Adding Quick Transitions

Media Composer uses the same basic method to create crossfades for audio and dissolves for pictures. Because these are the most commonly used effects, they get special privileges, like a super-quick way to be added to a sequence. Let’s look at a simple cuts-only sequence and enhance it by quickly adding a few visual transition effects.

To add visual transition effects:

1. If the Running the Sahara project is not open from the last lesson, launch Media Composer, select the RUNNING THE SAHARA project on the left side of the Open Project dialog box, and click the OPEN button. The Project window opens and lists all the bins associated with this project.

2. The bin you’ll use in this lesson is the RTS PT2 FX Sequences bin, which contains a number of sequences you’ll use throughout this book. Double-click the RTS PT2 FX SEQUENCES bin in the Project window to open it, as shown in Figure 2.1.