Transitions

Transitions control how one moment moves into another. Use them to soften cuts, create energy, or emphasize a scene change.

Open the Transitions tab

1. Open a project.
2. Put at least two clips on the timeline.
3. Click Transitions in the left asset panel.
4. Browse the transition library.

Add a transition between clips

1. Place two clips next to each other or near each other on the timeline.
2. Open Transitions.
3. Choose a transition.
4. Drag it onto the cut point or clip edge.
5. Adjust duration if needed.
6. Play a few seconds before the transition to preview it.

If the transition does not apply, make sure the clips have enough trimmed media for overlap-style transitions.

Transition categories

Fade and dissolve

Use these for subtle edits.

• Fade in/out.
• Fade in.
• Fade out.
• Crossfade.
• Dip to black.
• Dip to white.
• Flash.
• Flicker.
• Strobe.

Best for interviews, calm videos, tutorials, and scene changes.

Slides, pushes, and wipes

Use these when direction matters.

• Slide left/right/up/down.
• Diagonal slides.
• Push left/right/up/down.
• Wipe left/right/up/down.

Best for lists, step-by-step videos, UI demos, and energetic transitions.

Zoom transitions

Use these for social pacing.

• Zoom dissolve.
• Zoom in.
• Zoom out.
• Zoom punch.
• Zoom blur.

Best for TikTok/Reels/Shorts, hooks, beat cuts, and fast speaker edits.

Iris and spin transitions

Use these for stylized scene changes.

• Iris in.
• Iris out.
• Spin.
• Clockwise and counter-clockwise spins.
• 180-degree spins.
• Whirl.

Use sparingly unless the whole edit has a playful style.

Motion and elastic transitions

• Swing.
• Pendulum.
• Pop.
• Pop drop.
• Bounce.
• Bounce in.
• Rubber.
• Tumble.

Best for casual social clips, creator videos, and energetic intros.

Flip and fold transitions

• Flip horizontal.
• Flip vertical.
• Fold.
• Card flip.

Best for slides, before/after reveals, and product transitions.

Glitch and shake transitions

• Glitch.
• Glitch soft.
• Shake.
• Shake vertical.
• Jitter.

Best for gaming, music, tech, and high-impact cuts.

Snap and smooth variants

Some transitions have variants such as:

• Fade snap.
• Fade smooth.
• Slide-left snap.
• Zoom-in soft.

Use snap for short, punchy edits. Use smooth or soft for slower or more polished videos.

Adjust transition duration

1. Select the transition on the timeline.
2. Drag its edge or use its duration control.
3. Preview at normal speed.

Guidelines:

• 0.15-0.35s — fast social edits.
• 0.4-0.8s — general use.
• 1s+ — dramatic scene changes.

Shorter is usually better for spoken content.

Whole-clip vs timestamped transitions

Pluged AI supports transition workflows for:

• Whole-clip transitions — apply at clip starts, ends, or cut points.
• Timestamped transitions — occur at a specific time inside a clip or sequence.

Use timestamped transitions when you want an impact at a beat that is not exactly at a clip boundary.

Pair transitions with audio

Transitions feel stronger with sound.

Try:

• Whoosh for slides.
• Hit for zoom punch.
• Glitch SFX for glitch transitions.
• Soft riser for fade/dissolve.

Add sounds from the Sounds tab or import your own SFX.

When not to use transitions

Hard cuts often work better for:

• Fast dialogue.
• Educational content.
• Product demos.
• Screen recordings.
• Serious interviews.

If every cut has a transition, the edit may feel slower and less professional.

Troubleshooting

See also

• Timeline editing
• Effects and color
• Sounds and music