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Transition's powerful Border controls can create multicolor gradient borders
that can seamlessly change width, color, softness, opacity, and position over
time. The intuitive control shows a cross-section of the border, making fine adjustments
easy. Adding a border can:
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| Type 1 border | Type 2 border |
How to Modify the Entire Border or a Point
The checkered Color/Opacity indicator represents the border in cross-section. The checkered edges represent semitransparent to transparent areas. Above it are three adjustable control points that can create a wide variety of border looks. The active control point of the three is outlined in red, as shown below.
To alter the color or opacity of a single control point (thus only part of the border width), first click on the point to activate it. It will then be outlined in red. Then choose a color or drag the Opacity box left/right (or enter a value in the Opacity text box, from 0 to 255).
To alter the color or opacity of the entire border, Alt-click in the color palette or with the eyedropper. To change just the opacity of the entire border, Alt-drag the Opacity box.
Note you can drag the three control points left or right to further fine-tune the border. Moving a control point closer to the outside edge of the indicator will produce a harder edged border. Moving outer control points toward the center will increase the border's softness. Moving two control points closer that have different colors or opacities will create a sharper gradation of values.
To quickly transfer color/opacity from an active control point to an adjacent point, click either red triangle ("Transfer" triangles above) at the side of the control.
The default border color is white (you can change the default in the Prefs pane), but any color is possible, such as one that is already in your scene. There are provides two ways to change the color.
To match the border color to a color in your scene, click the Eyedropper in the Color control, then click in the SpiceMaster preview (as shown below) -- or anywhere else on your monitor! To apply the color to the entire border width (not just an active control point), Alt-click the eyedropper.
To choose a color in the standard Windows color picker, click the Color palette, which includes an Other button for custom colors (see below). To apply a color to the entire border width (not just a selected control point), Alt-click the color palette.
To create a multicolor gradient border, first click a control point, choose a color, then repeat for other points as desired.
How to Alter the Border Softness/Opacity
The chosen color will initially appear in the border with slight softness (thus less opacity along the edges). To increase (or decrease) the border's softness, drag one or both outer control points inward (or outward). To further soften the look, you can also decrease the opacity of that control point. In the example below, both steps have been done for the left control point, leading to a softer look in the top of the organic effect's border.
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To alter the entire border's opacity, Alt-drag the Opacity box.
How to Alter the Border Position
By default, the border you create will extend along BOTH sides of the effect's edge. To have a border appear only inside or outside of the effect's edge, choose Inside Edge or Outside Edge in the Border > Position submenu. Note this is the only Border setting that cannot change (i.e. be keyframed) during the effect.
Depending on other settings, choosing Inside Edge or Outside Edge may roughen the border along one side. To smooth that edge, apply some Softness.
How to Vary the Border During the Effect
For further creative flexibility, you can smoothly vary the border over time. By keyframing the Type 1 or Type 2 amount, for example, you can "vibrate" borders to a beat. Or keyframe the border color to evolve it during the effect. To vary border width over time, click the stopwatch icon next to the Type 1 or Type 2 control.
The keyframe graph for the above control will then appear. Click on the keyframe line -- or click the gray Add Key (+) button at the top right of the graph -- to add a new keyframe, then drag it where desired (higher is more border width). To add more keyframes, repeat as desired.
To keyframe Color/Opacity over time, first click on the stopwatch icon next to the Color control.
The keyframe graph for the above control will then appear. Click on the keyframe line to add a new keyframe, dragging it right or left until it is at the desired frame (it will not drag up or down). Then use the Border > Color and/or Opacity control to set the qualities of the new keyframe. To add more keyframes, repeat as desired.
Tips
• To access useful presets, click the FX folder icon at the right edge of the Border section.
• To see how to add an animated border ALONE without otherwise changing a clip, see "Cool Tips" section. Instant flowing energy wave!
• While the SpiceMaster preview plays, you can adjust Border settings interactively.
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