Smoke Effect: Turn any video into a warzone scene, instantly
Thick smoke plumes rise in the background while fires flicker across the horizon. The Smoke Effect app turns your footage into a scene straight out of a war movie.
Atmosphere that feels like it was always there
The Smoke Effect app naturally adds smoke behind your subject, keeping them front and center while the background transforms into a haunting scene. The atmosphere feels like part of the original shoot, not something added on top.
Simple to use, no editing skills needed
Getting this look normally means finding smoke footage, layering it over your clip, and manually adjusting it until it looks right. With the Smoke Effect, upload your clip and the app does the rest — no timeline, no manual work.
Made for any creator, any project
The Smoke Effect app works across formats and creative styles, from building narratives and shooting social content to producing brand campaigns.
Music video directors
Give your performance footage the cinematic edge it needs. Rising smoke and flickering fires in the background add depth and drama to any shoot, without a single day on a war-themed set.
Short film producers
Set a scene without building one. Add a post-war atmosphere to existing footage and give your story the visual intensity it deserves. Think battlefield flashbacks, escape sequences, and abandoned cityscapes.
Social and content creators
Trending visuals don’t need a VFX team. Upload a clip, apply the smoke overlay, and post something that actually stops the scroll.
Frequently asked questions
The Smoke Effect is one of 70+ AI apps available on Artlist. It adds thick smoke plumes and distant fires to the background of your video, giving your footage a cinematic, post-war atmosphere.
Yes. The app works with existing video footage. Upload your clip, and the smoke is added to the background automatically, keeping your subject in the foreground intact.
The app works across a wide range of content, including music videos, short films, social clips, and branded content. It’s especially effective on footage with a clear foreground subject and visible sky or background space.
The output is yours to use commercially. The difference between plans is scope: the Social license applies to personal social channels, while Pro covers client work, paid media, and broadcast. Before using your video in a paid campaign or client delivery, check the Artlist license page to confirm your plan covers it.
Yes. Artlist’s free trial includes a limited number of AI generations — enough to run the Smoke Effect on your own footage and see whether the output works for your project. No card required, and you won’t be charged unless you choose to upgrade.
With a standard smoke overlay, you’re manually compositing a stock clip over your footage by adjusting opacity, blending modes, and timing by hand. The Smoke Effect app generates the atmosphere directly from your video, so the smoke sits naturally in the scene without any manual adjustment.
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