How can I add my own pre-made effects to ManyCam?

It's easy to add and import your own pre-made custom effects to ManyCam to use however you like.

The page you are reading now shows you how to import a ManyCam effect resource file after it has been created specifically for ManyCam. To learn how to create a ManyCam effect resource file from scratch read the detailed user guides on the help page.

Getting Started

It's very easy to import a custom effect into ManyCam. You can also submit your effect to the ManyCam.com website so others can use it. It's also possible to download effects created by other users from ManyCam.com. See the instructions below on how to create, add, submit and download new ManyCam effects.

Open the ManyCam main window and click the Add New Effect button in the bottom left part of the Effects tab.

In the Add New Effect window select the Resource File for your effect from your computer by pressing "Browse", then pick the Type of effect and the Category where your effect will appear. Fill the Name and Created by fields with corresponding information. You can leave the Created by field blank.

Types and Categories

In terms of custom effect creation there are three types of effects: Objects, Backgrounds and Face Accessories.

ManyCam effects are divided into these Categories.

  • Objects examples are Avatars, Flags, Fun, Holidays.
  • Backgrounds examples are Static or Dynamic.
  • Face accessories examples are Eyebrows, Eyeglasses, Face, Hair, and Hats.
You can also create a new category for Object type Effects in the "Add New Effect" Window.

ManyCam Resource File

Select the Resource File - a picture or a video file - that will become your new video effect.
There is a 3000x2000 pixels resolution limit and a 2Mb size limit for ManyCam supported picture types (Objects, Background (static only), and Face accessories).

A Dynamic Background must be a 100 Mb size limited .avi file coded by the Indeo Video 5 codec. The official website to download the Indeo Video 5 codec is: http://ligos.com/index.php/home/products/indeo/. This codec is only required for dynamic backgrounds.


ManyCam Creation and Add Effect guides are also available below.

Add my own Object effect

Add my own Background effect

Add my own Face accessories effect



How can I Download a ManyCam Effect?

You can also download new effects from the ManyCam website http://download.manycam.com/effects/.

Here is an example on how to download and add the Fish ManyCam Object effect to the Avatars Category:

  1. Open the ManyCam web page http://download.manycam.com/effects/.
  2. Click the "Avatars" link. Click the Fish effect Download now! link. Save the file on your hard disk (all ManyCam effects are saved in the MCE format). The fish effect will be saved as Fish.mce.
  3. There are two ways to add the downloaded effect to ManyCam:
    1. Open the folder containing the downloaded file. Double click on the Fish.mce file icon. ManyCam's Add new effect window will open automatically and the Resource File will be displayed in the window. The effect's category, type, name and the creator of the fish effect will be set automatically. You can change the effect name if you want. Press "OK" to add the effect.
    2. Open the Effects tab of the ManyCam main window and click the Add new effect button. Enter the path to the resource file using the Browse button or manually. The Resource File will be displayed in the Add new effect window. The effect's category, type, name and the creator of the fish effect will be set automatically. You can change the effect name if you want. Press "OK" to add the effect.


The ManyCam Fish effect will be added to the Avatars category.



Click on the Fish effect icon to use the new effect.


How can I submit my own effects to ManyCam.com?

You can submit your own effects to the ManyCam web site.

  1. Open ManyCam Options tab.
  2. Open the category tab containing the effect you would like to submit.
  3. Right click on the icon of the effect you would like to submit. Select the Publish to site... menu item.


  4. Only registered users can publish their effects to the ManyCam website. If you are not a member yet join here it's free.
  5. After logging on click the My Area link at the top of the page and open the Add New Effect Tab. Specify the effect file you would like to submit using the 'Browse' dialog. Please note that only .mce files are accepted. Please enter a brief description for your effect in the "Description" field. You may want to enter a few keywords, which will be used for searches - 3 words containing less than 12 symbols: for example, flower, beauty and nature.

  6. Press the Upload button. An "Upload completed" message will appear.

  7. Moderator approval is required for publishing new effects. ManyCam administrators will usually check and approve the effect in 1-3 business days. You can see the effects you have submitted in the My Effects tab.