How to Add a G-Force Meter to GoPro Video

Shred Scopes can animate a G-force readout or meter from GoPro motion data and GPS-path movement. Depending on the design, the overlay can show total camera acceleration magnitude, side-to-side load, or forward-and-back load.

Choose the stream according to what the graphic is intended to communicate.

Understand the available G-force measurements

Studio can offer several related streams:

  • "G-force" measures the magnitude of camera acceleration across its three axes. It is approximately 1 g while stationary, approaches 0 g during freefall, and can rise during impacts or landings.
  • "Lateral G (GPS path)" estimates side load from ground speed and changes in travel direction. Positive and negative values distinguish turn directions.
  • "Longitudinal G (GPS path)" estimates forward or backward load from ground-speed changes. Positive values indicate acceleration and negative values indicate slowing or braking.

These measurements are not interchangeable. Total G-force is unsigned magnitude, while lateral and longitudinal G are directional signed values derived from GPS movement.

1. Load a compatible source

Open Shred Scopes on a desktop computer, sign in, and select "Studio."

Load an original GoPro clip or saved telemetry. Wait for preparation to finish and inspect the available streams.

Motion-based "G-force" can be available when GPS-derived lateral or longitudinal G is not. GPS-path G streams require usable speed and course data.

2. Choose a G-force template

At "Choose Template," select a built-in G-force design. Choices are available in collections such as:

  • Black Diamond G-Force
  • Flagship G-Force or Flagship G-Force Text
  • Swell G-force or a Swell G-Force Text layout
  • Trailhead G-Force or Trailhead G-Force Text

Graphic G-force templates can combine total G-force text with a two-direction dot driven by lateral and longitudinal G. Text-only templates generally provide a simpler total G-force readout.

3. Verify every mapped stream

In the Template Editor, select the G-force data layers and inspect "Stream."

For a two-axis dot:

  • Map the horizontal or side-to-side input to "Lateral G (GPS path)."
  • Map the forward-and-back input to "Longitudinal G (GPS path)."

For a numeric impact or load readout, map the data-text layer to "G-force."

Do not replace a directional input with total G-force merely because both use the unit g. A magnitude cannot supply turn direction or braking direction.

4. Set the range

For signed lateral or longitudinal G, use a range centered on zero.

The "fit max absolute" mapping creates equal positive and negative limits from the largest recorded magnitude. This keeps the neutral position centered.

Use "fixed range" when multiple videos should use the same scale. Select limits appropriate to the activity and preview the full clip before finalizing them.

For total "G-force," an unsigned range beginning at zero can be easier to interpret. Remember that a stationary camera is near 1 g rather than zero.

5. Stabilize the display if needed

Use input smoothing to reduce distracting rapid changes in a gauge or dot. Excessive smoothing can hide short impacts and landings, so inspect the events that matter most.

Use "Deadband" around zero for signed lateral or longitudinal G when the indicator jitters near its neutral position. Deadband holds only values inside the defined window at its center; it does not change the extracted telemetry used by other layers.

If an isolated spike pushes the meter beyond its useful range, use "Clamp values" cautiously and keep the clamp limits consistent with the selected mapping.

6. Preview representative events

Inspect:

  • A stationary section
  • A left and right turn
  • Acceleration and braking
  • A jump or freefall section
  • An impact or landing

Check that directional movement agrees with the visible action. Camera mounting orientation affects camera-axis acceleration, but the GPS-path lateral and longitudinal values describe direction of travel.

If a dot appears reversed, inspect the graphic's direction settings and the mapped inputs before changing the telemetry stream.

7. Adjust appearance and placement

Move and scale the complete meter for the intended output. Use contrasting track, dot, text, or glow colors so the display remains legible over the source footage.

If the meter will appear over video, preview it against both light and dark frames. A compact text layout may work better than a full two-axis meter when screen space is limited.

8. Save and export

Choose "Template" > "Save As New" to retain changes to a built-in design.

Export the template by itself when it will be placed over footage in another editor. Use a transparency-capable format when the destination supports it, or a keyed-background MP4 when chroma keying is planned.

To render a finished video, choose "Composite Mode," position the G-force template over the original source, and export the Source Composite file.

If the meter is empty or misleading

Check that:

  • The selected source contains the required motion or GPS streams.
  • Each layer uses total, lateral, or longitudinal G according to its purpose.
  • Signed inputs use a range centered on zero.
  • Smoothing and deadband are not hiding important short events.
  • A clamp is not flattening valid high values.
  • Graphic direction agrees with the visible motion.

The completed overlay now represents the selected GoPro G-force measurements with a range and direction suited to the activity.