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alexjmich
Participating Frequently
January 3, 2017
Answered

Default transitions not working or erratic

  • January 3, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 22496 views

New to Prem Pro and using the CC trial.  All I am trying to do is clean & smooth some camcorder video.  One item is simply applying the default transition to a scene change.  I place a cut at the scene change, then Ctrl-D to apply the default transition (crossfade).  Most of the time this does not work.  (It works great in the FREE Windows Movie Maker, so I don't believe it is a rendering or hardware issue.)  What am I missing or doing wrong?  I simply want to smooth out some abrupt scene changes which would seem to be a no-brainer, yet it won't work consistently.

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Correct answer R Neil Haugen

For a transition to work in PrPro, you need to give it "handles". A handle is some frames that aren't used in the clip, a half-second to a second, depending on the length of the transition, on BOTH clips being 'joined' by that transition.

Some of the amateur programs simply put them in by automatically 'grabbing' your clip and working in from your set end-points. As a professional program, PrPro won't 'guess' for you, but expect you to set your handles.

So ... typically one starts with a clip, cuts a bit off the beginning, cuts some off the back, and those bits that are cut off become the handles that PrPro uses for the transition so your set in and out points stay exactly as they are.

Neil

2 replies

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excited_Genie16B8
Legend
January 3, 2017

Adobe Premiere: Handles and Transitions

R Neil Haugen
R Neil HaugenCorrect answer
Legend
January 3, 2017

For a transition to work in PrPro, you need to give it "handles". A handle is some frames that aren't used in the clip, a half-second to a second, depending on the length of the transition, on BOTH clips being 'joined' by that transition.

Some of the amateur programs simply put them in by automatically 'grabbing' your clip and working in from your set end-points. As a professional program, PrPro won't 'guess' for you, but expect you to set your handles.

So ... typically one starts with a clip, cuts a bit off the beginning, cuts some off the back, and those bits that are cut off become the handles that PrPro uses for the transition so your set in and out points stay exactly as they are.

Neil

Everyone's mileage always varies ...
    A
    alexjmichAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    January 3, 2017

    Thanks Neil and Jim -- So, if I understand correctly, I must provide a few frames of "breathing room" either side of the transition, for Premiere to be able to create a crossfade?  I have much camcorder footage with abrupt scene changes that I don't necessarily want to trim video from... I just want to replace a scene change with a smooth transition.  Is there any way to "automate" this setting of handles in Premiere, or would I be better off using an app that does the handles automatically, such as Movie Maker?  As I've said, I am new to video editing and maybe my present needs favor simplicity over Premiere's laundry list of extra features.  It just seems like something as simple as smoothing a quick scene change should not require the extra steps of cutting frames from either side of the transition.

    S
    SAFEHARBOR11
    Participating Frequently
    January 3, 2017

    There's valid reasons that the required trimming in order to add a transition is not automatic - adding a transition would change the length of the program, and that could have unwanted consequences for the editor!

    You say you don't want to trim the content, you just want a smooth transition. Well, if you want a 1-second transition, you must necessarily "trim" 15 frames from end of first clip and 15 frames from beginning of next clip, and this would allow for the 30-frame transition. You are not losing those frames - you will still see them during the transition. It's as if the clip ends are overlapped and you see both at once.

    If two untrimmed clips are butted together, there are no overlapping frames with which to create any sort of transition. That is just a simple fact.

    I'm sure there are editing programs that will let you "Auto-add transitions between every clip". But that is not editing. Premiere CC is a professional application, where the editor will make careful choices for each scene. If you want Automation, I'm sure there are free or cheap consumer programs to do just that.

    Thanks

    Jeff

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