Transition, why not ?

[Frank Nolan]

Do you have enough of a handle on each clip to cover the transition?

[David Roth weiss]

As Frank said, you must have extra frames on the tail of clip A and the head of clip B whenever placing a transition bewteen two clips on the timeline. So, if you have a 30 frame dissolve, at a minimum you must cut back 15 frames off of the tail of the outgoing shot and cut in 15 frames into the head of the incoming shot. Does that make sense?

[Shane Ross]

Here, I have a full explaination all typed up:

#1 Transitions “Insufficient Content”

Shane’s Stock Answer #1:

You need to make sure that your clips have enough media (called ‘handles’) at the beginning of the incoming clip and at the end of the outgoing clip for the transition. For example, if you have a 1 second (30 frame) dissolve, your in and out point need to be at least 15 frames from the edge of the clip.

What you are running into is that you are marking an out point at the end of a clip then adding a cross dissolve, say 20 frames in duration. Since the dissolve is centered on the cut, it will start 10 frames before the cut, and try to go 10 frames AFTER the cut…which it can’t do.

What you need to do is plan how long your dissolve will be and back-time your cut so that it works.

For this, and other exciting stock answers, click on this link:
https://discussions.info.apple.com/webx?50@941.OTrRaOS9SEl.0@.68a3b883

a full 1 second crossfade reaches 15 frames into each clip. So, if you want to change a cut to a crossfade, there has to be at least 15 additional frames of each clip.

Say you’re trying to crossfade from one clip into the very first frame of a second clip. FCP cannot ‘create’ 15 more frames of the second clip to do a crossfade. If they’re not there, you’re out of luck.

FCP has to extend the end of your first clip by 1/2 of your transition length, and the beginning of your second clip by 1/2 of your transition length, so those frames need to be in your system. The nature of a crossfade is mixing two clips together.

“There’s no need to fear, UNDERDOG is here!”

Shane Ross
Alokut Productions
http://www.lfhd.net

[Jack Fox]

I don’t think he is asking why the clip does not appear correct, but why does FCP reject an attempt to establish an effect. Adding frames assuming you can add an effect and is only relevant to placement.

jmf

[David Roth weiss]

[jmf] “I don’t think he is asking why the clip does not appear correct, but why does FCP reject an attempt to establish an effect. Adding frames assuming you can add an effect and is only relevant to placement.”

That’s not true at all. What Shane and I both communicated in our own ways is that you cannot apply a transition between two clips if there are no frames to cover the transition. In other words, if you attempt to apply a transition at the very tail of the A shot and at the very head of the B shot you’re out of luck.

DRW

[David Roth weiss]

Shane,

I know what you trying to say, and your thought process is correct, but techically speaking, and just for the record, in this case “handles” are actually the opposite of what is called for, because there are no extra frames at the very tail and head of the clip, and that is why the transition is rejected. Yes, you need extra frames to work with, but the way to achieve that is to “cut in” or trim back half the required number of frames on both sides of the cut. Trust me, you’re getting this from a film editor of many, many years, so don’t argue this one.

DRW

[Gs2005]

Thank you all for your help.

[Shane Ross]

YOu get no arguement from me David. I know that is what is needed. I wasn’t suggesting that he needed MORE footage at the head or tail of his clips. My answer clearly states:

“What you need to do is plan how long your dissolve will be and back-time your cut so that it works.”

I explained WHY they wouldn’t work…and how to remedy it.

Shane Ross
Alokut Productions
http://www.lfhd.net

[David Roth weiss]

[Shane Ross] “I wasn’t suggesting that he needed MORE footage at the head or tail of his clips.”

Shane,

As I said, your thinking is correct, but he term “handles” is simply innaccurate in this case. Don’t sweat it, we’re talking about the same thing, I just want you to get your lingo technically correct.

DRW

[Frank Nolan]

Ahhh! I think i’ve got a handle on what you’re talking about David. 🙂