--- title: When should I use a video effect instead of generating a new shot? description: Choose a timeline treatment when you want to change the look of footage you already have. --- Use a timeline effect when the existing shot already contains the action you need and you want to change how it looks. Generate a new shot when you need new visual content. invideo Editor has a library of video effects, and your agent adds one to a clip with `add_effect`. The Effects tab scrolling through effect previews grouped into Blur and Sharpen, Color Correction and Distort Start with the intended result: a visual treatment on the same performance, or a different shot altogether. You can animate supported effect parameters with keyframes. Adding and changing an effect yourself is free. Agent Two's work and the media it makes use credits. An outside agent edits for free and pays only for generation, transcripts and paid stock. An outside agent's own chat, such as Claude or ChatGPT, runs on that app's plan. Before a paid call, the agent runs a dry run and tells you the price. See [Credits](/account/credits).