Use HeyMotion Graphics in Premiere Pro

HeyMotion exports a standard MP4 (H.264 / AVC, VP9 fallback) at 30, which imports directly into Adobe Premiere Pro. This guide covers bringing the clip in, placing it on your timeline, and keying green overlays with Premiere's Ultra Key effect.

#Overview

Full-frame graphics sit on a video track and play like any other clip. Overlay templates render on solid green (#00FF00) — Ultra Key removes that green so only the graphic composites over your footage. There is no transparent export yet, so keying is how overlays are made see-through.

#Before You Begin

Export your graphic first — see Export an MP4. The file is in your Downloads folder as <template-id>-<timestamp>.mp4. For YouTube, export at 16:9; see Export for YouTube. Export requires Google Chrome (desktop) or another Chromium browser.

#Step-by-Step Instructions

#1. Import the MP4

In Premiere, choose File → Import (or double-click an empty area of the Project panel) and select the exported .mp4. It appears as a clip in your Project panel.

#2. Place it on the timeline

Drag the clip onto a video track above your main footage (for example, V2 over V1). Full-screen intros and end cards can go on the base track instead.

#3. Resize and position

Select the clip, open the Effect Controls panel, and adjust Scale and Position under Motion. The export is delivered at full resolution, so scaling down stays crisp.

#4. Trim to length

Drag the clip's edges in the timeline, or use the razor tool, to trim it to the exact on-screen duration you want.

#5. Key green overlays with Ultra Key

For any overlay template (Lower-third tag, Subscribe bar, Circle highlight, and the rest of the Overlays family):

1. Select the overlay clip on the timeline.
2. In the Effects panel, search for Ultra Key and drag it onto the clip.
3. In Effect Controls, click the Key Color eyedropper and sample the green background in the program monitor.
4. Set Setting to Aggressive, then refine Matte Generation and Matte Cleanup until the green is fully gone and the graphic's edges stay clean.

#Export Recommendations

Export in the same aspect ratio as your sequence. The H.264 file is broadly compatible; if you prefer, you can transcode to a mezzanine codec on ingest, but it isn't required for editing.

#Common Problems

• Green fringe on the keyed graphic — increase Matte Cleanup (Choke / Soften) in Ultra Key, or scale the overlay slightly so any fringe falls off-screen.
• Playback stutters on the overlay track — render the timeline (Sequence → Render In to Out) for smooth preview.
• Clip won't import — the export may have failed. See Troubleshoot a Failed Export.

#Related Articles

See Export for YouTube and Use HeyMotion Graphics in Final Cut Pro.