Guide
Elevate with Expert Video Transitions
Choose, customize, and apply transitions that connect your clips into seamless narratives.
Why Transitions Matter
Transitions connect your story beats. Done well, they're invisible - the viewer stays immersed. Done poorly, they're distracting and break the flow.
CutScene offers a range of transitions in the effects panel: fades, wipes, zooms, speed ramps, and keyframe-based custom transitions. The key is matching the transition to the moment.
The rule: Viewers process cuts in about 400 milliseconds. If a transition feels jarring, it's pulling attention away from your story.
Choosing the Right Transition
| Scenario | Transition Type | Why It Works | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emotional shift | Crossfade | Gentle, dreamlike bridge | Extend duration for softer impact |
| Action moment | Whip pan | Builds momentum and energy | Sync with a sound effect for punch |
| Tutorial steps | Slide/Push | Shows logical progression | Add text overlay to reinforce |
| Dramatic reveal | Dip to black | Creates pause for impact | Pair with a bass drop or silence |
Balance matters: Use simple cuts for about 80% of transitions. Save the flashy effects for moments that deserve emphasis.
Transition Workflow
- Place your clips: Drag clips onto the timeline and trim them precisely.
- Apply a transition: Select from the effects panel or use keyboard shortcuts. Crossfade is a reliable default.
- Adjust timing: Use the inspector to tweak duration. Preview with audio to feel the rhythm.
- Add custom animation: Use keyframes for unique zooms, pans, or wipes.
- Review the full sequence: Watch through completely. Do transitions enhance the story or distract from it?
Example: An AI-generated ad might use a crossfade for an emotional opening, a whip pan to the product reveal, and a slide transition to the call-to-action.
Advanced Techniques
- Match cuts: Align shapes or motion between clips for seamless jumps.
- Speed ramps: End one clip slow and start the next fast to bridge energy levels.
- Graphic wipes: Animate a graphic element over the cut to guide the eye.
Example: A filmmaker used match cuts on similar facial expressions to triple the emotional impact of a montage sequence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Review and Refine
Watch your full sequence without stopping. Ask yourself: Does each transition serve the story? If anything feels distracting, simplify it.
The best transitions are the ones viewers don't notice - they just feel the flow.
For better source clips, see video prompting tips.