When should I use a timeline effect instead of AI video-to-video editing?
Last updated September 30, 2026
Use a timeline effect when your footage already contains the action you want and you need an adjustable visual treatment. Use generative video-to-video editing when you want a model to transform the visual content of the shot. invideo supports both workflows.
The invideo agent inside invideo Editor can build effects such as directional light trails or lens distortion on existing footage. Their exposed parameters let you refine the look without generating replacement footage.
For example, stretching a streetlight into a controllable streak is a timeline-effects task. Transforming the street scene into an illustrated world is a generative task.
Some edits combine both: generate a stylised visual insert, place it precisely on the timeline, then add effects or transitions around it. You retain control over clip placement, duration, layers and supported effect parameters. Changes within generated imagery may require another generation.
The guide to choosing effects or new visual content explains the underlying editing decision.