Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Before we move onto Compositing it is important to know how to work with
Transitions, Filters and Generators. You need to understand the difference
between these. Just to refresh your memory: Transitions work between clips;
Filters are applied to clips; and Generators work in a similar way to clips but are
generated within Final Cut Pro itself.
The Concept of Media Limit (Handles)
It is vital to understand when using Transitions that there must be available
media for the Transition to work. This available media is referred to as 'handles'.
The maximum length that a Transition can be is equal to the available media or
'handles' which exist on the original clips as they were captured to your
computer's hard drive.
Thus, should you wish to apply a one second dissolve between two shots then
there must be at least 12 frames (PAL) or 15 frames (NTSC) of available media.
The available media applies to the end (tail) of the outgoing clip, on one side
of the transition, and the beginning or 'head' of the incoming clip. The idea is
the same as checkerboarding two pieces of film in an optical printer or
A/B rolling shots on separate machines in a linear tape suite.
If you do not have the available media then the length of a transition will
be restricted to the media that is available. It is impossible to exceed
these limits.
Applying Transitions
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1
Click once on the Effects tab in the
Browser and this will reveal a list of
Transitions, Filters and Generators.
I suggest working in list mode for this
part of the operation.
