Transitions alter clip length

[dbsanders]

Probably a real newbie question, but I cannot seem to find a good answer and don't know why more people don't mention this.

My first project is a music video-type project, with a music track that has to be in sync with the video (obviously). My video consists of one large .mov file, which I am splitting up by scene to add transitions.

I'd expect a 1-second transition to start .5 seconds before one clip and last .5 seconds into the next clip, right? When I add a transition, it seems to cut out part of the first clip, inserting the transition in its place. Then from that point on, my video is ahead of my audio.

I've seen solutions like manually lengthening the clips to compensate, although I cannot seem to figure that out quite yet. But why does one have to do this? Why would adding a transition alter the length of the clips at all? I don't remember this issue in other video editors.

Thanks,
Bret

[asik1]

That's the way VS works. We all know it and edit accordingly.
Few other software allow the user to choose transition point as start/center/end. sadly not VS.

[lata]

Hi Bret

When we add a transition the two video clips are overlapped by the length of the transition, this effectively reduced the length of the video track,

Your best option is to render the project to same properties as your video clips, that will combine the audio to video.
Using the new video cut and apply your transitions.

There may be workround s…

1 / by increasing the length of one of the clips by the same as transition duration, then applying the transition.

2 / cut the top track to create a 2 second clip, right click and Copy, drop on the overlay track, position below original, Right click preview screen for Fit to Screen then add 2 second transition to this clip on overlay track, set default transition durations via F6
Tip – use fit to Screen via F6 Edit tab ( Preferences) no need to fit to screen?

[dbsanders]

Thanks, that does make sense, I wasn't thinking about it in the right way. I used to use Cyberlink PowerDirector and didn't remember this happening, but it's possible I didn't do this type of project, with a constant audio track and a strict sync requirement.

Thanks guys/gals!