How to create a swipe effect in Powtoon

How to create a swipe effect in Powtoon

This article explains how to build a swipe effect that mimics a finger swiping across a mobile device or tablet screen — all using standard Powtoon Studio features.

A video tutorial is also available for this topic. The steps below cover the same process in full text so you can follow along without watching.

Before you start

You need three images before you begin:

• An image of a mobile device or tablet (the device frame)
• An image of a finger (to animate the swipe gesture)
• Two screen content images — one displayed before the swipe and one displayed after

You can search for all of these inside Powtoon Studio's image library, or upload your own.

Setting up the device frame

1. Search for an image of a mobile device or tablet that matches your needs and add it to the stage.
2. Resize the device image so it fills as much of the stage as possible.
3. Select the device image, then set both its enter and exit effects to No Effect.

Adding the first screen content image

1. Add the image you want displayed on the device screen before the swipe occurs.
2. Resize and position it so it fits precisely inside the device screen area.
3. Set both the enter and exit effects of this image to No Effect.
4. In the timeline, drag the timeline tag for this screen content image on top of the timeline tag for the device frame so both objects appear together on the stage at the same time.

Adding and animating the finger

1. Search for an image of a finger and add it to the stage.
2. Position the finger image on the device screen where the swipe gesture will begin.
3. Create the finger movement:
   1. Select the finger image.
   2. Click Settings, then click A to B. A duplicate of the finger appears, representing its end position.
   3. Drag the duplicated finger to the opposite side of the screen — this is where the swipe gesture ends.
4. Set both the enter and exit effects of the finger to No Effect.
5. Make sure the finger always appears on top of the other elements:
   1. Select the finger in its starting position.
   2. Right-click the finger.
   3. Click Bring to front.

Adding the second screen content image

1. Add the image you want displayed after the swipe.
2. Resize and position it so it covers the first screen content image completely.
3. Set both the enter and exit effects of this image to No Effect.

Sequencing the timeline

To create a smooth swipe effect, arrange the objects on the timeline in this order:

1. The device frame image and the first screen content image — these start together at the beginning of the scene.
2. The finger movement — set this to begin approximately half a second after the first screen content image appears.
3. The second screen content image — set this to appear approximately half a second after the finger movement begins.

When sequenced correctly, the scene shows the device with the first image on screen, the finger swipes across, and the second image replaces the first — simulating a real swipe gesture.

Note: The exact timing values depend on the overall duration of your scene. Adjust the half-second offsets to suit your pacing if needed.