The text-behind-subject effect
This technique places text at a specific depth within your video frame, allowing subjects closer to the camera to naturally occlude the text. The result is a layered composition where text appears integrated into the scene rather than superimposed on top of it.
The effect has become popular across social media and professional video production because it creates visual depth without requiring complex compositing software.
Traditional methods
The conventional approach in After Effects or similar software requires rotoscoping: manually tracing around your subject frame by frame to create a mask. For a 10-second clip at 30fps, this means potentially adjusting 300 individual frames. Edge refinement around hair and fine details adds additional time.
Semi-automated tools like Roto Brush reduce the workload but still require significant cleanup, particularly with complex backgrounds or when subjects have irregular silhouettes.
How AI depth detection works
Modern depth estimation models analyze each frame to determine the relative distance of every pixel from the camera. This creates a depth map where values represent spatial position rather than edge boundaries.
With accurate depth information, placing text "behind" a subject becomes straightforward. The text is assigned a depth value. Any pixels closer than that value render in front of the text. This calculation happens automatically for every frame.
The processing runs entirely in your browser using WebGL acceleration. No files are uploaded to external servers.
Creating the effect
The process in v8eo's depth editor:
1. Upload your video. Supported formats include MP4, MOV, and WebM.
2. Add text. Click to place text in your frame. Bold, high-contrast fonts work best for this effect. Keep text concise.
3. Select your subject. Click on the person or object you want the text to appear behind. The AI will segment and track this subject.
4. Adjust depth threshold. The threshold slider controls how aggressively text is occluded. Lower values hide text behind more of the scene; higher values only hide text behind the closest objects.
5. Export. Free tier exports at 720p. Pro tier includes 4K export without watermarks.
Optimizing results
Certain footage characteristics produce better results:
Subject separation. Clear distinction between subject and background improves depth estimation accuracy. A person against a plain wall produces cleaner results than a person in a crowded environment.
Consistent lighting. Even illumination helps the AI accurately perceive depth. Strong directional shadows can create ambiguity in depth calculation.
Moderate motion. The effect handles natural movement well. Rapid motion blur may reduce accuracy in affected frames.
Text placement. Position text where it will interact meaningfully with your subject. The effect is most noticeable when text appears behind a face or upper body.
Comparison with professional tools
After Effects and similar software offer more granular control. For broadcast work or projects requiring pixel-perfect accuracy, professional compositing tools remain the standard.
For social media content, quick iterations, or projects where speed matters more than perfection, browser-based depth detection provides comparable visual results in significantly less time.
Many editors use browser tools for rapid prototyping before committing to a full After Effects workflow.
Try it
Open the editor, upload a video, and test the effect on your footage. The entire process takes under a minute. No account required.
Complete your video
Once you have depth text in place, consider adding:
- Auto-generated captions for accessibility and engagement
- Film color grades to establish visual mood
Related: Cinematic video editing for beginners | Best caption styles for social media