Transitions problem

[BjR]

I'm working on a vid clip and am trying to insert a cross dissolve transition in the sceneline and it has been inconsistant in letting me do so. It has worked to click and drag on some of the transition rectangles on the side of the clip and not on others. What am I doing wrong or missing?
I've got Premiere Elements 4.
Thanks


BjR

[ATR]

BjR

Unless you have a strong reason for working in the Sceneline, I would suggest that you work in the Timeline View where I feel that you get a better view of what is going on and consequently have more control.

However, back to the Sceneline. From what you posted, it sounds like you have one video clip and the thumbnail for it is displayed in Filmstrip, Scene 1. That scenario offers the possibility for only 2 video transition placements, one at the beginning of the video clip and one at the end. That equals:
For the one at the beginning.....
a. Right clicking the rectangle to the left of Scene 1 and selecting a transition from the pop up list OR opening Transitions/Video Transitions and dragging your Transition to that rectangle and then releasing the mouse when you see your cursor turn to the "white arrow/black box" icon.
For the one at the end.....
a. Right clicking the rectangle to the right of Scene 1...etc.

The rectangle to the right of Scene 2 will not work until you place a video clip in Scene 2 of the Filmstrip. At this stage of the communication, I am not sure if:
1. You are not waiting for the icon change before releasing the mouse
2. You are not getting a response when and if you right click the rectangle if you go that alternate route
3. You have one video and are trying to place more video transitions beyond Scene 1 of the Filmstrip when there is no Scene 2 video or additional Scenes with video in place
4. Other

Let us start here.

To be continued...

ATR

[BjR]

Unless you have a strong reason for working in the Sceneline, I would suggest that you work in the Timeline View where I feel that you get a better view of what is going on and consequently have more control. I recently learned to do the transitions in the sceneline but am open to trying in the timeline. Seems easier to me in the sceneline but I'm a newbie.

However, back to the Sceneline. From what you posted, it sounds like you have one video clip and the thumbnail for it is displayed in Filmstrip, Scene 1. I've got several different film clips that I'm cutting and clipping and pasting together. Trying to use transitions between the assorted clips to blend them together smoothly.That scenario offers the possibility for only 2 video transition placements, one at the beginning of the video clip and one at the end. That equals:
For the one at the beginning.....
a. Right clicking the rectangle to the left of Scene 1 and selecting a transition from the pop up list OR opening Transitions/Video Transitions and dragging your Transition to that rectangle and then releasing the mouse when you see your cursor turn to the "white arrow/black box" icon. I can get a transition for the first two scenes but not the third or any after that until the end scene. All of the transitions in the menu get hightlighted by the blue line around the frame EXCEPT the one I want to use so I can't click and drag into the sceneline
For the one at the end.....
a. Right clicking the rectangle to the right of Scene 1...etc.

The rectangle to the right of Scene 2 will not work until you place a video clip in Scene 2 of the Filmstrip. I have ten scenes clicked and dragged into the sceneline so far.
At this stage of the communication, I am not sure if:
1. You are not waiting for the icon change before releasing the mouse I'm nor sure if you are talking about the transition Icon between the scenes or something else. But again I can't even get the transition I want to use to highlight so I can click and drag it into the sceneline.
2. You are not getting a response when and if you right click the rectangle if you go that alternate route. When I right click the rectangle before the 3rd scene a menu list comes up and I can supposedly choose from a list of all the video transitions. When I click on them nothing happens.
3. You have one video and are trying to place more video transitions beyond Scene 1 of the Filmstrip when there is no Scene 2 video or additional Scenes with video in place Have ten scenes loaded so far. I could download a transition to the first two scenes but none after that except the last.
4. Other

[ATR]

BjR

I cannot replicate your issue here. So let us do this:

1. With your Sceneline view in its troubled state, switch to the Timeline View and verify that all your clips are on Video Track 1/Audio Track 1. If not, stop and let me know. Or, alternately drag all clips that are not on Video Track 1 to to Video Track 1, and go back to the Sceneline to see if the problem is gone.

2. Assuming that you find your clips on Video Track 1/Audio Track 1, then I want you to place transitions between the clips when you are in the Timeline, not the Sceneline View. Here I am looking to see if you still get the non functional sites that you described. When you have done this once, I suspect that this will become your preferred way. Same principle is involved. Click, drag transition between clips. Release the mouse at the site between the clips only when you see the cursor icon turn to what looks to me like a vertical green bar with a grayish box to its left. (Expand the Timeline to get a better view of the transition location.)

Is this problem something new? In other words, has placing transition using the Sceneline View been OK, then suddenly went bad?

Depending on your answers, we may want to try flushing the preferences which is a technique used to remedy otherwise unexplainable Premiere Elements mishappenings.

http://www.adobeforums.com/webx/.3bbdd316

ATR

[ATR]

I will be away from the computer most of the day, so I will leave some things for you to check out if and when needed.

The following site has a free video tutorial on Premiere Elements Transitions & Effect, Sceneline.
http://movielibrary.lynda.com/html/modPage.asp?ID=567&cid=567
It is very basic, so you may already have the information that it offers.

Once we get to the point where you have functional transition placement, then you need to read up on the finer points of transition placement. Start with the program's Help section. We can supplement that with other resources.

When we get there, I would call your attention to the Timeline/Transition Placement and adjusting the placed Transitions using options in its Properties Panel.
One Scenario
Clips on Timeline
Transitions, dragged between clips.
You will see the "Transition area" above the Timeline. Click on that to bring up its Properties Panel to the right of the interface. In that Properties Panel, there will be options for Duration, Start and End Points, and Alignment (Center at Cut, start at Cut, End at Cut).

Later in the day, I will be watching to see if you have gotten through phase 1, having functioning option of applying transition in Sceneline and/or Timeline. Phase 2, adjustment of transition, will be the next issue if necessary.

ATR

[BjR]

I'm just checking in too and will be away from the computer most of the day too. I'll try these suggestions tonight when I get back.
Thanks again.
BjR