How to Create a Hexagon in Premiere Pro CC (2023)

Premiere Pro’s shape tools give you rectangles and ellipses by default, but what if you need a hexagon, pentagon, or any other multi-sided polygon? The Polygon Tool handles this. You can create shapes with anywhere from 3 to 15+ sides, round the corners, and customize each side individually. This is useful for creating graphic elements, frames for video, info-graphic layouts, and stylized title backgrounds.

Today I am going to show you how to create a hexagon and other multi-sided shapes in Adobe Premiere Pro.

How to Create a Polygon Shape

Drawing the Base Shape

1. Import your background footage into a sequence.
2. Find the Polygon Tool in the toolbar. It may be hidden behind the Rectangle or Ellipse tool. Click and hold to find it.
3. Click and drag on the Program Monitor to draw a polygon. By default, it starts as a triangle (3 sides).

Changing the Number of Sides

4. Open the Essential Graphics panel (Window > Essential Graphics or go to the Captions and Graphics workspace).
5. Click on the polygon shape you just created. In the shape properties, you will find an option to change the number of sides.
6. Set it to the number you want:
   • 3 sides = triangle
   • 4 sides = square/diamond
   • 5 sides = pentagon
   • 6 sides = hexagon
   • 8 sides = octagon
   • Higher values approach a circle

Customizing the Shape

7. You can modify the shape further:
   • Adjust side length by dragging the corner handles.
   • Round the edges using the corner radius property. This softens the sharp corners for a more modern look. Rounded hexagons look great as frames for video or profile pictures.
   • Adjust edge curvature for more organic, flowing shapes.
8. Hold the Alt key while dragging a corner to manipulate individual sides independently. This lets you create custom shapes like teardrops, arrows, or irregular polygons.

Styling

9. In the Essential Graphics panel, under Appearance:
   • Set the Fill color to match your design, or remove the fill for just an outline.
   • Enable Stroke and set the width and color to create an outlined hexagon.
   • Adjust Opacity if you want the shape semi-transparent over footage.
10. Use the Align and Transform controls to center the shape or position it precisely.

Practical Uses

• Video inside a hexagon. Use the polygon shape as a mask on video footage for a hexagonal frame. This works great for profile introductions, gaming overlays, and info-graphic videos.
• Title backgrounds. A hexagon or pentagon behind text creates a more interesting title card than a plain rectangle.
• Info-graphic layouts. Multiple hexagons arranged in a honeycomb pattern create a clean, modern look for data visualization.
• Lower thirds. A subtle polygon behind a name or title adds geometric interest.

Tips

• Use Vector Motion controls when scaling polygon shapes. This keeps the edges crisp at any size.
• Animate the shape. Keyframe the scale, rotation, or position to create dynamic motion graphics. A spinning hexagon that scales up and reveals text behind it is a popular intro style.
• Experiment with 10-15 sides for shapes that are almost circular but retain visible geometry. These have a unique look that is more interesting than a perfect circle.
• Save as a Motion Graphics Template if you create a polygon design you want to reuse.
• Combine multiple polygons at different sizes and opacities for layered geometric backgrounds.

That is how you create hexagons and other polygon shapes in Premiere Pro. The Polygon Tool combined with the Essential Graphics panel gives you full control over multi-sided shapes for any design need.