Create an ink transition effect

Go beyond a typical wipe or dissolve between shots and create a fluid transition using a matte consisting of a spreading ink pattern, a paintbrush stroke, or even a billowing cloud of smoke that gradually fills the screen. We’ve provided a sample brush stroke clip for you to try.

For best results, your matte clip should show a black screen changing into a white screen. If it does the opposite, simply swap the black and white: Switch to the Effects workspace, search for Invert in the Effects panel, and drag it to your clip. (Make sure you drag from the Video Effects category, not the Audio Effects category.)

Make sure your matte shows a strong contrast between black and white. Click the Lumetri Color panel to expand it and display the Basic Correction section. With the clip selected in the sequence, adjust the settings for Contrast, Highlights, Shadows, Whites, and Blacks until you maximize the difference between black and white.

To initiate the transition, first make sure there are at least two empty video tracks below the matte clip. Place the outgoing clip (the one we see before the transition starts) directly beneath the matte and trim its end to match. Search for the Track Matte Key effect in the Effects panel and drag it to the outgoing clip. In the Effect Controls panel, change the Track Matte Key’s settings: Select the video track of the matte, choose Composite Using Matte Luma, and click Reverse. When you play the sequence, the matte will show the outgoing clip being gradually covered by black — brush strokes in this case.

To complete the transition, place the incoming clip underneath the outgoing clip, aligning it with the start of the matte. Now when you play the sequence, the matte will reveal the incoming clip through the black.

To smooth the ending of the transition, fade out the outgoing clip (right-click > Apply Default Transitions). Consider also changing the matte’s duration (right-click > Speed/Duration) if you’d like it to play faster or slower.

Try this trick: Use identical outgoing and incoming clips — the first desaturated, the second as is. The transition will look as though the color is gradually being painted on the monochromatic shot. 

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