Final Cut Pro - Module II

IV. Transitions: Page 1 of 3

The clips have been chosen, placed in the correct order and shortened to fit the time allowed by the project. When the sequence is played, the clips move abruptly from one to another. This abrupt change between each clip is called a cut. A cut is one form of transition between clips, and it is the probably the most useful. It's quick, and with good audio providing transition, the visual will make sense.

As the clips have no sound at this point, there are no audio transitions. Viewers of this sequence simply see the goldfish, then the shark, then a single dolphin, then two dolphins jumping out of a tank. The story cannot be easily followed; at this point, these are random visual images strung together. Good visual transitions, through the use of effects, can help tell this story.

The instructions given here will demonstrate how to create visual transitions between two clips.

1. Play the sequence in the right viewer. Notice the timing and pace of the cuts between each clip. Note the time each cut occurs by looking at the timer in the upper left hand corner.

   TIP: If the sequence won't play, remember to drag the yellow arrow at the top of the Timeline box back to the beginning of the selection first.

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