How to Add Transitions in After Effects 2020: Plugins, Techniques, and Customization

If you are looking to add seamless and professionally designed transitions to your video projects in After Effects 2020, you can leverage the power of third-party plugins. This guide will explore both the use of available third-party tools and the creation of your own custom transitions.

Using Third-Party Plugins for Transitions

In the realm of video editing, transitions play a critical role in enhancing the visual appeal and narrative flow of your projects. One of the most reliable sources for these transitions is through the use of third-party plugins. These plugins often come with a wide variety of pre-designed effects that are easily incorporated into your After Effects projects.

Popular Plugins for Transitions in After Effects 2020

AEJuice Pack Manager is a notable plugin that offers a suite of transition effects. Among them, the AEJuice Seamless Transitions package is highly regarded for its quality and ease of use. By simply dragging and dropping these transitions into your project, you can achieve a polished and professional look.

To install these plugins, follow these steps:

Download the plugin from the official website or a trusted online marketplace. Install the plugin by following the on-screen instructions provided by the software. Load the plugin within After Effects by going to Window > Extensions > AEJuice Pack Manager. Select the AEJuice Seamless Transitions package from the available options and import them into your project.

Creating Custom Transitions in After Effects 2020

While third-party plugins offer a convenient and efficient way to add transitions, there will be times when you need more control over the visual elements. This is where custom transitions come into play. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create your own transitions from scratch:

Step 1: Understanding the Basics of Transitions in After Effects

Before diving into the creation process, it's crucial to understand the fundamentals of transitions in After Effects. This includes understanding the Timeline, keyframes, expressions, and other layers involved. Refer to the After Effects documentation or online tutorials to get a solid grasp on these basics.

Step 2: Setting Up Your Transition Layers

To create a custom transition, start by setting up two layers in your project. One layer should be the existing video or element you want to transition out, while the other layer will be the incoming video or element. Arrange these layers on the timeline in the correct order.

Step 3: Keyframe Creation and Animation

Keyframes are the building blocks of transitions. Start by setting keyframes on the opacity of both layers. For the outgoing layer, set the opacity to 100% at the beginning and 0% at the end of the transition duration. For the incoming layer, set the opacity to 0% at the beginning and 100% at the end.

Additionally, you can add other adjustments such as scaling, rotation, blending modes, and more. Use the stopwatch icon in the timeline to create keyframes, and adjust the timing and values as needed.

Step 4: Fine-Tuning Your Transition

After setting the basic keyframes for your transition, you may need to fine-tune it to ensure a smooth and natural effect. This can involve adjusting the keyframe timing, adding expressions, or tweaking blend modes to achieve the desired look.

Step 5: Exporting Your Custom Transition

Once your custom transition is ready, you can save it as a project file or export it as an individual effect. This allows you to reuse the transition for other projects or share it with others.

Conclusion

Both third-party plugins and custom transitions offer powerful solutions for enhancing the visual flow and engagement of your video projects. By harnessing the capabilities of After Effects and exploring both pre-made and custom transitions, you can create visually stunning and professionally executed videos that captivate your audience.

Remember, the key to creating compelling transitions is practice and experimentation. Whether you opt for a pre-made solution or tailor your transition to your specific needs, the end result will be a more dynamic and engaging video.

Keywords: After Effects transitions, AEJuice Seamless Transitions, custom transitions