Sorry it took me so long to get back to this thread, but I have been getting my new house ready for moving in.
I understood the question to be “How do I create transitions?” And yes, the SDK is a tough grind requiring lots of programming experience. Creating transitions is hard work. But creating special effects is something completely different, as you have discovered.
It was not sarcasm. It was merely a quick answer. Too quick, it seems. Sorry about that.
Steven
Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5.1 / After Effects 6.5 Pro https://www.stevengotz.com
Learning Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5 https://www.lynda.com
Contributing Writer, PeachPit Press, Visual QuickPro Guide, Premiere Pro 1.5