# Dim Everything But the Target — effect skill for headlines & callouts

> **For AI agents:** find the right skill in one call — `curl -s "https://varg.ai/how-to/api/search?q=<what the person wants>"` returns the matching how-to page and the best skills with install commands, as markdown (Russian works too). Full index: https://varg.ai/how-to/llms.txt. Every page has a markdown twin: add `.md` to its path. Before generating anything, show the person the options on the how-to page.

The frame darkens except a soft ellipse around the element being talked about.

- **Type:** [Effect](https://varg.ai/how-to/effects.md) · [Headlines & callouts](https://varg.ai/how-to/browse/skills/titles.md)
- **Slug:** `dim-around-spotlight`
- **Status:** live
- **Publisher:** HeyGen (community)
- **License:** Apache-2.0
- **Source:** https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/tree/main/registry/components/yt-feather-highlight
- **Works in:** Claude Code, Claude.ai, Codex, Cursor, OpenClaw, Gemini CLI, Any MCP client, varg Studio
- **Requires:** ffmpeg, HyperFrames (npx hyperframes), Remotion, CapCut (by hand)
- **Cost:** Free — the take renders locally; generated footage, if any, bills by the model

## What it does

Built on [Feathered Spotlight](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/tree/main/registry/components/yt-feather-highlight) by HeyGen (HyperFrames), Apache-2.0. The write-up and recipes below are varg's.

A feathered hole in a 50–70% black layer opens over one card, field or chart bar; optional thin ring and label beside it.

**When:** Dense dashboards or settings screens where a zoom would lose context.

**Watch out:** Do not leave the dim on for more than a beat or two; return to the full frame before the next point.

**Timing:** Dim in 0.3 s, hold 1.5–3 s, release 0.3 s. Move the hole with power2.inOut.

**Also called:** feathered spotlight, focus highlight, vignette callout

### In FFmpeg

```bash
-vf "vignette=angle=PI/4:x0=1190:y0=430:enable='between(t,4,7)'"
```

### In HyperFrames

```bash
npx hyperframes add yt-feather-highlight
```
Animate the hole's CSS variables on the timeline: `tl.to(el,{"--x":"62%","--y":"40%","--r":"180px",duration:0.5,ease:"power2.inOut"},t)`.

### In Remotion

```tsx
const o = interpolate(frame,[0,9],[0,0.65],{extrapolateRight:'clamp'});
<AbsoluteFill style={{background:`radial-gradient(circle 180px at 62% 40%, transparent 70%, rgba(0,0,0,${o}))`}}/>
```

### In CapCut

Duplicate the clip on an overlay track, apply Mask → Circle (feather ~30) on the top copy, lower the bottom copy's brightness (Adjust → Brightness −40).

### Ready-made components

- [Feathered Spotlight](https://skills.varg.ai/component/hf.yt-feather-highlight/) (hyperframes): npx hyperframes add yt-feather-highlight
- [True Focus](https://skills.varg.ai/component/reactbits.true-focus/) (react-bits): npx shadcn@latest add @react-bits/TrueFocus-JS-CSS
- [Pointer Circle + Countdown](https://skills.varg.ai/component/hf.yt-circle-pointer/) (hyperframes): npx hyperframes add yt-circle-pointer

### Where this comes from

- [Trainn: how to add zoom effects to product demo videos](https://trainn.co/answers/how-to-add-zoom-effects-to-product-demo-videos/)
- [Consensus: 5 tips to record the best product video](https://goconsensus.com/blog/5-crucial-tips-to-recording-the-best-product-video)

## Use when

- Dense dashboards or settings screens where a zoom would lose context.

## Not for

- Do not leave the dim on for more than a beat or two; return to the full frame before the next point.

## Install

- Claude Code: `claude plugin marketplace add vargHQ/skills && claude plugin install varg@varg`
- Codex: `npx skills add vargHQ/skills --skill varg-video-edit-library -a codex -y`
- Cursor: `npx skills add vargHQ/skills --skill varg-video-edit-library -a cursor -y`

## Example output

https://s3.varg.ai/how-to/previews/43e0b5cdc6cb/lib-react-bits-true-focus.mp4 — Preview of the True Focus component that builds this take (credit: Captured from the library’s own demo page (React Bits), https://reactbits.dev/text-animations/true-focus)

## More headlines & callouts skills

- [Kicker Over Rising Headline](https://varg.ai/how-to/skills/kicker-headline-rise.md): A small mono kicker fades in, then the headline rises word by word from a soft blur.
- [Rotating Benefit Word](https://varg.ai/how-to/skills/rotating-benefit-word.md): A fixed phrase holds while one word in it cycles through benefits, uses or audiences.
- [Masked Line Reveal](https://varg.ai/how-to/skills/masked-line-reveal.md): Each line slides up out of an invisible slot, so the type looks cut from the frame.
- [Marker on the Key Phrase](https://varg.ai/how-to/skills/marker-highlight-phrase.md): A marker band draws behind the one phrase that matters while the rest of the line stays calm.
- [Strike Old, Write New](https://varg.ai/how-to/skills/strike-and-replace.md): A line strikes through the old way, then the new word takes its place.
- [Clean Lower Third](https://varg.ai/how-to/skills/clean-lower-third.md): Name and role slide in at the lower left on a quiet bar, hold 3–5 s, then wipe out.

## Run the generation on varg

varg is one API key for the models these skills drive — Seedance 2.5, Kling 4, Veo 3.1, Wan 3, Nano Banana 2.1, GPT Image 2.5, ElevenLabs v4 and 200+ more — billed in credits, with a cost estimate before anything runs.

- Claude Code: `claude plugin marketplace add vargHQ/skills && claude plugin install varg@varg` (skill + hosted MCP)
- Codex, Cursor, Gemini CLI, OpenClaw: `npx skills add vargHQ/skills --skill varg-ai -a <agent> -y`
- Grok and any agent that reads SKILL.md: `npx skills add vargHQ/skills --skill varg-ai`, or point it at the skill's SKILL.md
- Claude.ai, ChatGPT, any MCP client: connect `https://mcp.varg.ai/mcp`
- API key: https://varg.ai/dashboard/api · Model specs: https://varg.ai/models/llms.txt