Edit to the Maxx - The Art of the Digital Cut - Part 14by Steve MullenPublished on Dec 14, 2006 2:00 PM 
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Read Previous Columns: |
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| Part 12 - Trimming in the Timeline | ||||||||
| Part 13 - Color Effect Filter | ||||||||
In this Lesson, you will learn how to add video transitions. While beginning editors make the mistake of using dozens of cheesy transitions, if you watch network TV and movies you will see only six transition types:
· Cuts—use this 99-percent of the time
· Fast (5-frame) Dissolves to connect a series of video segments
· Slow (15-frame) Dissolves to connect a series of video segments
· 10- to 20-frame Fade-to-Black
· 5- to 15-frame Fade-from-Black
· Dip-to-Color (usually white)
Click on the yellow button at the bottom of the Timeline to place it into Extract/Splice-in mode.
· Select the video and/or tracks to fade.
· Place the blue Position Indicator at the spot where the fade-in should start.
· Click the Toolbar Tail Fade button—the 4th button from the left.
Create a Real-time Fade-in
· Select the video and/or tracks to fade.
· Place the blue Position Indicator at the spot where the fade-in should be completed.
· Click the Toolbar Head Fade button—the 3rd button from the left.
Render an Effect
· Place the blue Position Indicator over the effect to be rendered.
· Click the Toolbar Render Effect button. (The center button below.)
Now click OK.
Add a Transition
To place a Dissolve, Dip To Color, Fade To Color, or Fade From Color transition between clips:
· Place the blue Position Indicator at the cut-point between the clips.
· Select the video and/or tracks to fade.
· Click the Toolbar QuickTransition button, which is the 5th button from the left .
· Enter the transition desired: e.g., Dissolve or Dip To Color
· Enter the transition Type: Centered on Cut
· Enter its Duration in Frames
· Click the Add and Render button
When are in Trim mode, you have the option to add a transition at a cut-point:
· Click the Quick Transition button in the Trim window—the second button from the left.
· Enter the transition desired: e.g., Dissolve or Dip To Color
· Enter the transition Type: Centered on Cut
· Enter its Duration in Frames.
· Click the Add and Render button.
· Click the Trim Mode button to exit from the Trimmer.
If you want to use one of the edge wipe transitions rather than a dissolve—after applying a dissolve:
· Left-to-right lasso the transition.
· Select Toolset > Effects Editing.
· Select the type of effect you want from the Effects Bin.
· Drag the effect you want onto the existing transition.
· Set effect parameters using the Effects Editor.
· Select the Toolset > Source/Record Editing.
· Left-to-right lasso the transition.
· Click the Toolbar Effects Mode button .
· Modify the settings.
· Click the Toolbar Effects Mode button .
When you choose a Fade To Color, Fade From Color, or Dip To Color transition, the automatically chosen color will be black. To change this color:
· Left-to-right lasso the transition.
· Click the Toolbar Effects Mode button .
· The Effects Editor will popup.
· Click the Color Box which you find under the word “Animation”.
· Select the color you want.
· Click OK.
· Click the Toolbar Effects Mode button .
Remove a Transition
· Left-to-right lasso the transition.
· Click the Toolbar Remove Effects button—the 8th button from the left.
In the next Lesson, you will learn how to add audio and video clips without disturbing the exiting clips in your production in the Timeline.
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Steve Mullen owns Digital Video Consulting that offers eBooks on HD production. Currently, DVC (www.mindspring.com/~d-v-c) offers two eBooks: the Sony HDV Handbook and the JVC ProHD Handbook. In January 2007, DVC will offer a new title: the Sony V1/FX7 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $2599) Handbook. And, in March 2007, DVC will release an eBook on “Low-cost High-Definition DVD Creation.