Kdenlive/Manual/Transitions

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Transitions

There are two ways of adding transitions in kdenlive: Mix clips, aka same tracks transitions, and the legacy way, which is transitions between clips on different tracks.

Mix Clips

Since 20.12

Kdenlive with mixed clips in the timeline. The toolbar button is circled with red, and the transition properties are on the right.

Mix Clips provides a way to add a transition between clips on the same track. To use it:

Ensure that there is at least half a second worth of frames at the end of both clips (outside the timeline clip). Without that, kdenlive will not apply the transition, but display an error message.
Select either clip. If there are clips in both ends of the one selected, the transition will be added nearest the playhead.
Press the Mix Clips button on the timeline toolbar, or use the shorcut which defaults to U.

The transition length defaults to one second equally distributed between the two clips. You can drag either end of the transition to adjust.

The default transition is dissolve, but you can select (click) the transtion and edit the wipe method and properties as desired in the effect/transition stack window.

The composition method is set to Luma, and it does not make sense to change that, since there will not really be a transition. Other methods are meant for compositing two videos, not transitioning between them.

Select the desired wipe from Wipe Method
The Reverse option reverses the transtion.
The Softness slider will affect the edges of wipe transtions.
Set the desired duration
Since 21.08: select the alignment of the transition, either left, centered (default) or right.

To delete the transition, select it and press the delete key.

Transitions between clips on different tracks

This is the legacy way of doing transitions in kdenlive.

How To Add a Transition

To add a transition, adjust clips in the timeline so that the end of one overlaps the beginning of another.

Then right-click in the timeline at the overlap point, select Add Transition , then choose one of the transitions from the flyout.

See QuickStart - transition

Properties Tab (version >= 15.12)

In kdenlive version 15.12 the effect stack is merged with the "Transition" Tab to create a "Properties" window/tab.

The Properties window displays the settings for the effects on the currently selected clip (Figure 1) or the settings for the currently selected transition (Figure 2) depending on whether it is a clip or a transition that is currently selected.

Figure 1 - Properties when a clip with effects is selected

Figure 2 - Properties when a transition is selected

If you select the transition in the timeline its properties will appear in the Properties tab (Figure 2).

You should preview your transition to make sure it is running in the direction you expect. For example, if it is a Dissolve transition and it is running in the correct direction, then the first clip should dissolve into the second clip. But if it is in the wrong direction, the first clip will suddenly disappear (replaced by the second track). It will then fade back in and abruptly jump to second clip. If your transition is in the wrong direction, just select the Reverse check box in the Properties tab.

Transition Tab (pre version 15.12)

If you select the transition in the timeline its properties will appear in the Transition tab.

If the Transition dialog is not visible, use View -> Transition to add it.

You should preview your transition to make sure it is running in the direction you expect. For example, if it is a Dissolve transition and it is running in the correct direction, then the first clip should dissolve into the second clip. But if it is in the wrong direction, the first clip will suddenly disappear (replaced by the second track). It will then fade back in and abruptly jump to second clip. If your transition is in the wrong direction, just select the Reverse check box in the Transition tab.

How to create transitions with a single click

There is a shortcut for creating transitions between two tracks that overlap.

In Version 17.04 you hover the mouse over the lower grey rectangle that appears at the end of the clips on the timeline and a tool tip will appear saying "Click to add Transition". If you click a dissolve transition will be automatically added.

Older Versions: If you hover the mouse over the overlapping region on the timeline, a green triangle will appear. Clicking this adds a dissolve transition between the tracks.

Automatic Transitions

If a transition is set as an "Automatic Transition" and you adjust the overlap between the two clips involved in the transition, then the length of the transition will automatically adjust to cover the region where the clips overlap.

You can toggle off this feature on a transition by selecting the transition and choosing Automatic Transition from the Clip menu.

Transitions will be created with the Automatic transition property set to true by default if the Automatic Transitions Button is active.

When Automatic Transition is off and you move a clip to change the overlapping region, then the length of the transition does not automatically adjust.

Mixing titles, images and Videos with Transitions

{{#ev:youtube|f6VHlOZutm8|500|left|Image and Title Layers Transparency Tutorial - qubodupl/Open Source Bug}}

Keyframe Animations Using Transitions

{{#ev:youtube|M8hC5FbIzdE|428|center|Keyframe Animation - Linuceum}}

List of Transitions

See also Effects and Transitions for an alphabetical list of effects and transitions.

See also alpha operation transitions for a comparison of the various alpha operation-type transitions (addition, addition_alpha, alphaatop, alphain, alphaout, alphaover and alphaxor) .

FAQ

Q: How to add a cross fading effect?

A: Make clips on two tracks overlap in time, then click the green triangle flashing in the bottom corner of the top clip (see Transition).