Simple dissolve

[Lynos]

Hi

How do you create a simple dissolve in AE? I mean something really basic. Two frames blending. One frame dissolves and disappears gradually and another frame appears.

All I can find in the effects gallery are fancy shmancy wipes and transitions. all I want is a simple dissolve between two shots.

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks

[Jeff Anderson]

In AE? Just keyframe your Opacity and overlap the two clips as one goes down the other comes up.

[Lynos]

Ok, thanks. I did that. I overlapped them, created two opacity keyframes: Top layer from 100 to 20, and bottom layer from 20 to 100. Both of the keyframes aligned directly opposite each other.

Then when I preview it I see the dissolve, which is great. but it doesn't seem smooth. It's hard to explain, but there seems to be a jump, like a hiccup, while dissolving. It's not a 100 percent smooth transition.

Is this just the preview window messing it up (I use half resolution) or is there another problem I'm missing?

[ryan brown]

Go from 100 to 0, and bottom from 0 to 100. Where did you come up with 20, anyway??

[Jeff Anderson]

Yeah definitely use 0 and not 20... 20 would definitely cause the jump you are seeing...

[milksac]

If this is full frame video there's no need to set key frames on the bottom layer. Animate the opacity on the top layer, 0 - 100.

If the layers are not full frame (ie; graphics with an alpha or video that has a mask) then you will need to animate the opacity on both layers.

[Lynos]

How far apart do I need to place the keyframes? Should they be right next to each other?

I'm playing around with it, but it's still not looking good. It's not smooth. One shot begins to dissolve (that's when the keyframes are right next to each other), and the other shot just jumps in instead of appearing slowly.

I know it's unfair to ask for help without you looking at it, but I'll take what I can get...


And as for "where did I comer up with 20", well, I've only been working with AE for less than a month, so I guess that answers your question... :-)

[William_Robinette]

Make sure when your top layer starts to dissolve (anything less then 100% opacity) there is something under it to fill the frame. If your bottom track is a few frames late, you will see the top track drop its opacity then the bottom will "jump" in.

This will cause a jump because the top layer starts to fade but there is nothing there under it, then all of the sudden, another layer is visible as it comes in on the timeline.
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/6259/1207707911.jpg

No jump, because the underlying track is already there when the top one starts to fade.
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/6259/1207707984.jpg

[Jeff Anderson]

Zoom in til you can see the individual frames. I'm constantly doing this so I can nail my timing. the plus and minus keys will do this if you dont want to use the slider. As for the length of a transition, just depends on the feel you want it to have. I do alot of 1/2 second dissolves myself. A full second is the default that premiere does. I've done my share of long dramatic dissolves too though...

[Lynos]

Ok, thanks guys.

My tracks are aligned properly, so that's not the problem. But I definitely have some timing problem. I'll keep playing with that and see how it goes.

Thanks.