The question was recently asked "For Premiere Elements 12, is less than 1 second possible for a transition duration, and what is the minimum duration for the transition?". The answer to the question is the same for Premiere Elements 4 though 12 whether video or audio transition and can be dependant on transition alignment and where and how the transition duration is set.The can dos include:
Transition with Left Clip (End at Cut) or Right Clip (End at Cut) Transition Alignment
1 frame duration (NTSC 0.0333 second or PAL 0.040 second)
Transition with Betweem Clips (Center at Cut)
2 frames duration (NTSC 0.0667 second or PAL 0.080 second)
Note: Although digital audio uses "sample" rather than "frame", the unit named frame or second can be found being applied by Adobe to audio transition duration.
ISSUE
Where and how is a Premiere Elements transition duration for less than 1 second set, and what is the minimum transition duration?
- Edit Menu/Preferences/General and fields for Video Transition Default Duration and or Audio Transition Default Duration
- Transition Adjustments Pop Up/Area associated with placement of the transition
- Dragging in edge of transition placed on Timeline in order to shorten the duration of the transition
SOLUTION
Details for setting the transition duration for less than 1 second and the minimum transition duration will be given by example using
- Premiere Elements 12 (representative of version 11 as well as 12) and video transition named Dip to Black and audio transition named Constant Gain.
- Premiere Elements 10 (representative of versions 4, 7, 8.0/8.0.1, 9.0/9.0.1, and 10) and video transition named Dip to Black and audio transition named Constant Gain.
- Edit Menu/Preferences/General and setting "Video Transition Default Duration" and "Audio Transition Default" to lowest accepted value
- At the Timeline level, dragging in the edge(s) of the transition which has been placed on the Timeline with the program's defaults in effect for video and audio transition duration
Unlike Premiere Elements 11 and 12, Premiere Elements 10 transition duration less than 1 second as well as minimum transition duration can be set within its Transition Adjustment area
The INTRODUCTION, ISSUE, and SOLUTION should provide enough information to answer the basic questions asked in the INTRODUCTION. For those who want greater detail, the longer HOW TO is provided.
HOW TO
PART 1
PREMIERE ELEMENTS 11 AND 12
Video Transition
Default Situation
Figure 1 shows the Transition Adjustments pop up triggered by the selection and placement of the video transition Dip to Black and displays the program's default Duration 1 second (30 frames in the NTSC setup of 30 frames per second). The Transition Adjustments pop up will read Duration 1 sec (30 frames) whether the video transition alignment is "Left Clip", "Right Clip", or "Between Clips".
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| Figure 1. Premiere Elements 12 Video Transition Duration. Program's Default Settings As Reflected In Transition Adjustments Pop Up. |
In spite of the fact that Duration "sec" cannot be set for less than 1 second in the Transition Adjustments pop up, there are 2 ways to obtain a video transition duration less than 1 second.
Less Than 1 Second Video Transition Duration
Way One - Preferences
Result: For "Left Clip", "Right Clip", or "Between Clips" transition alignment, Video Transition Duration = 0.0667 seconds (2 frames) which is duration less than 1 second, but not the lowest video transition duration possible for the transition with "Left Clip" and "Right Clip" alignment.
Details
Edit Menu/Preferences/General and set "Video Transition Default Duration" = 1 frame (lowest possible set there). With that set in effect, the Transition Adjustment pop for Dip to Black transition (alignment "Between Clips") shows Duration 0 sec (2 frames) as shown in Figure 2.
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| Figure 2. Premiere Elements 12 Video Transition Dip To Black. Preference Set For "Video Transition Default Duration" = 1 Frame But Reflected In Transition Adjustments Pop Up As Duration 0 Sec (2 Frames). |
Way Two - Timeline Level Dragging In Edge Of Placed Transition To Shorten Its Duration
Result: With "Left Clip" or "Right Clip" transition alignment for Dip to Black transition, Video Transition Duration = 0.0333 second (1 frame) which is duration less than 1 second as well as the lowest video transition duration possible. With "Between Clips" transition alignment, Video Transition Duration = 0.0667 seconds (2 frames) as is the case Way One approach.
Details
"Left Clip"Edit Menu/Preferences/General is left at the program's Video Transition Default Duration = 30 frames. With the mouse cursor, the left edge of the transition placed on the Timeline in the "Left Clip" alignment is dragged in 29 frames. A frame readout is seen as the drag in of the transition progresses. Result is video transition with "Left Clip" alignment with a 1 frame (0.0333 seconds) duration.
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| Figure 3. Premiere Elements 12 Video Transition Duration Change From 30 To 1 Frame (1 Second To 0.0333 Seconds) By Dragging In Of Left Edge Of Video Transition With "Left Clip" Alignment. |
In a similar manner, the right edge of the transition is dragged in 29 frames, using the frame readout guide. Result is a "Right Clip" aligned transition with a 1 frame (0.0333 seconds) duration.
"Between Clips"
If this approach is extended to the "Between Clips" alignment, then the user is left with a transition duration of 2 frames (0.0667 seconds), same as obtained in Way One.
With Way Two and "Between Clips" transition alignment, the 30 frames (1 second) transition would have 15 frames to the left of the junction of two clips and 15 frames to the right of that junction. The left edge of the the transition with the"Between Clips" alignment is dragged in 14 frames; the right edge of the transtion with the "Between Clips" alignment is dragged in 14 frames; end result, the video transition with "Between Clips" alignment and having duration of 2 frames (0.0667 seconds).
Audio Transition
Default situation
The Transition Adjustments pop up is triggered by the selection and placement of the audio transition Constant Gain and uses the program's default Duration 1.00 second which represents 30 frames in the NTSC setup of 30 frames per second. In this default situation, the Transition Adjustments pop up reads Duration 1 sec (30 frames) whether the audio transition alignment is "Left Clip", "Right Clip", or "Between Clips". Setting of the audio transition alignment has known flaws in Premiere Elements 12, but does not appear to be interfering with the topic of transtion duration less than 1 second.
Again, in spite of the fact that Duration "sec" cannot be set for less than 1 second in the Transition Adjustments pop up, there are 2 ways to obtain an audio transition duration less than 1 second.
Way One - Preferences
Result: For "Left Clip", "Right Clip", or "Between Clips" Transition Alignment, Audio Transition Duration = 0.10 second (3 frames) which is going to be duration less than 1 second, but not the lowest audio transition duration possible.
Details
Edit Menu/Preferences/General And Set Audio Transition Default Duration = 0.1 seconds (lowest possible set there). With that set in effect, the Transition Adjustment pop with the Constant Gain transition alignment "Left Clip", "Right Clip", and "Between Clips" shows Duration 0 sec (3 frames).
Way Two - Timeline Level Dragging On Edge Of Placed Transition To Shorten Its Duration
Result: With "Left Clip" or "Right Clip" transition alignment, Audio Transition Duration = 0.0333 seconds (1 frame) which is duration less than 1 second as well as the lowest video transition duration possible. With "Between Clips" transition alignment, Audio Transition Duration = 0.0667 seconds (2 frames) as compared to the Audio Transition Duration = 0.10 second (3 frames) obtained using Way One - Preferences.
Details
"Left Clip"
Edit Menu/Preferences/General is left at the program's Audio Transition Default Duration = 1.00 seconds. With the mouse cursor, the left edge of the transition placed on the Timeline in the "Left Clip" alignment is dragged in 29 frames. A frame readout is seen as the drag in of the transition progresses. Result is an audio transition with "Left Clip" alignment with a 1 frame (0.0333 seconds) duration.
"Right Clip"
Same approach and result for the "Right Clip" aligned transition as for "Left Clip" aligned transition, except, with mouse cursor, the right edge of the transition placed on the Timeline in the "Right Clip" alignment is dragged in 29 frames.
"Between Clips"
If this approach is extended to "Between Clips" aligned transition, then the user is left with audio transition of 2 frames (0.0667 seconds).
With Way Two and "Between Clips" transition alignment, the 30 frames (1 second) audio transition would have 15 frames to the left of the junction of two clips and 15 frames to the right of that junction. The left edge of the the transition with the"Between Clips" alignment is dragged in 14 frames; the right edge of the transtion with the "Between Clips" alignment is dragged in 14 frames; end result, the audio transition with "Between Clips" alignment and having duration of 2 frames (0.0667 seconds)
PART 2
PREMIERE ELEMENTS 10
Video Transition
Default Situation
Unlike versions 11 and 12, the video transition Dip to Black is placed in the Timeline content and then double clicked to bring up a Transition Adjustments area which includes a timecode like display for the program's video transition default Duration of 1 second (00;00;01;00). And, this 00;00;01;00 is shown whether the transition alignment is "End at Cut", "Center at Cut", or "Start at Cut" (the 10 counterparts of 11's and 12's "Left Clip", "Between Clips", and "Right Clip" respectively. This type of Transition Adjustment area is shown in Figure 4.
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| Figure 4. Premiere Elements 10 Video Transition Dip To Black. Preference At Program's Video Transition Default Duration = 00;00;01;00 (Hours; Minutes; Seconds; Frames) |
The perks of the version 10 Transition Adjustment area appear to get to the transition less than 1 second and minimum transition duration value of 1 frame without having to look at Way One (preference) and Way Two (dragging in of transition edges) to get to those goals. Does not look like continuing would yield better results.
Nonetheless, Way One - Preferences and Way Two - Timeline Level Dragging In Edge Of Placed Transition To Shorten Its Duration were looked out.
Less Than 1 Second Video Transition Duration
Way One - Preferences
With Video Transition Default in Preferences reset from program default 30 frames to 1 frame (lowest accepted set)
Result: For "Left Clip", "Right Clip", or "Between Clips" Transition Alignment, Video Transition Duration = 00;00;00;02 (2 frames) which is duration less than 1 second, but not the lowest video transition duration possible for the transition with "Left Clip" and "Right Clip" alignment.
Way Two - Timeline Level Dragging On Edge Of Placed Transition To Shorten Its Duration
With Video Transition Default in Preference left at program default 30 frames
Result: With "Left Clip" or "Right Clip" transition alignment for Dip to Black transition, video transition duration = 0.0333 second (1 frame) which is duration less than 1 second as well as the lowest video transition duration possible. With "Between Clips" transition alignment, video transition duration = 0.0667 seconds (2 frames) as is the case Way One approach.
Consequently, in the case of Premiere Elements 10, its Transition Adjustment area design does not necessitate worksarounds of Way One or Way Two to get to the transition duration less than 1 second and a minimum transition duration.
Audio Transition
Default Situation
In contrast to versions 11 and 12, the audio transition Constant Gain is placed in the Timeline content and then double clicked to bring up a Transition Adjustments area which includes a timecode like display for the program's audio transition default Duration of 1 second (00;00;01;00). And, this 00;00;01;00 is shown whether the transition alignment is "End at Cut", "Center at Cut" or "Start at Cut" (the 10 counterparts of 11's and 12's "Left Clip", "Between Clips", and "Right Clip" respectively. The type of Transition Adjustment area for the audio transition is the same as for the video transition. Figure 4.
In the Transition Adjustment area, the duration can be taken as low as 1 frame (00;00;00;01) when the transition alignment is "End at Cut" or "Start at Cut". But, if Duration is set at 00;00;00;01 with a "Center at Cut" transition alignment, the transition automatically switches to "Start at Cut". However, if the Duration is set at 00;00;00;02 with "Center at Cut" transition alignment, the transition alignment holds at "Center at Cut"
The Way One and Way Two to get to audio duration less than 1 second becomes trivia since these sets are easily made in the Premiere Elements 10 Transition Adjustment area associated with the audio transition to yield the result
- audio transition with "End at Cut" or "Start at Cut" alignment, to 1 frame (0.0333 seconds) duration
- audio transition with "Center at Cut" alignment, to 2 frames (0.0667 seconds) duration
Way One - Preferences
Result: For "End at Cut", "Center at Cut", or "Start at Cut" Transition Alignment, Audio Transition Duration = 0.10 second (3 frames) which is going to be duration less than 1 second, but not the lowest audio transition duration possible.
Details
Edit Menu/Preferences/General And Set Audio Transition Default Duration = 0.1 seconds (lowest possible set there). With that set in effect, the Transition Adjustment area with the Constant Gain transition alignment "End at Cut", "Center at Cut", and "Start at Cut" shows 00;00;00;03 (3 frames 0.1 seconds).
Way Two - Timeline Level Dragging In Edge Of Placed Transition To Shorten Its Duration
Result: With "Left Clip" or "Right Clip" transition alignment, Audio Transition Duration = 0.0333 seconds (1 frame) which is duration less than 1 second as well as the lowest video transition duration possible. With "Between Clips" transition alignment, Audio Transition Duration = 0.0667 seconds (2 frames) as compared to the Audio Transition Duration = 0.10 second (3 frames) obtained using Way One - Preferences.
Details
Details would mirror those cited above for Premiere Elements 11 and 12 Constant Gain audio transition duration and Way Two.
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Miscellaneous
- The duration of the clips involved is always an important consideration when setting the duration of the transition, especially so when seeking the maximum transition duration.
- Some have sought to use certain transitions as effects, extending a particular transition across the entire length of one video clip.
PE: Video Transitions Part 1
http://www.atr935.blogspot.com/2013/06/pe-video-transitions-part-1-slideshow.html
PE: Video Transitions Part 2
http://www.atr935.blogspot.com/2013/06/pe-video-transitions-part-2-how-they.html
PE11: Audio Transitions Problem
http://www.atr935.blogspot.com/2013/06/pe11-audio-transitions-problem.html
ATR
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