14 Replies Latest reply: May 16, 2010 7:28 PM by BJBBJB1 RSS

    Premiere Pro CS4 Transition Handle Issues

    BJBBJB1 Community Member

      Grettings,

       

      I am continuing my transition to PP CS4 from another NLE and am slowly translating my techniques.

       

      I am still struggling on some transitions. I understand that for certain transitions "handles" are required. For example the basic default cross dissolve does not seem to do anything without them. However I have sometimes created additional audio track sync issues creating video handles on the main track in in order to create a transition. I have sync checked on all tracks.

       

      However some transitions seem to work fine without handles...I just razor the video and insert the transition (correct technique). Works with no handles and audio sync fine. Certainly easier and less concerned I am going to mess up my sync. I know how to do slip edits etc....but can't seem to marry this knowledge to this basic question.

      I am sure I am doing something basic wrong!

       

      I just would like to use my transition of choice without fear of messing up a multi-audio track and multi-video segment project and understand when I need to worry about video or audio handles. And when I can just razor and insert a transition.

       

      Thanks for any help!

      BJBBJB1

       

        • 1. Re: Premiere Pro CS4 Transition Handle Issues
          Harm Millaard CommunityMVP

          When you razor, you still have your handle. I suggest you read the help file or manual to get a better understandingof handles.

          • 2. Re: Premiere Pro CS4 Transition Handle Issues
            BJBBJB1 Community Member

            Harm,

             

            Thanks for your reply.  I have read the help files and also the "classroom in a book" for PP CS4 that I purchased.

            I know what it SAYS to do, my problem is my results.  Or quite frankly, I am sure user error, or "other product user" error.

             

            I read about handles, and to create them for transitions. When I did, I created the sync issues that I tried to explain in the original post.  Neither the help files or the book address this.  Perhaps another user has run into this issue.

             

            The book clearly shows how to razor and then drag a few seconds from either end of the clip in order to create the handle. For a simple example, I've got it. I can do that.  When I've got my multiple audio files and 6 clips stretched horizontally across the sequence.

             

            Thanks again,

             

            BJBBJB1

            • 3. Re: Premiere Pro CS4 Transition Handle Issues
              shooternz Community Member

              You need to learn how to control the tracks that the Razor effects. Lock the audio tracks so they are not affected by the razor.

               

              FWIW: Razoring a clip is absolutely not part of the way to create a  usual transition.  ie razoring only splits a clip (the same clip) and why would you ever transition from the same clip to the same clip at the same razor point.

               

              A transition is applied between two different clips (usually) or different parts of the same source clip ....and whatever...both must have handles that cover the duration of the transition.

              • 4. Re: Premiere Pro CS4 Transition Handle Issues
                BJBBJB1 Community Member

                Shooternz,

                Thanks!!!  Perhaps I should have clarified.

                 

                what I am calling a "clip" is a full import of say an hour of HD video.

                Within that hour I have various scense that I did not segregate during the capture process.

                 

                So within this one hour of video, I need to insert say 4 transitions and titles.  Titles were a piece of cake.

                The transitions I had issues with.  So I thought the only way to put in a transition was to razor it so the transition knew where to land.  Again, this is how my other NLE worked also.

                 

                So I am transitioning within the same clip...however they are 2 totally different locales that require a transition because they were captured as one large file.

                 

                BJBBJB1

                • 5. Re: Premiere Pro CS4 Transition Handle Issues
                  shooternz Community Member

                  Try editing the long Source clip from within the Source Window.

                   

                  Set In and Out points in the source window then drag or Insert / Overlay them to the Timeline.  Do so for all the material you need from the source clip.

                   

                  The apply your transitions to the cut points.

                   

                  The razor tool is not really the tool for editing.  It is more used to split a clip in the timeline so that the editor could apply different fx to each part of the same clip. (for example)

                  • 6. Re: Premiere Pro CS4 Transition Handle Issues
                    BJBBJB1 Community Member

                    Shooternz,

                    Thank you very much.  I will give this a shot! And this makes sense.

                     

                    Sounds like if I do this and THEN add my audio tracks as I go (cut by cut), that might solve the sync issue.

                    Looks like I did a few things backwards....

                     

                     

                    BJBBJB1

                    • 7. Re: Premiere Pro CS4 Transition Handle Issues
                      shooternz Community Member

                      What was you previous NLE?

                       

                      Most work in a similar fashion to each other (including Premere Elements)

                       

                      BTW: Dont forget to "target" the track that you wish the source clip to go to in the timeline. Click on the Trackname.

                       

                      Good luck.

                      • 8. Re: Premiere Pro CS4 Transition Handle Issues
                        BJBBJB1 Community Member

                        Previous NLE was Pinnacle Studio.  No handles...razor cut and insert transition. It created what PP calls handles automatically if/when needed based on transition.

                         

                        Anyway, thanks for all the help. I have been able to insert "fades to black" between clips without altering audio sync.

                         

                        BJBBJB1

                        • 9. Re: Premiere Pro CS4 Transition Handle Issues
                          Bill Hunt CommunityMVP
                          Previous NLE was Pinnacle Studio.  No handles...razor cut and insert transition. It created what PP calls handles automatically if/when needed based on transition.

                           

                          Well, sort of. What Pinnacle Studio does is just moves the In & Out Points to accommodate Handles, or it then creates them from the last Frame, just as PrPro will. It just keeps it quiet about what it is doing.

                           

                          For a bit more background on Handles, these examples might be useful.

                          Handles_01.jpg

                          Handles_02.jpg

                           

                          Hope that helps,

                           

                          Hunt

                          • 10. Re: Premiere Pro CS4 Transition Handle Issues
                            BJBBJB1 Community Member

                            Bill,

                             

                            This does help the translation.

                             

                            As always, thanks for your help!

                             

                            BJBBJB1

                            • 11. Re: Premiere Pro CS4 Transition Handle Issues
                              Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

                              Most welcome!

                               

                              Hunt

                              • 12. Re: Premiere Pro CS4 Transition Handle Issues
                                BJBBJB1 Community Member

                                Continuing to read and learn!!  Have gotten a handle on "handles" (couldn't resist) however have a follow-up question.

                                 

                                When I use a transition like "cross-dissolve" I understand that if it does not have handles, it will duplicate frames and show bars across the transition to tell you it does not have enough frames for a smoot transition.

                                 

                                However, I am still perplexed that sometimes, the transition will "pretend" to be happy....now bars across it, no warnings, but yet it has zero effect.  Not even the repeated frames-somewhat-jerky-but-trying-to-work effect.  It goes on the the timeline..but when playing back, it is not a cross dissolve.

                                 

                                Just curious of the distinction between this behaviour and the behaviour when it just repeats frames and how it decides which to do.

                                 

                                Thanks,

                                BJBBJB1

                                • 13. Re: Premiere Pro CS4 Transition Handle Issues
                                  Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

                                  Now, you have me on this one.

                                   

                                  The two issues with inadequate Handles, will usually be limited to:

                                   

                                  1.) the "repeated" last Frame, if this is the physical end of the Clip, i.e. no more Frames of any type.

                                  2.) Frames from what one thinks is the "removed" next shot in the Clip, but the Transition just goes out beyond the Out-point and uses those.

                                   

                                  I am not sure what you are seeing/encountering. Maybe if you can post a screen-cap with the Clips & Transition in the Timeline, plus the CTI being over the problem area and the Program Monitor showing the issue, someone can see where the issue lies.

                                   

                                  Good luck,

                                   

                                  Hunt

                                  • 14. Re: Premiere Pro CS4 Transition Handle Issues
                                    BJBBJB1 Community Member

                                    Bill,

                                     

                                    Alas, since the cross dissolve did not work at all, I did not save it and used a "dip to black" which seems to work regardless of handles.  I have in fact seen the behaviour you note in 1) 2) so am familiar with that and then you also get those lines on the transition.

                                     

                                    I will certainly take a screen shot if it happens again....

                                     

                                    Best description would be, in the progam monitor it just played back just as if there were two clips with no transition between them. Just a fast cut.  Although a cross dissolve transition was certainly visible between the two clips before I deleted it.  Strange.

                                     

                                    Thanks,

                                    BJBBJB1