How do I make a vertical 9:16 video?
Last updated
To make a vertical video in DistilBook, choose 9:16 Portrait under Aspect ratio on the create form before you generate. It is available in both formats, Guided Explainer (whiteboard) and Motion Explainer, and the video is composed for a vertical screen rather than cropped from a landscape one, so it is ready for YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels and TikTok. The default is 16:9 Landscape for YouTube and presentations. To have the same content in both shapes, make the video twice from the same source, once in each aspect ratio.
What do you need before you start?
- A new video in Guided Explainer or Motion Explainer.
How do you do it, step by step?
- 1
Start a video
Choose Guided Explainer or Motion Explainer and add your source.
- 2
Pick 9:16 Portrait
Under Aspect ratio, select 9:16 Portrait (vertical video for Shorts, Reels and TikTok).
- 3
Keep it short
Set a short Length. Vertical platforms favour videos under a minute or two.
- 4
Generate and export
Review the narration, generate, then render and download the MP4.
What are the limits?
The honest list, so you know before you start rather than after.
- The aspect ratio is chosen before generating. A landscape video is not converted to vertical afterwards; make a second video instead.
- Edit images before continuing is not available on 9:16 videos.
Common questions
Does 9:16 work with the whiteboard style?
Yes. Both Guided Explainer (whiteboard) and Motion Explainer offer 9:16 Portrait.
Can one document become a lesson and a short?
Yes. Make it once in 16:9 Landscape for the lesson and once in 9:16 Portrait for Shorts or Reels.