How can you make videos with effects for transitions like a pro

Aug 2, 2023

Okay, so you're beginning in your first editing video projects. Congrats! Two great photos that you'd like to utilize however, you face one problem: they do not exactly match.

Then you're in luck because you're about to discover the wide, wonderful realm of video-related transitions. The concept will be broken down and explore and also share some of the best techniques for creating stunning transitions to your videos. We're going to dive into it!

This article:

  1.    What are the reasons why video transitions are vital?
  2.    Dos and don'ts for the transitions in your videos
  3.    How can you add transitions to your videos
  4.    Different types of video transition effects
  5.    How can you make video transitions with iMovie
  6.    How to make video transitions using Mac
  7.    How do you create video effects using Premiere Pro
  8.    How can you make video-based transitions using Windows
  9.    How to create awesome video transitions using Create
  10.    You can now try your own video's transitions

And what exactly are video transitions?

Video effects are those that link two images in a way that allows for editing. The most basic transitions are fades, wiping, and dissolves as a way to move the video from one shot to the next.

 What are the importance of video transitions?

Rewind to the beginning. The early days of film there were no transitions between the shots. Instead, there were simply cuts. There would be a single shot (like one with a large size) that would abruptly cut into another (like a closeup). The cuts were the basic building blocks of video editing.

However, as the medium evolved the early filmmakers came up with ways to "transition" from shot to shot, which made these cuts more pleasing to the public.

These early transitions included some of the technologies that we continue to employ today, such as:

  • Fades: Transition to or from the solid hue (usually either white or black)
  • Cross dissolves: Two frames transition into each other
  • Wipes: This shot appears to move across the screen to be replaced by the next shot.

The first time they were introduced, these simple transitions were very revolutionary in that they weren't too abrupt or appealing to how audiences perceived films. Like the initial cut, the majority of these transitions from the beginning continue to be used although more likely in the digital editing process and offering a wide range of modern choices and options.

Dos and don'ts for your video's transitions

Before you begin to experiment using video transitions, we'll look at some fundamental rules and guidelines that can help you incorporate transitions the way they're intended to be utilized.

Do it in a subtle way.

If one is the first to discover changes, it's extremely enjoyable to utilize these early on and frequently. They're pretty cool, after all. The transition is great technique to join two images or moving from one to another scene. However, it has to be subtle.

Use only the most basic transitions at first, like fades or dissolves, and limit the duration to the duration of a few seconds, or frames.

Do not: Include too many transitions

It is said that the most effective edits are seamless transitions -those that aren't noticed in the slightest. This is particularly true of the transitions because you don't want them to take attention from the greater story.

So don't add more than one transition to your editing, since they can become distracting.

Do: Be consistent with your changes

They should only be employed when needed to help bridge unnatural or awkward cuts or to put forth a cinematic theme. If they're used just for entertainment on each shot, they can get old-fashioned fast.

Be consistent, and limit their use as they help inform your narrative or your story.

Do not distract your audience, or drag them out of the conversation

In the same way, you want your transitions to feel as natural. The best transitions are when they're short and happen quickly with the action of your video. If you decide to utilize the transitions that are too long or are quite unnatural, they could quickly pull your audience out of the moment.

Do: Include dynamic energy

The use of transitions is great for adding movement and vibrancy to boring or dull edit. Fades and dissolves will always be a bit more cinematic. Working with wiping, pushing, or pulls could be a great way to add an element of dynamism to your edits to help them feel more alive and fun.

Do not: Fight against movement that is natural.

In the end it is important to make sure you follow the natural motion of your films. Making transitions that are energetic can be great, but only if you can channel that energy into how your narrative already flows. Keep in mind that narrative motion typically flows with the characters' movements, so unless you're looking at challenging your viewers attempt to place items in motion across your screen according to the direction in which it's naturally flowing.

Do: Try different styles of transitions

In the beginning you can have fun to experiment with the many different types of transitions that are available. In accordance with the editing software you're using, you may have hundreds of options to try. You can try as many as you'd like, and play to see how they look in different shots and at different lengths.

Don't: Use too many different types within the same video

Once you've finished your playing around, it's a best practice to settle on a couple of the transitions you like best. As stated above, they can be enjoyable and fascinating, however you don't want to overuse the same transitions.

How can you incorporate transitions into your video

Follow the "dos and don'ts" best practices as much as possible, but the real trick to learning how to master transitions lies by opening up your preferred application or video editor to test them out for yourself.

With modern editing tools Transitions can be created only to your imagination. This article will outline the ways to create transitions for various platforms, including iMovie, Windows, and Create. However, for a lot of these platforms, it's as easy as dropping and dragging to add effects to video.

The most difficult part is figuring out the transitions that work best for you. Try out various types of transitions along in terms of intensity and length, until you find some transition presets that work best for you.

 Types of video transition effects

  1.   Cutaway
  2.   Ripple
  3.   Wash out
  4.   Jump cut
  5.   Fade into
  6. Iris inside the iris in iris out
  7.   Timelapse
  8.   Pan
  9.   Whip
  10.   Cross zoom

Cutaway

This is a type of method of transition in which the footage "cuts away" from the primary event to reveal something else such as emotional or physical data that pertains to the space and scene -- then cuts back to show the primary action.

Ripple

Ripples are effects in video that add spaced-out wave-like texture to the picture's surface. Video transition makers and editors generally allow users to alter the quantity of ripples created and also the speed with that they change.

Get your hair cleaned

The wash-out transition effect can also be referred to as a "flash fade" or "fade to white." Instead of a fade effect that goes into black (aka "fade into black" transitions), a wash out begins to appear bleached-out or transitions to a color until the screen goes totally light.

Jump cut

Jump cuts are moment of transition when the subject appears to "jump" between scenes into another, typically to indicate the passing of time.

Fade in

When you use fade ins that the main shot slowly comes into view and becomes visible. Fade ins are types of video effects that can be useful for introducing an image or for letting viewers be absorbed by an photograph.

Iris is in/iris out

Iris in and iris out are two types of wipe transitions which can be better explained with an illustration of cartoons:

  • Iris is: Typically used at the beginning of a movie, "iris in" video transitions show a portion of the scene as a circle that is then expanding to reveal the whole frame. It is a popular technique in "Tom & Jerry."
  • Iris Out: Commonly used near the end of a film, "iris out" video transitions showcase the entire frame, then a circle which shrinks outwards from its edges, closing the frame -- famously used in the final scene of "Looney Tunes."

Timelapse

Timelapse is a editing method that allows you to speed up the timelapse of footage over several minutes, hours and days. or sometimes even years. Timelapse is designed to show how time passes or to show the progression of a particular event.

Pan

To "pan" your camera, it means moving it left or right in horizontal direction while staying still in the same vertical location. This makes the shot more dynamic.

Whip

Whips are a kind of "pan" change in which the camera moves horizontally or vertically to connect two images by creating a motion blur. It is used to bring the energy or speed of otherwise simple footage.

Cross zoom

The cross zoom video effect is one in which the action can "zoom in" on one clip and later "zoom out" to a different footage, resulting in a video transition.

Which video editor has the best transitions?

There are a lot of video editors which include basic transition effects. In a hurry? Choose ready-made templates with stylistic transitions already included.          Make a YouTube

 How do you create video transitions using iMovie

First, we'll look at the process of creating video transitions using Apple's iMovie. It's a great app for novices and is relatively easy to master about basic editing principles. To get started with transitions specifically, follow these instructions:

  1. On your Mac start iMovie on your Mac.
  2. Start your film within the timeline, or make a project.
  3. Above the browser, select the "transitions" tab.
  4. A transition can be viewed in a preview by skimming across the.
  5. Create a transition between two clips, by simply clicking to add.
  6. When you are on the timeline, move the transition between the clips you wish to use.
  7. Set the parameters and lengths according to your preference.

 How to make video transitions using Mac

If you're looking to utilize any Mac-compatible video editor, different from iMovie for making video effects, you can try using one of the three options: Camtasia's, Wondershare's Filmora' and DaVinci Resolve's (to mention a few) straightforward techniques.

 and Wondershare Filmora

  1. Navigate your project to "Transitions."
  2. Select the transition you want to apply and then drag and drop it on your timeline for editing.
  3. If you want to shorten or lengthen the transition, grab it's "handle" and drag it as needed into the timeline.

 DaVinci Resolve:

  1. Navigate to"Edit" on the "Edit" screen.
  2. Click and drag left on your editing timeline to select clips you want to add transitions between.
  3. Choose "Command+T" to add transitions between all selected clips.

 How can you make video effects using Premiere Pro

You can use Adobe Premiere Pro with macOS or Windows. If you choose more than one clip in the timeline for editing, when you hold down "Command" (macOS) (or "Control" (Windows), you can apply the chosen effect to all the clips.

  1. Browse or search for a specific transition within the "Effects" menu.
  2. The transition you choose to use should be at the start, at the end of, or between two clips.
  3. Additionally, you can apply "default" transitions by right-clicking the file's end with a certain sequence.

 How to make video transitions on Windows

If you wish to edit your video within Windows, you can always make use of Windows Video Editor but this application does not currently include the effects of transitions. You can also test one of the basic video editing software designed specifically to work with Windows:

What editing techniques can you use to edit a video that has the use of transitions?

It is possible to edit videos with transitions by employing an advanced non-linear editor (NLE) software to include and modify transitions. Or it is possible to use a template-based video editor like Create which will automatically include flashy transitions.

 How to do cool video transitions using the help of

These are the basic steps for creating videos (with transitions) with Create:

  1. Pick a design template or create by scratch.
  2. You can add and organize your videos, images, and assets.
  3. Pick a design (that incorporates transitions).
  4. Choose your tune.
  5. Edit as you see fit.
  6. Save and then share.

Make sure you explore the various styles and templates, because this is the place you'll find a wide variety of effects, such as fades, dissolves, and various other wiping techniques. These effects will appear in your videos automatically and even adjust themselves based on how many clips or photos you wish to incorporate.

Also, you'll notice that the transitions appear in your intro and outro clips when they are synced with music. This gives your videos the feeling of a professional edit but without the hassle.

What do I need to do to help my transitions go more smoothly?

They are most effective when they are done quickly and in the normal pace and movement of a video. Try experimenting with different types of transitions and lengths, and exploring many of the ready-made transitions included within Create's templates.

Now try making your personal video transitions

No matter what video editing software of choice, it is an excellent option to enhance your video projects. Just remember to follow best guidelines and only use transitions for the purpose of enhancing your editing routine and cut while not distracting viewers away from the content or your story.

    Video transitions can be created within seconds  

 First published on August 13, 2021 and updated June 26, 2023.