Crossfading (?) two video tracks

Mike M. wrote on 9/10/2009, 10:30 PM

I've been playing around with the trial version of Movie Studio Platinum 9b I must be overlooking something here.

Question: If you have a video file loaded on track1 and another video file beginning just before the end of on track 2, then how do you get a mix/dissolve/crossfade at the overlap point?

Track 1(Video)
------------------------------------xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--------------------------------------
Track 2 (Video)

-----are the video and xxx is nothing
Sorry about the terminology.

Comments

darkframe wrote on 9/10/2009, 11:44 PM

Hi,

there's no need to place the clips into different tracks. Just take the second one, place it into track 1 behind the first clip. Then move it to the left so that it overlaps with the first clip. The more the clips overlap, the longer the crossfade will be.

Cheers

darkframe

Mike M. wrote on 9/11/2009, 8:37 AM

Thanks darkframe.

I did know about placing them on the same track. I just wondered if there was a way to do the other method I described.

I can see numerous advantages, one being that you would have considerable more control of the transition, fade type, timing and track settings.

BTW, this can be done with audio tracks.

(Edit): OK, I figured out a way. Because of the relationship between the higher to lower video tracks, you won't see the 2nd video track until the 1st is finished----unless you simply fade it out.

That way when you fade in the 2nd (as the 1st is fading out) you'll get a mix or crossfade between the two (thanks to Sony Support on this explanation).

Tim L wrote on 9/11/2009, 9:17 AM

Put your mouse pointer at the upper right corner (end) of the first clip on the timeline, click and drag to the left, and it should create a fade-out (looks like an arc on the event). Do the same thing at the upper left corner (beginning) of the second clip, drag to the right, and it will create a fade-in. This is useful when you want to "fade to black" in between clips rather than have a crossfade between the two.

You can right-click on these fades to choose the type of fade.

You can also drag transitions to these fade-ins and fade-outs and have the transition operate with just one clip (instead of interacting with the transition between two clips like normal).

For example, if you want a text item to slide in or tumble onto the screen, simply create a fade-in on the text event, then drop one of the slide or push transitions, etc., onto the fade-in. Much quicker (especially for text and titles) than creating pan/crop keyframes just to slide the text on and off the screen.

Another way to handle fades is to put a black media generator on an upper track that obscurs the video on the lower tracks. Put a fade in on the black and a fade out, and you are effectively fading out the video (on the lower tracks) at the start of the black media, and then fading back in to the video at the end of the black media. This is useful when you have titles overlayed on video on the lower tracks, and want them to fade out properly. If you simply fade the text and video events individually, the text doesn't look right because it begins to turn transparent (on top of the video) as the fade-out proceeds.

Tim L

Mike M. wrote on 9/11/2009, 9:53 AM

Thanks TimL.

Excellent suggestions. Something for the "missing manual".

mike_in_ky wrote on 9/11/2009, 12:39 PM

mixer440...

I suggest you download the manual for the full-blown Vegas Pro. There are several things that won't apply, but I think everything that can be done with Vegas Movie Studio is covered someplace in that text. I use it often. Note: It's good for learning about all the shortcuts.

mike_in_nc