Can not Insert Transitions Between Short Clips

[MikeB51]

I'm still very much a novice so forgive me if it's already there but I would like to be able to combine clips so that I can use transitions at will.

[Ron P.]

I'm still very much a novice so forgive me if it's already there but I would like to be able to combine clips so that I can use transitions at will.

The clips are combined when you render your project (Share>Create Video File). Or are you wanting to Combine tracks?

[MikeB51]

Yes I'd like to combine when editing as sometimes one or both of the clips are less than 3 seconds and so won't let me insert a transition. I even tried to put the transition between the clips before I edit them to trick it, but as soon as you shorten the clips it removes the transition.

[Ron P.]

Mike,
I've split your post from the Wishlist, as it is more of a help issue than a request..

This can be done, just takes thinking "out of the box", or Charlie Hills' Tutorials.. (ok, ok, enough of the plugging..)

First you need to make sure the default duration for transitions is set to 1 second. Do this in the Preferences dialog (press F6 on your keyboard or go to File menu>Preferences). On the Edit tab you can set the defaults.

With a default duration of 1sec for transitions, you can insert them between clips as little as 2 secs. I know, I just done it, and have used clips and transitions with durations as little as 12 frames.

Now the key is if you want to lessen the duration of your video/image clips, you need to first reduce the duration of the transition. So in the duration time code (box with numbers, and an icon looking like a clock), press the down arrow to reduce the time. Then you can reduce the duration of your video/image clips.

[heinz-oz]

Yes I'd like to combine when editing as sometimes one or both of the clips are less than 3 seconds and so won't let me insert a transition. I even tried to put the transition between the clips before I edit them to trick it, but as soon as you shorten the clips it removes the transition.

You are missing something fundamental here, you do not insert transitions in between clips. The duration of your transition is equally split between the clips and the clips are merged. If your transition becomes longer than your clip the transition can't take place.

2 clips of 3 sec each with a 3 sec transition in between will last for 6 sec, not 9 sec's. If you now combine 3 clips of 3 sec each with transitions of 3 sec duration, the middle clip will only consist of transitions.

[MikeB51]

Gentlemen, Thank you.

It seems so obvious when you say it. I was trying to do it all on the timeline.

Thank you very much.