Transitions for 16:9

[TJIsACoolGuy]

Ok, I know you make each event cropped to 16:9 to make sure that any effects do not apply to the black bars on the top and bottom of the 4:3 picture. But what about transitions? Is there a good way to make sure that my "hard flash" transition for instance...does not make the top and bottom black bars white??? There has to be a good way to do this....and I'm sure it doesn't just include making two layers and cookie cutting out the video section.

[J.R. Hudson]

I always apply my 'letterbox' to the very top and final track. Even if you use a mask to work and pan/crop 4:3 you can apply another one on the very top track (Do not apply FX or Media Gene;s to this very top track).

[David Jimerson]

You can do it John's way if you want the picture to be a letterboxed 4:3 when you're done.

However, if you have everything cropped, you can render out as Widescreen and only the cropped portion of the picture will be rendered -- meaning the transition effect won't go beyond the picture.

Or, you can work in a Widescreen project and "stretch to fit" your cropped video. Then, you won't even have black bars in the preview at all.

In either Widescreen scenario, you can then make an anamorphic DVD which will automatically have letterboxing on a 4:3 TV. The letterboxing is added by the DVD player, so the transition effect will not be on it.

[TJIsACoolGuy]

Well I am working in a standard 4:3 project, and want to crop the events to 16:9. I am not sure what John's way is?! Are you saying apply the cropping to the very top track? I thought you could only do this to individual events. What would I do to do it that way. And when I output mpeg-2 for dvd architect 24p what would I choose to make it so the dvd player adds the black bars. The widescreen option? Thanks guys.

[J.R. Hudson]

It's just a mask that you apply. It is separate of your video track. It is separate of any FX/Gene's you apply.

[TJIsACoolGuy]

I am still a little confused. Would I create a duplicate of the event with the effect or transition, and place it on the top track, and then I don't have the transition as part of the top track, but then use the cookie cutter to shine through to the parts that include video?

[David Jimerson]

No. You would put a 16:9 mask (black bars with a transparent space in the middle) on the top track.