How to Use the Crop Pad Filter in OBS Studio

This article explains what the Crop/Pad filter is in OBS Studio and provides a straightforward, step-by-step guide on how to apply it to your video sources. You will learn how this filter works to adjust your source dimensions and how to use it to clean up your stream overlays, webcam feeds, or window captures.

What is the Crop/Pad Filter?

The Crop/Pad filter in OBS Studio is an effect filter used to alter the visible boundaries of a source. It allows you to: * Crop: Cut off unwanted outer edges of a source (such as background clutter in a webcam feed or black bars in a video capture). * Pad: Add empty space (padding) around the edges of a source, which is useful for aligning elements or matching specific aspect ratios.

While you can perform quick crops directly on the OBS canvas by holding the Alt key and dragging the bounding box handles, the Crop/Pad filter offers pixel-perfect precision by allowing you to input exact numerical values.

How to Apply the Crop/Pad Filter in OBS Studio

Follow these steps to apply and configure the filter on any video source:

  1. Select Your Source: In the Sources dock at the bottom of the OBS Studio window, find the source you want to edit (e.g., Video Capture Device, Window Capture, or Media Source).
  2. Open the Filters Menu: Right-click on the source and select Filters from the context menu. Alternatively, click on the source to highlight it and click the Filters button located above the Sources dock.
  3. Add the Filter: In the Filters window that appears, look at the bottom-left section labeled Effect Filters. Click the + (plus) icon and select Crop/Pad from the list.
  4. Name the Filter: Enter a name for the filter (or leave it as the default “Crop/Pad”) and click OK.
  5. Adjust the Parameters: You will see four input fields: Left, Top, Right, and Bottom.
    • To Crop: Enter positive pixel values in these fields. For example, entering 100 in the “Left” field will chop 100 pixels off the left side of your source.
    • To Pad: Enter negative pixel values. For example, entering -50 in the “Right” field will add 50 pixels of empty space to the right side of the source.
  6. Close and Save: Once you are satisfied with the preview, click the Close button. The changes will be applied instantly to your OBS canvas.