CapCut AI Features

CapCut has evolved from a simple mobile editor to a powerful AI-enhanced editing platform. Its AI features make professional-looking videos accessible to everyone. Let's master its capabilities.

What is CapCut?

CapCut is a free video editor from ByteDance (TikTok's parent company):

• Desktop app: Full-featured editor for Mac/Windows
• Web app: Browser-based editing
• Mobile app: iOS and Android

All versions include AI features, though desktop has the most.

Key AI Features

Auto Captions

CapCut's auto-captioning is fast and accurate.

How to use:

1. Import your video
2. Click "Text" → "Auto captions"
3. Select language
4. Wait for processing
5. Edit any errors
6. Style your captions

Caption styles:

• Basic (clean, minimal)
• Trending (animated, eye-catching)
• Custom (your own design)

Pro tips:

• Use "Batch edit" to fix recurring errors
• "Apply to all" for consistent styling
• Export SRT file for use elsewhere

Smart Cutout (Background Removal)

Remove backgrounds from video without green screen.

How to use:

1. Select your clip
2. Go to "Video" → "Cutout"
3. Choose "Auto cutout"
4. AI processes frame by frame
5. Adjust edges if needed

Works best with:

• Clear subject separation
• Good lighting
• Minimal fast movement
• Single subject

Use cases:

• Talking head on custom background
• Product floating effect
• Creative compositions

Auto Reframe

Convert videos between aspect ratios intelligently.

How to use:

1. Start new project with target ratio
2. Import your 16:9 video
3. Right-click → "Auto reframe"
4. AI tracks and reframes

Supported conversions:

• 16:9 → 9:16 (YouTube to TikTok)
• 16:9 → 1:1 (YouTube to Instagram)
• Any ratio to any ratio

Text-to-Speech

Generate AI voiceovers from text.

How to use:

1. Click "Text" → "Text to speech"
2. Type your script
3. Choose a voice
4. Generate audio
5. Add to timeline

Voice options:

• Multiple languages
• Male/female voices
• Different accents
• Character voices (robot, etc.)

Quality: Good for drafts and casual content; consider ElevenLabs for professional work.

AI Voice Effects

Modify existing voice recordings.

Available effects:

• Voice changer (alter pitch/tone)
• Voice enhancer (improve clarity)
• Background noise removal

Auto Velocity (Speed Ramping)

AI automatically creates speed ramps.

How to use:

1. Select clip
2. Go to "Speed" → "Curve"
3. Choose "Auto velocity"
4. AI analyzes and suggests speed changes

Best for:

• Action sequences
• Dramatic reveals
• Music video effects

AI Image Generator

Generate images directly in CapCut.

How to use:

1. Click "Elements" → "AI Image"
2. Describe what you want
3. Generate and insert

Use cases:

• Quick thumbnails
• Overlay graphics
• Background images

Essential CapCut Workflows

The Social Media Edit

Quick workflow for social content:

1. Import raw footage
2. Auto captions → generate and style
3. Trim unnecessary parts
4. Add trending music from library
5. Apply filter for consistent look
6. Export at optimal settings

Time: 5-10 minutes for a 60-second video

The Podcast Clip

Extract clips from long-form content:

1. Import podcast video
2. Auto captions for reference
3. Identify key moments
4. Cut clips (15-60 seconds)
5. Auto reframe to 9:16
6. Style captions (trending style)
7. Add progress bar (optional)
8. Export for TikTok/Reels

The Talking Head Enhancement

Polish a simple talking head video:

1. Import raw footage
2. Smart cutout background
3. Add new background (image/video)
4. Color correct speaker
5. Auto captions with styling
6. Add lower third with name/title
7. Background music (low volume)
8. Export

Pro Tips for CapCut

Keyboard Shortcuts

Speed up your editing:

Action	Mac	Windows
Split	⌘B	Ctrl+B
Delete	Delete	Delete
Undo	⌘Z	Ctrl+Z
Play/Pause	Space	Space
Zoom in timeline	⌘+	Ctrl++

Template Strategy

Save time with templates:

1. Create a project with your preferred:
   • Fonts and text styles
   • Color filters
   • Intro/outro
   • Caption styling
2. Save as template
3. Start new projects from template

Caption Best Practices

For maximum engagement:

• 3-4 words per line maximum
• Center aligned for vertical video
• High contrast colors
• Add emoji strategically
• Highlight key words with color

Export Settings

Optimal settings by platform:

Platform	Resolution	FPS	Format
TikTok	1080x1920	30	MP4
Instagram Reels	1080x1920	30	MP4
YouTube	1920x1080	30/60	MP4
YouTube Shorts	1080x1920	30	MP4

Free vs. Pro

Free Tier Includes

• All basic AI features
• Auto captions
• Background removal
• Most effects and filters
• CapCut watermark on some features

Pro ($9.99/month) Adds

• No watermarks
• Cloud storage
• Premium effects/filters
• Priority processing
• Commercial license

Verdict: Free tier is genuinely powerful. Pro is worth it for professionals.

Limitations to Know

Background removal:

• Struggles with fine hair
• Issues with fast movement
• Not perfect on complex backgrounds

Auto captions:

• Accuracy varies with audio quality
• Technical terms often wrong
• Needs manual review

AI voices:

• Can sound robotic
• Limited emotional range
• Better tools exist for pro work

Integration with Other Tools

CapCut works well with:

• Runway/Pika: Generate clips, edit in CapCut
• Canva: Design graphics for overlay
• ElevenLabs: Better voiceovers imported
• Midjourney: Generated images as backgrounds

Key Takeaway

CapCut democratizes video editing with powerful AI features at no cost. Its auto captions, background removal, and smart reframing make it ideal for social media content creators. Master the keyboard shortcuts, build templates, and combine with generation tools for a powerful workflow. In the next lesson, we'll explore Descript—a different approach to AI editing built around text-based workflows.