation → video.

Step 1: cut out the photo in the Paper effect

1. Open the Paper effect tab and upload the photo.
2. Remove the background. For people with loose hair or busy backgrounds, use Remove with AI; for plain backgrounds, Plain background. See the 5 background removal methods.
3. Fix details with Quick selection, Lasso or the Erase and Restore brushes.

Step 2: add the paper border

• Choose Torn for a handmade look or Scissors for a clean magazine cut.
• A white border is the Vox-style classic; cream and kraft suit a retro look.
• Adjust the shadow so the cutout "lifts" off the background.

Drag the preview line to compare before and after. More details in paper cutout effect.

Step 3: Add to collage

Click Add to collage. The cutout enters the Vox collage as a new element with the Unfold animation.

• If no collage is open, Editor de Vídeo Online starts a new collage with just that cutout.
• Drag it on the preview to position it; size, rotation and remove are in the right panel.
• The cutout stays when you regenerate, change the format or recut, and it is saved when you reload.

Step 4: add supporting elements

A collage with a single cutout looks nice; with a few elements around it, it tells a story. Options:

• Cut out more photos in the Paper effect and add them to the same collage.
• Import an elements sheet (arrows, tape, icons) in + Import elements (see the elements kit).
• Choose a paper background from the gallery (beige, kraft, notebook…).

Keep it to 4–10 elements to avoid clutter.

Step 5: animate

1. Click Generate animation.
2. Pick a preset style: Classic Vox, Dynamic, Soft or Stop motion.
3. Adjust each element's animation — the main photo can keep Unfold or use Paste paper.
4. Set the entrance order by dragging list items.
5. Turn on a camera move such as Ken Burns or Zoom in.

Step 6: record

Click Record video and keep the tab visible. The MP4 downloads and also goes to the Studio, where you can join it with other scenes.

Worked example: a product post

Frequently asked questions

Can I add several cutouts to the same collage?

Yes. Repeat the process in the Paper effect and click Add to collage for each photo.

Does the cutout lose quality in the collage?

No. Edges are calculated at the final video resolution, and the shadow comes along with the element.

Can I just use the PNG without animating?

Yes. Save PNG downloads the cutout with a transparent background. See posts and thumbnails with the paper effect.

Conclusion

With the Paper effect and Vox collage working together, any photo becomes an editorial video in minutes. Cut out, add, animate and record. Transform your photo in Editor de Vídeo Online.