Apple Final Cut Pro 7 - Manual (Page 748)

Common Types of Transitions
A cut, the most basic type of transition, is a transition with no duration; when one shot
ends, another one immediately begins, without any overlap. All other transitions gradually
replace one shot with another; when one shot ends, another one gradually replaces it.
There are three very common video transitions used that occur over time: fades, cross
dissolves, and wipes.
• Fade-out: This begins with a shot at full intensity and reduces until it is gone. A fade-in
begins with a shot at no intensity and increases until it is full. These are the common
“fade to black” and “fade up (from black)” transitions.
• Cross dissolve: This involves two shots. The first shot fades out while the second shot
simultaneously fades in. During the cross dissolve, the two shots are superimposed as
they fade.
• Wipe: This is where the screen splits, moving from one side of the image to the other
to gradually reveal the next shot. It is more obvious than a fade or cross dissolve.
Final Cut Pro also comes with two audio transitions: a +3 dB cross fade (the default) and
a 0 dB cross fade.
• Cross Fade (+3 dB): Performs the same operation as Cross Fade (0 dB), but applies an
equal-power ramp to the volume level, rather than a linear ramp.
Note: An equal-power ramp uses a quarter-cycle cosine fade-out curve and a
quartercycle sine fade-in curve. As a result, the volume is maintained at a constant level
throughout the cross fade.
• Cross Fade (0 dB): Fades the first clip out, while simultaneously fading the second clip
in. This effect applies a linear ramp to the volume level. As a result, the volume level
dips in the middle of the cross fade.
Each cross fade results in a different audio level change as the transition plays. Your choice
of cross fades depends on the clips you’re transitioning between. Try one, then try the
other to see which sounds better.
Using Transitions in Your Sequences
Transitions, especially dissolves, generally give the viewer an impression of a change in
time or location. When very long transitions are used, they become more of a special
effect, useful in creating a different atmosphere in your sequence. You can use transitions
to:
• Convey the passing of time between scenes
• Fade up at the beginning of the movie or scene
• Create a montage of images
• Fade out at the end of the movie or scene
• Create motion graphic effects
748 Chapter 47 Adding Transitions