# Horizontal to Vertical Video Outpainting Technique

> Convert landscape video to 9:16 using AI outpainting and overlay masks

A video editing workflow that converts widescreen footage into vertical format without cropping the sides or zooming in. By taking a still frame, expanding it to 9:16 using AI outpainting, and masking it over the video, the original motion stays intact in the center while AI fills the top and bottom.

## How it works

1. Take a clean still frame screenshot from your horizontal video.
2. Open Photoleap, go to 'ИИ-отмена обрезки' (AI Uncrop), upload the still frame, set the aspect ratio to 9:16, and stretch the frame to let AI generate the missing ceiling and floor background.
3. Pick the best result out of the generated options and save the vertical image.
4. Open your mobile video editor (such as CapCut), import the original horizontal video, and set canvas ratio to 9:16.
5. At the point where the shot expands, add the generated vertical photo as an Overlay (Наложение).
6. Apply a linear or split Mask (Маска) to mask only the top and bottom AI-generated sections, leaving the central moving video visible.

## What it is for

- Repurpose horizontal widescreen footage for Reels, TikTok, or Shorts without cropping
- Avoid blurry duplicated background bars on horizontal video clips
- Expand static or locked-off camera shots into full vertical format

## Key points

- Capture a clean still frame from the horizontal video
- Use AI uncrop/outpainting (such as in Photoleap) to expand the frame to 9:16
- Import the original horizontal video into a vertical canvas in a mobile video editor
- Add the expanded vertical image as an overlay layer
- Apply a split or linear mask so the moving horizontal footage shows through the center while AI borders fill top and bottom

## Pricing

Free

## Details

- Type: Tip
- Category: [Design](https://xiry.app/topics/design.md)
- Topic: [Video Editing](https://xiry.app/topics/design/video-editing.md)
- Open source: no
- Platforms: iOS, Android
- For: Video editors and content creators repurposing landscape footage for vertical social platforms
- Alternative to: Blur background filler, Center crop
- Tags: video editing, outpainting, capcut, photoleap, reels, generative ai

## Why it was saved

- [@reelsprogo, 18 March 2024](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4po2qVsYvc/): Allows adapting widescreen video for vertical formats (Reels, TikTok) without zooming in or cutting off sides of the frame.

## Related

- [Captions](https://xiry.app/resources/captions): AI-powered video editor that automates subtitles, cuts, and visual polish. (Mobile app, Freemium)
- [Submagic](https://xiry.app/resources/submagic): AI video editor for automated captions, B-roll, and short-form clips (Web app, Freemium)
- [Gling](https://xiry.app/resources/gling): AI video editor that cuts bad takes, silences, and filler words (Desktop app, Freemium)
- [VEED.IO](https://xiry.app/resources/veed-io): Browser-based video editor with automated AI trimming, subtitles, and eye tracking (Web app, Freemium)
- [4 Ways to Use AI in Reels and Video Editing](https://xiry.app/resources/4-ways-to-use-ai-in-reels-and-video-editing): Practical generative AI techniques for framing, decor, removal, and element replacement. (Tip, Free)
- [AI Set Dressing for Static Video](https://xiry.app/resources/ai-set-dressing-for-static-video): Workflow for adding virtual props and decor to locked-off footage (Tip, Free)

Updated 3 October 2026. Page: https://xiry.app/resources/horizontal-to-vertical-video-outpainting-technique

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