Epic Metallic Title Effect Tutorial: Mortal Kombat Inspired - HitFilm Pro & Express

Updated at: 16/07/2025

Unleash your inner warrior with this tutorial! Learn to create epic, Mortal Kombat-inspired metallic title effects in HitFilm Pro & Express. We'll guide you through the process, from initial design to final polish, using readily accessible tools and techniques. Get ready to add a powerful, cinematic touch to your next project – no prior experience required! Let's get started.

Methods: Creating a Metallic Title Effect in HitFilm Pro

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the Text and Logo

    • Download and install the font (link in description). Open a new composite shot in HitFilm, add a text layer, type your text, select the font, increase font size and letter spacing.
    • Create a new square composite shot, add a white plane, use the ellipse mask tool to create a circle that fills the frame. Duplicate the mask, set its blend to subtract, and decrease the expansion to create a ring shape. Drag in your logo image and adjust the scale.
    • Add a fill color effect to the logo (solid gray). Drag this comp into the previous comp and scale it down. Add a new composite shot and drag in the finished logo. Animate the scale of the logo so it slowly zooms in.
    Add a fill color effect to the logo (solid gray). Drag this comp into the previous comp and scale it down. Add a new composite shot and drag in the finished logo. Animate the scale of the logo so it slowly zooms in. Add a fill color effect to the logo (solid gray). Drag this comp into the previous comp and scale it down. Add a new composite shot and drag in the finished logo. Animate the scale of the logo so it slowly zooms in. Add a fill color effect to the logo (solid gray). Drag this comp into the previous comp and scale it down. Add a new composite shot and drag in the finished logo. Animate the scale of the logo so it slowly zooms in.
    Prepare the Text and Logo

  2. Apply Bevel Effect (HitFilm Pro)

    • Add the Surface Studio effect to the logo. Remove the edge offset and increase the bevel height to 100, then increase the bevel size.
    Add the Surface Studio effect to the logo. Remove the edge offset and increase the bevel height to 100, then increase the bevel size.
    Apply Bevel Effect (HitFilm Pro)

  3. Add and Adjust Lighting

    • Set the illumination type to comp lights, add a new light layer (directional), position the light above the logo pointing down. Add an additional red colored point light in front of the logo, reduce intensity and reach.
    Set the illumination type to comp lights, add a new light layer (directional), position the light above the logo pointing down. Add an additional red colored point light in front of the logo, reduce intensity and reach.
    Add and Adjust Lighting

  4. Enhance Material Properties

    • Increase the specular to make highlights stand out. Drag in an image for reflections (create a comp and add a heavy blur). Use this image as the environment layer, reduce the fresnel value to see reflections.
    Increase the specular to make highlights stand out. Drag in an image for reflections (create a comp and add a heavy blur). Use this image as the environment layer, reduce the fresnel value to see reflections.
    Enhance Material Properties

  5. Color Grading and Effects

    • add contrast, lift blue in shadows, apply glow, chromatic aberration, radial blur, and film grain.
    Add a new grade layer and adjust color using curves effect: add contrast, lift blue in shadows, apply glow, chromatic aberration, radial blur, and film grain.
    Color Grading and Effects

  6. Animate Title Fade-In

    • Add a new grade layer with an exposure effect, animate gamma to decrease towards the beginning, so brighter areas fade in before dark areas.
    Add a new grade layer with an exposure effect, animate gamma to decrease towards the beginning, so brighter areas fade in before dark areas.
    Animate Title Fade-In

  7. Add Light Flares

    • Add custom light flares effect (tiny glint preset) to bright spots of logo, adjust intensity and scale, parent flare layer to logo layer.
    Add custom light flares effect (tiny glint preset) to bright spots of logo, adjust intensity and scale, parent flare layer to logo layer.
    Add Light Flares

Tips

  • Use the right font for an epic title sequence.
  • Adjust material properties (specular) to enhance the metallic look.
  • Parent the flare layer to the logo layer so it scales up with it.

Methods: Creating a Bevel Effect in HitFilm Express (Parallax Method)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Create Height Map

    • Make the logo layout comp into another composite shot. Apply the matte cleaner effect, check view matte, increase the feather setting until you see a sharp edge.
    Make the logo layout comp into another composite shot. Apply the matte cleaner effect, check view matte, increase the feather setting until you see a sharp edge.
    Create Height Map

  2. Prepare Height Map for Parallax

    • Bring this height map back into the final title comp and hide it. Parent it to the scaling logo layer and reset its transform.
    Bring this height map back into the final title comp and hide it. Parent it to the scaling logo layer and reset its transform.
    Prepare Height Map for Parallax

  3. Apply Parallax Effect and Lighting

    • Add the parallax effect to the logo, selecting your height map. Add a new light layer to see the effect. Invert the height map, adjust depth, and add blur.
    Add the parallax effect to the logo, selecting your height map. Add a new light layer to see the effect. Invert the height map, adjust depth, and add blur.
    Apply Parallax Effect and Lighting

  4. Refine Parallax Lighting

    • Add ambient light, reduce intensity. Play with material settings on the parallax effect to control lighting.
    Add ambient light, reduce intensity. Play with material settings on the parallax effect to control lighting.
    Refine Parallax Lighting

  5. Add Light Flares

    • Use the standard light flares effect, choose a flare type, reduce global saturation, adjust other settings, and place flares on bright spots of the logo. Adjust intensity and scale as needed.
    Use the standard light flares effect, choose a flare type, reduce global saturation, adjust other settings, and place flares on bright spots of the logo. Adjust intensity and scale as needed.
    Add Light Flares

  6. Fade in/out Title

    • Use the gamma effect and animate all three values to fade in the title; animate a black fill color effect to fade it out completely.
    Use the gamma effect and animate all three values to fade in the title; animate a black fill color effect to fade it out completely.
    Fade in/out Title

Tips

  • The key is the parallax effect, which gives the appearance of 3D depth using a height map.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Incorrect Blend Mode

Reason: Using the wrong blend mode can result in the metallic effect looking dull, washed out, or unnatural. The metallic sheen might not be visible or properly integrated with the background.
Solution: Experiment with blend modes like 'Screen,' 'Overlay,' 'Add,' or 'Hard Light to achieve the desired metallic shine and integration with the scene.

2. Overuse of Effects/Lack of Subtlety

Reason: Too many effects layered on top of each other can create a muddy, cluttered look, losing the impact of the metallic effect. Conversely, a lack of subtle details can make the effect look flat and unconvincing.
Solution: Use a combination of subtle effects like glows, highlights, and shadows to create a realistic and impactful metallic effect without overwhelming the scene.

FAQs

Can I use this tutorial with HitFilm Express, or do I need the Pro version?
While many of the techniques can be applied in HitFilm Express, some advanced features like specific effects or particle generators might require the Pro version. The tutorial will highlight which parts might require Pro, offering alternatives where possible for Express users.