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Watch the tutorial
Step 1: Import the paper MOGRT file
The effect comes as a Motion Graphics Template, a file ending in .mogrt (the video uses one called Paper). In Premiere Pro 24.0 or newer you can simply drag the file into the Project panel and it is ready to use.
On older versions Premiere shows a File Import Notification telling you that templates cannot be imported into the Project panel. That is fine, you just use the Essential Graphics panel instead. If you ever get stuck, our guide on how to install MOGRT files in Premiere Pro covers every method.
Step 2: Open the Essential Graphics panel
Open Window > Essential Graphics. If the entry has no check mark next to it, click it to enable the panel. In the panel, click the small Install Motion Graphics Template icon at the bottom right, then browse to your .mogrt file and press Open. The template now shows up under My Templates in the Browse tab.
Step 3: Add the paper to your timeline and replace the image
Drag the paper template from the panel onto a video track above your footage or background. In the video the paper sits over a color matte, which makes the animation easy to read.
Select the paper clip and switch to the Edit tab of Essential Graphics. Under Replace you will see the placeholder image. Drag your own picture from the Project panel straight into that box and it replaces the placeholder. A picture with a transparent background, like a cut-out car or product, looks best.
Below the preview you can pick a scaling option, such as Scale to fit, Scale to fill, Stretch to fill or No scale. With No scale you can move the picture around with the position controls and enlarge it with the scale controls until it sits just right in the frame.
Press the spacebar to preview. The crumpled paper flies in, unfolds and reveals your image.
Step 4: Make the animation longer
By default the animation is short, so the image disappears quickly. To hold the finished picture on screen for longer, you need to add a freeze at the end of the clip. Because the clip sits on a track with other layers, lock the rest first so they do not shift:
- Move the playhead to almost the end of the paper clip.
- Hold Shift and click the Toggle Track Lock button on one track. This locks all the other tracks at once.
- Do the same for the audio tracks so nothing in your sound moves either.
- Unlock only the track that holds the MOGRT.
Now right-click the paper clip and choose Insert Frame Hold Segment. Premiere adds a still segment at the playhead. Drag the end of the clip out to make it as long as you like, and the picture stays visible for that whole time.
Step 5: Fold the paper back up
To make the paper fold up again at the end, you reverse a copy of the animation:
- Select the first MOGRT layer.
- Hold Alt (Option on Mac) and drag it to the right to duplicate it.
- Line the copy up right after the end of the held segment.
- With the copy selected, press Ctrl + R (Cmd + R on Mac) to open Clip Speed / Duration.
- Tick Reverse Speed and click OK.
Finally, unlock all the other tracks again and play the sequence. The paper flies in, unfolds, holds your image and then folds away.
Tips
- Use transparent images. PNG cut-outs look the cleanest on the paper because nothing competes with the shape of the object.
- Keep the lock steps. Locking the other tracks before you insert the hold segment stops your other clips from sliding out of sync.
- Pick a calm background. A plain color matte, like the blue in the video, keeps the focus on the paper.
FAQ
Why can't I drag the MOGRT into the Project panel?
Older versions of Premiere Pro, before 24.0, do not allow it. Use the Install Motion Graphics Template button in the Essential Graphics panel instead.
Why is my paper animation so short?
The template plays once and ends. Add an Insert Frame Hold Segment near the end of the clip to hold the image for as long as you need.
How do I make the paper fold up again?
Duplicate the clip with Alt or Option, place the copy after the original and enable Reverse Speed in Clip Speed / Duration.
Want a ready-made version of this animation? Grab the paper animation template and drop it straight into your project.
