Applying Transitions

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A transition is an effect that goes between two clips. It grabs and transforms some of the video from the end of one clip and some of the video from the beginning of another clip. This allows your video to move smoothly from one clip to another with a bunch of cool effects.

1. Choosing a transition
2. Adjusting a transition.
   1. Adjusting direction
   2. Using one-sided clips
   3. Understanding and adjusting the timing.
3. Applying a transition.
4. Changing an applied transition.
5. Deleting a transition.
   

Choosing a transition.

• Go to the “trans” option window.

• For preview purposes you want to select the clip that will be after the transition. Click on the clip, it will highlight in blue. In the example below I want a transition between clip 05 and clip 06. Therefore, I have selected clip 06.

• Choose the transition you wish to apply. This small preview window will show you what the transition looks like.

• You can click on the “Preview” button and a preview of the transition will display in the monitor window.

• If you are unfamiliar with all of the different transitions I suggest you play around and try all of them. You have not made any changes to your movie until you move the transition into your filmstrip.

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Adjusting your transition. Back to the table of contents.

Adjusting direction

• These arrows will change the direction of your transition.

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Using one-sided transitions.

• Most transitions are two-sided, they grab and transform a little from the clip before and a little from the clip behind. These transitions have to be applied between two clips. Some transitions are one-sided, they only grab from the being or end of one clip. These transitions not only can be applied between clips but also to the first and last clip of your filmstrip. These one sided transitions are

• Fade In

• Fade Out

• Wash In

• Wash Out

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Understanding and adjusting the timing.

• Timing is very important when applying these transitions to clips. Remember, iMovie displays time in the format minutes : seconds : frames. There are 30 frames in a second. For example 2:02 means two seconds and 2 frames or about 2.06 seconds.

• Your transition CANNOT be longer than the clips you are applying it to.

• The length of your transition is shown here.

• The length of your clips is shown here.

• Lets use the example above. I want to place a transition between clip 05 and clip 06. My transition is 3:20 but these clips are both shorter (1:08 and 2:02). Therefore, this will not work. You can adjust the time of your transition by using this slider. Sliding it right lengthens the transition. Sliding it left shortens the transition.

• Now, in the example below, my transition is short enough to be applied to the clip.

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Applying a transition. Back to the table of contents.

• Once you have your transition chosen and all adjustments made you are ready to apply it.

• Click and hold on the transition effect and drag it into your filmstrip. The other clips will move out of your way. Release the transition where you want it to be applied.

• Your transition will now be applied. This red line indicates the clip is rendering. Remember to let it finish rendering before moving on.

• Now that a transition has been applied you should see it. Transitions look like this

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Changing an applied transition. Back to the table of contents.

• Click on the transition. It should highlight in blue.

• In the “Trans” options window make the changes you want.

• Click “update” to apply the changes. Your transition will re-render.

• Refer to the previous sections if you have questions on adjusting transitions or rendering.

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• Click on the transition. It should highlight in blue.

• Use the delete button on your keyboard to delete it. (Use the Delete button not the Del Button).