How to Add Transitions in Final Cut Pro

In "Star Wars," every time the focus shifted from one character to the other, the screen would wipe from left to right. This is what is called a transition. It is a visual effect that is used to change from one scene to another. The ability to add transitions in Final Cut Pro will vastly improve the look of your finished product and add a unique texture to the flow of your sequence.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Apply a transition between 2 clips, meaning you'll want to make a cut before you begin to utilize the transitive effect.

2. Think about it, flashy, overdone editing is just as distracting as poor, ignorant editing. A good editor will know when to make a simple cut and when to use transitions. As you add transitions in Final Cut Pro, you will begin to notice how effective the conservative use of these effects can be to enhance an already well-produced sequence.

3. Place a chosen transition on the overlay of the cut between the 2 clips. In Final Cut, the effects will all have a default time of 1 second, however you can alter this.

4. Add a transition to the center of a cut point, by clicking on the line between the 2 clips so that it is highlighted, then position the playhead, the little yellow carrot, at the same highlighted point.

5. Choose the desired transition effect from the menu. This will place the effect at the highlighted area you have already selected.

6. Note that, in order to view the transition you've just added, you'll have to render the area that the effect covers. This will be denoted by a red line above the area.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also add transitions in Final Cut Pro by simply choosing the drop-down menu in the browser, under the Effects tab, and dragging and dropping the transition to its destination on the timeline.

Resources

• Assistance on the usage and tips for Final Cut Pro