Want to make your color source round in OBS Studio? You’re in the right place! It’s simple, fun, and only takes a few minutes. Whether you’re adding flair to a webcam frame or creating stylish overlays, rounding your color source gives your stream a fresh, modern look. Let’s dive in!
What’s a Color Source?
A color source is just what it sounds like—a flat block of color you can add in OBS Studio. You can use it as a background, a border, or even as a transition element. But by default, it’s a boring rectangle. Let’s give it some personality!
Why Make It Round?
Circles look cool. Simple as that! A round color source can act as a spotlight, a profile background, or even a button. Plus, it helps break up the boxy design of usual layouts. Your stream deserves some curves!
Step-by-Step: How to Round Your Color Source
No need to code. No magic either. Just follow these fun and easy steps to round any color source in OBS Studio.
Step 1: Add a Color Source
- Open OBS Studio.
- In your Sources list, click the + button.
- Select Color Source.
- Give it a name. Something like “Cool Circle”.
- Pick your favorite color and adjust the size.
Great! You now have a solid blob of color on your canvas.
Step 2: Create a Rounded Mask
This is where the magic happens. You’ll use an image mask to shape your color source into a circle.
- Open an image editor like GIMP, Photoshop, or even Canva.
- Create a new image with a transparent background.
- Draw a solid white circle—this is the shape you’ll use to “cut” your color.
- Save it as a PNG. Make sure the background stays transparent.
Why PNG? Because JPG doesn’t handle transparency. PNG keeps the background invisible, which is perfect for masks.
Step 3: Add a Filter
Time to use that fancy circle mask you just made.
- Go back to OBS.
- Right-click your color source and click Filters.
- In the Effect Filters section, click the + and choose Image Mask/Blend.
- Name it something like “Circle Mask”.
- Set the Type to Alpha Mask (Color Channel).
- Under Path, load your circle PNG image.
- Ta-da! Your color source is now round.
If it’s not quite perfect, adjust your source size or mask image until it lines up just right. You can always tweak the image in your editor to make it more precise.
Troubleshooting
Not working? Don’t worry! Here are some quick tips:
- Mask is black or invisible? Make sure your circle is white and the background is transparent.
- Color source disappears? That means the mask didn’t apply properly—check your image path and type setting.
- Wrong shape? Double-check that your mask image is a perfect circle. Oval masks won’t create a round look unless your color source matches the aspect ratio.
Once you get it right once, you’ll be a master for life!
Make It Fancy
Now that your color source is round, let’s jazz it up! Here are some creative ideas:
- Add a border: Use another shape layer behind your circle.
- Glow effect: Add a blurred version of the circle underneath in a brighter color.
- Use animation: Try moving your circle—or fading it in and out with OBS transitions.
Save Time with Pre-Made Masks
Don’t want to create your own mask? No problem!
- Search the web for “transparent circle PNG” or “OBS circle mask”.
- You’ll find thousands of free resources.
- Just be sure the image is white on transparent background—those are the rules for OBS masks!
Download, apply, and done. Easy peasy.
Can You Do This with Other Sources?
Absolutely! You can use the same method to round:
- Webcams
- Images
- Videos
- Game capture windows
Basically anything you can throw into OBS. Just apply the same image mask filter, and boom—circle!
Final Tips and Tricks
- Want a perfect circle? Make the width and height exactly the same when you resize your color source.
- Keep your mask images organized in a folder so you can reuse them later.
- Save your setup as a Scene Collection, so you don’t have to set it up again.
Go Beyond the Circle
Feeling adventurous? You’re not limited to circles. Try:
- Heart-shaped masks
- Stars
- Speech bubbles
As long as the mask is white on a transparent background, you can shape your source however you want. Get creative and make your stream reflect your vibe!
Wrap-Up
See how easy that was? You’ve just turned a boring rectangle into a stylish circle—all in OBS Studio. It’s fun, fast, and adds a splash of personality to your stream layout. Remember:
- Add a color source
- Create or find a circle mask
- Use the Image Mask/Blend filter
Play around with colors, shapes, and effects. OBS gives you so much freedom, so go have fun with it!
Your circle game is now strong. Happy streaming!
