ZELLAWebcam Bubble & Backgrounds in Zella
Quick answer: In Zella’s Setup panel, click Studio to open Studio Settings. On the Camera tab, pick a bubble shape (Circle/Wide/Portrait), size (S/M/L), and default corner, then choose a background — Camera (real), Blur, Remove (AI background removal), a solid color, or an image preset (Bokeh, Office, Nature, Sunset). Toggle Mirror off when showing text to camera. The Border, Zoom, and Cursor tabs fine-tune the rest.
On this page: open Studio Settings · camera tab · backgrounds · mirror · border/zoom/cursor · recommended setups · adjust later · impact · FAQ
How to open Studio Settings
- Click the Zella icon in the menu bar to open the Setup panel.
- Click Studio (top-right).
The Studio Settings panel opens with five tabs: Camera · Border · Zoom · Cursor · Export. Use Back to return.
Figure: ① camera shape, ② bubble size & position, ③ background (Blur/Remove/solid/image), ④ mirror.
How to set the bubble shape, size, and position
On the Camera tab:
- Camera Shape — Circle (classic round), Wide (rounded landscape), Portrait (vertical, great for 9:16).
- Bubble Size — S / M / L (Medium is a good tutorial default).
- Default Position — Top L · Top R · Bot L · Bot R (bottom-right by default). You can also drag the bubble anywhere in the editor afterward.
How to blur or replace your background
Under Background:
- Camera — your real background, untouched (lightest on performance).
- Blur — softly blurs your real background.
- Remove — AI background removal (cuts you out).
- Studio / Navy / Slate / Rose — solid color backdrops.
- Image Presets — swap in a scene: Bokeh, Office, Nature, Sunset (scroll for more).
Performance: Blur/Remove/image backgrounds use the GPU and may affect performance on Intel Macs. Camera (live) is the lightest option. Zella keeps your lips in sync even with a composited background.
When to turn Mirror on or off
The Mirror toggle (under “Look Good”) flips the camera horizontally so it matches how you see yourself. Turn it off when you’ll show text or a screen to camera — otherwise the text reads backwards.
Border, Zoom, and Cursor tabs
- Border — add and style a border/frame around the bubble so it reads cleanly over any screen content.
- Zoom — set defaults for auto-zoom behavior during recording (fine control happens in the editor — chapter 12).
- Cursor — set the cursor style and whether clicks/motion are emphasized. Recorded cursor data also powers auto-zoom on clicks.
- Export — default export format/quality/platform for new projects.
Recommended bubble setups
| Content | Shape | Size | Position | Background |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube tutorial | Circle | M | Bottom-right | Blur |
| Vertical reel | Portrait | L | Bottom area | Remove or image |
| Course lesson | Wide | M | Bottom-left | Studio (solid) |
| Quick async update | Circle | S | Top-right | Camera (live) |
How to adjust the bubble after recording
You’re not locked in. In the editor:
- Open the Webcam tab (right inspector) to adjust bubble properties.
- On an Original-aspect preview you can drag the bubble to reposition; on a cropped/reframed preview, use the position sliders.
How to show your name on the camera bubble
In the editor’s Webcam tab, turn on the name label and type your name (the “Your name” field). Zella renders it as a small label on your camera bubble — a built-in lower-third so viewers know who’s talking, without building a separate title. Leave the field blank (or the toggle off) to hide it. Pairs well with the Look & Sound Good camera touch-ups.
What impact a good bubble setup has
For content creators and video editors, the camera bubble is the personal connection that turns a faceless screen recording into content people follow:
- Higher trust and watch-time — seeing a presenter builds parasocial connection, which drives both completion and subscriptions.
- On-brand consistency — a fixed shape, size, and background makes every video recognizably yours.
- Clean composition — Blur/Remove backgrounds hide a messy room so the focus stays on you and the screen.
Camera and background FAQ
How do I add my webcam as a bubble over a screen recording? Turn on Camera + Screen in the Setup panel; configure the bubble in Studio → Camera.
How do I blur or remove my background? Studio → Camera → Background → Blur or Remove (AI cutout).
Why does text look backwards in my camera? Mirror is on — turn it off when showing text to camera.
Can I move the bubble after I record? Yes — drag it on the Original preview, or use sliders in the Webcam tab on a cropped preview.
Will background replacement slow down my Intel Mac? It can — use the Camera (live) background for the lightest performance.
Pro tips & gotchas
- Turn Mirror off whenever you’ll show text or a screen to the camera, or it reads backwards.
- Blur and replacement backgrounds use the GPU — on an older Mac a solid color is the lightest, most reliable option.
- Place the bubble where it won’t cover the UI you’re about to demo; you can also reposition it in the editor.
- Pair Touch up + Auto light for a flattering, well-lit look on any webcam — see Look & sound good.
Related: Recording modes → · Auto-zoom & cursor → · Reframe →