Videos can serve as amazing teaching tools. One great way to teach is with whiteboard videos. With a whiteboard explainer, you can illustrate ideas, data, and processes in motion.
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create whiteboard animation videos. We’ll explore several ways to work with a whiteboard animation explainer video, and we’ll use whiteboard explainer templates to make the work effortless.
Let’s get started!
Why Use Whiteboard Video Maker Templates?
You may have seen whiteboard videos yourself. Picture them: on-screen, you’ll see words or images being drawn on a virtual whiteboard.
![Intro whiteboard animation explainer videos](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/intro_whiteboard_animation_explainer_videos.jpg)
![Intro whiteboard animation explainer videos](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/intro_whiteboard_animation_explainer_videos.jpg)
It’s easy to make a whiteboard of your own. But what are the advantages? Why should you consider it?
- Whiteboards are excellent teaching tools. Visual learners often enjoy whiteboards because they can read and see visuals in real time. Paired with narration or even music, whiteboards make it easy to create an engaging experience for your audience.
- They add a personal touch. Videos that flash flat, sleek graphics may look nice, but they can be very impersonal. Whiteboard explainer videos lend a personal touch with the illusion of handwriting. It’s a new creative dimension that you can’t get with a slide deck on video, for example.
- You can explain ideas step by step. Whiteboards have a finite size. Think back to being in school, as a teacher wrote ideas line by line. You can do the same with a modern whiteboard video maker. It helps your explainer videos be more intuitive and easy to follow.
There are many advantages to this fun and educational format. Let’s learn how to make whiteboard videos that educate and entertain.
How to Make Whiteboard Videos With Animated Designs (Step by Step)
Now, let’s learn how to make whiteboard videos of your own. The best way is to use a pre-built template. This way, you don’t have to draw (or film) your graphics from scratch. Instead, you can take advantage of expertly crafted animations. In a few clicks, you can tailor these to your own needs.
Let’s get to work.
1. Choose a Premium Template
The first step to making your own whiteboard explainer is to choose a premium Envato Elements whiteboard video template. There are dozens to choose from, spanning many themes and designs.
Here, we’ll work with the versatile Whiteboard Infographic template from Elements. This one features over 100 custom charts and explainer layouts. It gives you the flexibility you need in 2024. It works in Adobe After Effects, so download the template now to follow along.
2. Launch the Template and Choose an Animated Whiteboard Explainer Design
With your template downloaded, it’s time to launch it in Adobe After Effects. To do that, browse to the downloaded folder. Inside, look for the .aep file. This is an After Effects Project. It’s the file that contains the whiteboard videos that we’re about to edit.
![Open the Whiteboard video file](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/whiteboard_video_maker.jpg)
![Open the Whiteboard video file](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/whiteboard_video_maker.jpg)
![Open the Whiteboard video file](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/whiteboard_video_maker.jpg)
Double-click to open After Effects. Once you do, take a look at the app’s layout. In the center of your screen, you’ll see any selected whiteboard effect previewed, but the panel that you really need is the Project panel. Open it by going to Window > Project at the very top of your After Effects screen.
![Open the Project panel](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/how_to_create_whiteboard_animation.jpg)
![Open the Project panel](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/how_to_create_whiteboard_animation.jpg)
![Open the Project panel](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/how_to_create_whiteboard_animation.jpg)
The Project panel is a sidebar that opens on the left side of the window. On it, open the Edit Comps dropdown folder. Inside, you’ll see a list of subfolders and options. Each contains one or more of the custom whiteboard videos in the template! They’re helpfully sorted by categories.
3. Customize the Text Graphics
The beauty of templates is this: you’re not creating designs from scratch. Instead, you’re simply filling in your own content. For example, go to the 00. Scenes folder, and double-click on Scene 04. You’ll see it in the Composition window, with placeholder text.
![customize your whiteboard video](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/how_to_make_whiteboard_videos.jpg)
![customize your whiteboard video](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/how_to_make_whiteboard_videos.jpg)
![customize your whiteboard video](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/how_to_make_whiteboard_videos.jpg)
To change this text, double-click on the SAMPLE 01 Text Layer in the lower left corner of your screen. You’ll see it shaded in red. Now, you can type in your own words.
![type in your own text](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/whiteboard_animation_explainer_videos.jpg)
![type in your own text](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/whiteboard_animation_explainer_videos.jpg)
![type in your own text](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/whiteboard_animation_explainer_videos.jpg)
In the Properties panel on the right, you can add an array of font effects. These include changing the size, style, and color of the text you just added.
4. Edit the Whiteboard Explainer Graphics
With the template, you can customize each individual scene that you want to use. Let’s add a custom bar chart to the project. You can find this by going to the 03. Bar Graph folder in the Project panel. Launch it, and you’ll see the graph appear like this.
![Whiteboard explainer graph in project panel](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/whiteboard_explainer.jpg)
![Whiteboard explainer graph in project panel](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/whiteboard_explainer.jpg)
![Whiteboard explainer graph in project panel](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/whiteboard_explainer.jpg)
On the Layers panel, click to open the Controller layer. This launches the Effect Controls panel. Here, you can control the parameters of the graph itself. This is how to create a whiteboard animation in seconds.
For each of the Values, click and pull on the Slider controller. Watch as the bar graph rises and falls. It’s easy to match to your own needs. This is how the entire template is structured: with full customization.
![Customize whiteboard explainer](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/customize_whiteboard_explainer.jpg)
![Customize whiteboard explainer](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/customize_whiteboard_explainer.jpg)
![Customize whiteboard explainer](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/customize_whiteboard_explainer.jpg)
When you choose a specific whiteboard animation, you’ll adjust its parameters using the Effect Controls for the Controller layer. Plus, you can adjust the text labels, font styles, and so much more. In moments, you’re ready to export your finished project to share.
As you can see, the tough animation work is done for you, but you preserve full creative control. It’s the perfect way to build stunning whiteboard video maker designs in 2024 and beyond.
5 Top Whiteboard Video Maker Templates for 2024
Our tutorial made it clear: a whiteboard video maker template is the winning way to save time, while creating stunning whiteboard videos of your own.
But how should you pick a template? To help you get started, we’ve found five of the best from the vast Envato Elements library:
1. Whiteboard Brainstorm
This is a wide-ranging whiteboard animation explainer video template. Inside, you’ll find over 100 unique designs that you can customize. These include text, lines, arrows, and more.
2. Whiteboard Animated Company Presentation
Here is a corporate-themed whiteboard video explainer. It allows you to add custom text and other handwritten designs. You can also embed actual video footage onto the whiteboard, with built-in placeholders included.
3. Whiteboard Presentation Creator
Whiteboard Presentation Creator uses doodles to help explain and show off your ideas. It features 1080p resolution for crisp, sharp graphics. It’s an option for presentations and promos on almost any topic.
4. Short Whiteboard Promo
It’s often useful to share whiteboard promos on your social media channels. But to keep audiences engaged, you’ll want to be short and concise. This is the focus of this template, which is built as a fast promo layout.
5. White Board Presentation
This whiteboard design features whiteboard title cards being held up by actors. To these cards, you can embed your own content, like text and videos. This one is useful for marketing campaigns and product explainers.
If you don’t have access to editing apps like Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro, can you still make whiteboard videos? Yes! In fact, there are several online tools that let you do exactly that. Let’s take a brief look at three of these.
1. VideoScribe Animated Video Maker
![Videoscribe whiteboard videos](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/videoscribe_whiteboard_videos.jpg)
![Videoscribe whiteboard videos](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/videoscribe_whiteboard_videos.jpg)
![Videoscribe whiteboard videos](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/videoscribe_whiteboard_videos.jpg)
VideoScribe is an animated video designer that lets you create whiteboard animations. It’s available as a browser-based tool or a downloadable app. You can also demo with a free trial before deciding to buy.
Key features include:
- a library of effects, animations, and templates included
- the ability to add audio (narration or music)
- GIF and MP4 sharing options
2. Powtoon Online Video Maker
![Powtoon whiteboard video maker](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/powtoon_whiteboard_video_maker.jpg)
![Powtoon whiteboard video maker](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/powtoon_whiteboard_video_maker.jpg)
![Powtoon whiteboard video maker](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/powtoon_whiteboard_video_maker.jpg)
Powtoon is a browser-based tool. With it, you can see how to create a whiteboard animation in your browser. It is notable for being free online. This one is targeted towards social media, with direct sharing options for many common social networks. You can upload your own videos and content or choose from an included content library.
3. Renderforest Whiteboard Animation Maker
![Renderforest whiteboard explainer](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/renderforest_whiteboard_explainer.jpg)
![Renderforest whiteboard explainer](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/renderforest_whiteboard_explainer.jpg)
![Renderforest whiteboard explainer](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/renderforest_whiteboard_explainer.jpg)
Last but not least is Renderforest, another web-based whiteboard video maker. You can use built-in themes or work with your own. Options include:
- Style control. It’s possible to change color palettes, animation effects, and more.
- From-scratch editing. If you don’t find the right template, you can make your own from the ground up.
- Fast sharing and exporting. You can download your whiteboard explainers or share them directly online.
The Top Source for the Ultimate Adobe Whiteboard Maker Templates (With Unlimited Downloads)
Today, we took a look at some of the very best whiteboard video maker templates for 2024 and beyond. All of these came from Envato Elements. Elements is the best value for creatives today, with good reason.
The offer is unmatched: unlimited downloads. At Elements, you can download and use as many premium whiteboard video templates as you want—all for one low monthly rate.
![Elements whiteboard animation explainer video](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/elements_whiteboard_animation_explainer_video.jpg)
![Elements whiteboard animation explainer video](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/elements_whiteboard_animation_explainer_video.jpg)
![Elements whiteboard animation explainer video](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/elements_whiteboard_animation_explainer_video.jpg)
Elements is the ultimate tool for video creators and other designers. Included in your membership, you’ll enjoy limitless access to millions of digital assets. Among these are graphics, music, stock footage, and so much more. Elements has everything you need to make stunning videos of your own.
![Elements AI search tool](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/elements_whiteboard_explainer.jpg)
![Elements AI search tool](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/elements_whiteboard_explainer.jpg)
![Elements AI search tool](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/151/posts/108574/image-upload/elements_whiteboard_explainer.jpg)
Now, it’s easier than ever to find the perfect digital content for your next project. Have an idea in mind? With the all-new Envato Elements AI-Search tool, you can describe your needs in just a few words. When you do, the tool will search the huge Elements library and find the perfect digital assets to meet your needs.
Don’t hesitate! Join Envato Elements today and get started.
Learn More About Adobe After Effects
In this tutorial, we worked with Adobe After Effects, which is one of the leading tools for creating your own amazing videos. But how do you get started with After Effects? What can you use it for? Here are several helpful tutorials from Envato Tuts+ to help you get started!
Make a Whiteboard Animation Explainer Video Today
In this tutorial, you learned how to make whiteboard videos with ease. The best way is to use premium Envato Elements templates. With apps like Adobe After Effects, they make the creative process a breeze.
Simply choose a design, and customize its key parameters using the Effect Controls panel. There, you’ll change every stylistic element of the whiteboard explainer design, but you’ll benefit from expertly designed styles that you don’t have to create yourself.
So what are you waiting for? Whiteboard videos are popular in 2024, and for good reason. They help you explain your ideas in a fun, intuitive way. You—and your audience—will love the results. Get started today!