Fire and smoke overlays
Set a fire or smoke clip to Screen to blend it seamlessly onto your footage — the black background disappears while the bright flames remain.
Layer Compositing
BlendingModes
24 blending modes. Choose any mode and pair it with per-layer Alpha (0–100%) for precise composite control.
What it does
24 blending modes
A plain alpha slider mixes every pixel equally. Blending Modes give you better control. KineMaster supports all 24 modes: Normal, Multiply, Darken, Color Burn, Linear Burn, Lighten, Screen, Average, Linear Dodge, Color Dodge, Add, Overlay, Soft Light, Hard Light, Vivid Light, Linear Light, Pin Light, Hard Mix, Difference, Exclusion, Subtract, Phoenix, Negation, Reflect, and Glow. Combine any mode with Alpha to make subtle changes to how each blended layer interacts with the layers below it.
Multiply
Darkens overlapping pixels
Multiply combines the values of the layer the blending option is applied to with the one below it and results in darker colors and shadows.
ShadowsInk texturesDark grain
Screen
Lightens overlapping pixels
Screen is the opposite of Multiply. The values of your selected layer and the one below it increase in brightness.
Fire & smokeLight leaksLens flares
blending modes,full set
Every mode from Multiply and Screen to stylized Phoenix and Glow. Tap any mode in the Blending options panel and pair it with Alpha 0–100%.
- Normal
- Multiply
- Darken
- Color Burn
- Linear Burn
- Lighten
- Screen
- Average
- Linear Dodge
- Color Dodge
- Add
- Overlay
- Soft Light
- Hard Light
- Vivid Light
- Linear Light
- Pin Light
- Hard Mix
- Difference
- Exclusion
- Subtract
- Phoenix
- Negation
- Reflect
- Glow
Grouped by behavior: Darken (Multiply, Darken, Color Burn, Linear Burn) · Lighten (Lighten, Screen, Average, Linear Dodge, Color Dodge, Add) · Contrast (Overlay, Soft Light, Hard Light, Vivid Light, Linear Light, Pin Light, Hard Mix) · Comparative (Difference, Exclusion, Subtract) · Special (Phoenix, Negation, Reflect, Glow) · Normal.
- 24 modes total: Darken (Multiply, Darken, Color Burn, Linear Burn), Lighten (Lighten, Screen, Average, Linear Dodge, Color Dodge, Add), Contrast (Overlay, Soft Light, Hard Light, Vivid Light, Linear Light, Pin Light, Hard Mix), Comparative (Difference, Exclusion, Subtract), Special (Phoenix, Negation, Reflect, Glow)
- Per-layer Alpha: 0–100% transparency
- Stack multiple layers with blending modes applied for complex VFX
- Non-destructive — remove or change mode at any time
How to use
How to use Blending Modes
Five steps from layer to composite.
- Step 1
Add a media layer
Add a media layer you want to blend. It can be a video clip or image on top of your main clip.
- Step 2
Open Blending
Tap the layer to select it. Then, tap Blending.
- Step 3
Choose a mode
Tap Blending and one of the modes. The Preview screen will automatically update, so you can compare how different Blending Modes look.
- Step 4
Adjust Alpha
Use the Alpha slider to adjust the layer's overall opacity from 0 to 100%.
- Step 5
Stack for more
You can apply one Blending mode per layer, but you can have multiple layers on screen at the same time in a stack on the Timeline.
Use cases
Three ways creators use Blending Modes
From fire and smoke overlays to cinematic light leaks and dark ink textures — each mode unlocks a different look.
Light leaks and lens flares
Apply a light leak overlay on Screen mode for a film-style finish that brightens only where the flare hits, leaving the rest of the scene untouched.
Dark textures and ink effects
Use Multiply to layer ink, grain, or dark texture onto footage — the bright areas stay clear while only the dark tones of the overlay print through.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about layer compatibility, Multiply vs Screen, Alpha, and non-destructive editing.
How many blending modes does KineMaster support?
KineMaster supports 24 blending modes: Normal, Multiply, Darken, Color Burn, Linear Burn, Lighten, Screen, Average, Linear Dodge, Color Dodge, Add, Overlay, Soft Light, Hard Light, Vivid Light, Linear Light, Pin Light, Hard Mix, Difference, Exclusion, Subtract, Phoenix, Negation, Reflect, and Glow.
What layer types support Blending Modes?
Blending Modes can be applied to video, image, text, handwriting, and sticker layers.
What is the difference between multiply and screen?
Multiply darkens overlapping pixels: ideal for shadows, textures, and ink. Screen lightens them: ideal for fire, smoke, light leaks, and lens flares.
Can I use Blending Modes alongside Alpha?
Yes. You can combine a Blending modes with the Alpha slider on the same layer for further transparency control.
Are Blending Modes non-destructive?
Yes. Blending Modes are applied on top of the original layer and can be removed or changed at any time without affecting the source footage.
Can I stack multiple blending layers?
Only one Blending mode can be applied to a layer. However, multiple layers can be stacked on the Timeline, each with a different Blending mode applied for complex VFX.
Related features
Pair Blending Modes with these tools
Combine Blending Modes with other KineMaster features to build more complete composite visuals.
Multi-layer Editing
Multiple layers can be stacked on the Timeline, each with a different Blending mode applied for complex VFX.
Chroma Key
Alternative compositing method; can be used alongside Blending for more complex setups.
Color Filters
Combine color Filters with Blending modes for interesting aesthetics.
Composite fire, smoke, and light —free.
Download KineMaster free on iOS and Android.
