How to Keep a Moving Object Centered in Premiere Pro

Launch Premiere Pro and then drag your video to the timeline.

You need 3 tools to center an object. They are Safe Margins, Show Rulers, and Show Guides. The Safe Margins shows you where the center of the frame is. Show Rulers, and Show Guides help you identify if the moving object is centered.

In the program monitor, go down to the little + sign called Button Editor. Click on it to find Safe Margins, Show Rulers, and Show Guides, and drag them to the button editor.

Add Button Editor

Apply the Safe Margin first, you will know where the center is, and then drag the ruler and guide to the center of the frame.

Apply Rulers/Guides to Video

Normally, to seek a balance between convenience and the best result, we add one keyframe in every 5 frames. The following setup allows you to jump to between 5 frames.

Click on Premiere Pro > Preference > Playback.

Setups that Fasten the Keyframing Process

Set the Step Back/Forward Many to 5 frames. Confirm the change. Once you click the Shift + Right/Left on your keyboard, you will be brought to the next/previous 5 frames.

Move 5 Frames Each Time

Go to the Effects Controls. Tap the stopwatch next to Position, Scale, and Rotation. Adjust the position, scale, and rotation to make the moving object centered in the current frame. Skip 5 frames, and add another keyframe again.

Please note that you don’t have to click on the Add Keyframe button. Anytime you move the position, it automatically adds a keyframe.

Add Keyframe to Video

Adding one keyframe in every 5 frames only allows you to roughly center the objects. Sometimes the object may lose track. Check the video and add some keyframes.