VS10+ Simple title. White text on black. Fade In/Fade Out

[maxfrost01]

In MovieMaker it was easy to create a nice simple title to break sections of my family movie. A black background with white text which faded in, held for a couple of seconds and faded out. But how can I do that with VS10+?
I can easily put text on a frame. I can easily fade text in. I can easily fade text out. But how do I put the fades together on a black bacground?
There must be a way and I'm sure one of you guys will know the answer!

[Ken Berry]

While you are on the title page, and with your title selected, click on 'Text Backdrop'. That will insert a rectangular backdrop a bit wider than the title, across the screen. Click on the icon with a T on it, to the immediate right. That will allow you to select a colour for the backdrop, and also whether you want the backdrop to be a gradient.

[sjj1805]

For the fade in/out background please view:
How to fade in/out

[daniel]

Deleted. Was redundant with Steve's link. Danny

[Black Lab]

Or, if you want a completely black background, you have to drag the black color clip from the Color Library and drop it on your timeline at the point where you want the title.

[maxfrost01]

Thanks all for the prompt responses (as ever).

Jeff - dragging the color clip gave me exactly what I needed as a background for the tex. I think this was also clearly shown in Steve's link. Perfect!

But one point remains.......how to get the text to fade in AND fade out? I can see how to select one or the other but not both on the same clip. I want the text to fade in, hold for a couple of seconds, then fade out.

Come on, I know you guys can crack this one!

btw - I have checked my manual for VS9 but it does not seem to give a solution.

[BrianCee]

The easy way to make text fade both in and out is to create two identical titles on the time line - each around half the time you want for the total time - set the first to fade in and the second to fade out.

If you want a longer period in the middle to give people a chance to read it fully just put a third title in the middle without any fade.

[maxfrost01]

Brian - thanks.
That fixes it for me.

[Black Lab]

But one point remains.......how to get the text to fade in AND fade out? I can see how to select one or the other but not both on the same clip. I want the text to fade in, hold for a couple of seconds, then fade out.

Activate your title by clicking on it in the Preview Window. To the right of the Preview Window you will see the Attribute tab, where you have chosen to activate the animation. Next to the Type box you will see two T's. Click on that to choose customization of your animation. If you have chosen Fade as your animation then you will see Fade In, Fade Out, and Crossfade as your customization options. You can also choose to fade in by letter, line, or text. You can also choose the length of the fade.

[maxfrost01]

Jeff,

Thanks for coming back to me. I've looked again at the 'Fade Animation' options (which you suggested I use). My point is that you cannot select fade in AND fade out - you must select one or the other.
If this is correct it seems to me that the only way to create the effect that I want (fade in the text, hold it, fade it out) is the route suggested by BrianCee i.e. that I create two identical titles on the time line (see his earlier response).

But please keep your ideas coming!

Seems to me that this should be a pretty simple effect to create. It's certainly one I use a lot when editing. But maybe I'm just strange........

[Black Lab]

My point is that you cannot select fade in AND fade out - you must select one or the other.

You should have 3 options: Fade In, Fade Out, and Crossfade. Crossfade fades in, pauses for a moment, then fades out. You can set the pause duration for Short, Medium, Long, or User Defined.

[maxfrost01]

Jeff,
Spot on! Cross-fade is exactly what I wanted. Many thanks.