Using Boris FX to Create a Transition

[ LiB ]

Boris FX works as an AVX plug-in. AVX plug-ins are effects designed and sold by software designers to work in conjunction with an Avid system. To install an AVX plug-in, drag the AVX file into the AVX Plug-Ins folder (which resides in the Supporting Files folder). See Figure A.1.

When Boris FX is installed on your computer, you'll notice that a new category of effects will appear in your Effect Palette. These effects can be applied to a title, a transition, or to an entire clip in the Timeline (see Figure A.2).

NOTE

NOTE

Boris FX offers a variety of options when it comes to installing it as an AVX plug-in. This appendix and the next use Boris FX Red. The steps to applying these effects apply not only to Boris FX Red but also to the standard Boris FX and Boris Graffiti.

To use Boris FX as a transition, simply click and drag the Boris Red Transition effect icon from the Effect Palette to your transition in the Timeline. Once you apply the effect, open the effect in the Effect Editor. You'll notice that there are no effect parameters in the Effect Editor (see Figure A.3).

Figure Figure A.1. Notice how the Boris FX plug-in is stored inside the AVX Plug-Ins folder, which was installed when you installed Avid Xpress Pro.

Figure Figure A.2. The Effect Palette displays all AVX plug-ins, including Boris FX.

Figure Figure A.3. In the Effect Editor, no effect parameters are available when you apply a Boris effect.

Now here's where the genius of Boris FX is applied. Simply click on the Other Options button at the top-left side of the Effect Editor. The Boris Red interface will open and both clips will be displayed in the Boris FX Timeline. Clip A will now be the Video 1 track and Clip B will be the Video 2 Track. Now you can use all of the Boris FX options to create a custom transition (see Figure A.4).

Figure Figure A.4. Avid Xpress Pro Timeline is now displayed in the Boris FX Timeline as two separate tracks.

NOTE

TIP

The duration of the transition should be set prior to opening the clips in Boris FX. When the Effect Editor is open, set the duration and then click on the Other Options button. This duration will be displayed in the Boris FX Timeline (see Figure A.5).

The duration of the transition stays the same when you open the transition in Boris FX.

After you've created the transition you like, simply click on the Apply button at the bottom of the Timeline in Boris FX (see Figure A.6). The interface will change back to Avid Xpress Pro. Render the transition the same way you render any other effect and view your results.

Figure Figure A.6. After you create the effect, click on the Apply button to apply the effect to the clips in the Avid Xpress Pro Timeline.

[ LiB ]