Ffmpeg Transitions Effects

CRITICAL GUIDELINES

Windows File Path Requirements

MANDATORY: Always Use Backslashes on Windows for File Paths

When using Edit or Write tools on Windows, you MUST use backslashes (\) in file paths, NOT forward slashes (/).

Documentation Guidelines

NEVER create new documentation files unless explicitly requested by the user.

Quick Reference

When to Use This Skill

Use for video transition workflows:

• Joining clips with professional transitions
• Creating slideshows from images
• Adding fade in/out effects
• Multi-clip sequence editing
• Custom transition expressions

FFmpeg Transitions and Effects (2025)

Complete guide to video transitions, crossfades, and creative effects using FFmpeg.

Transition Overview

Available Methods

xfade Transition Types

FFmpeg's xfade filter supports 40+ built-in transitions:

Basic Fade Effects

Fade In/Out (Single Clip)

# Fade in from black (first 2 seconds)
ffmpeg -i video.mp4 \
  -vf "fade=t=in:st=0:d=2" \
  -c:a copy \
  fade_in.mp4

# Fade out to black (last 2 seconds)
ffmpeg -i video.mp4 \
  -vf "fade=t=out:st=8:d=2" \
  -c:a copy \
  fade_out.mp4

# Both fade in and fade out
ffmpeg -i video.mp4 \
  -vf "fade=t=in:st=0:d=1,fade=t=out:st=9:d=1" \
  -c:a copy \
  fade_both.mp4

# Fade to white instead of black
ffmpeg -i video.mp4 \
  -vf "fade=t=out:st=8:d=2:color=white" \
  -c:a copy \
  fade_white.mp4

Fade with Audio

# Video and audio fade in/out together
ffmpeg -i video.mp4 \
  -vf "fade=t=in:st=0:d=2,fade=t=out:st=8:d=2" \
  -af "afade=t=in:st=0:d=2,afade=t=out:st=8:d=2" \
  fade_complete.mp4

# Audio crossfade between two files
ffmpeg -i audio1.mp3 -i audio2.mp3 \
  -filter_complex "[0][1]acrossfade=d=3:c1=tri:c2=tri" \
  crossfade.mp3

xfade Transitions (Between Clips)

Basic xfade Usage

# Simple crossfade between two clips
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=4[v];\
                   [0:a][1:a]acrossfade=d=1[a]" \
  -map "[v]" -map "[a]" \
  output.mp4

Parameters:

• transition: Type of transition effect
• duration: Transition duration in seconds
• offset: When to start transition (from first clip)

Common Transition Effects

# Dissolve (pixel-based crossfade)
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=dissolve:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" dissolve.mp4

# Wipe left to right
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=wipeleft:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" wipe_left.mp4

# Wipe right to left
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=wiperight:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" wipe_right.mp4

# Slide left
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=slideleft:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" slide_left.mp4

# Circle open (iris)
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=circleopen:duration=1.5:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" circle_open.mp4

# Circle close
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=circleclose:duration=1.5:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" circle_close.mp4

# Radial wipe
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=radial:duration=1.5:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" radial.mp4

# Zoom in
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=zoomin:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" zoom_in.mp4

# Pixelize transition
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=pixelize:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" pixelize.mp4

# Diagonal wipe (top-left to bottom-right)
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=diagtl:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" diag_tl.mp4

# Horizontal blur
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=hblur:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" hblur.mp4

All xfade Transition Types

# Fades
fade        # Standard crossfade
fadeblack   # Fade through black
fadewhite   # Fade through white
fadegrays   # Fade through gray

# Wipes
wipeleft    # Left to right wipe
wiperight   # Right to left wipe
wipeup      # Bottom to top wipe
wipedown    # Top to bottom wipe
wipetl      # Wipe from top-left corner
wipetr      # Wipe from top-right corner
wipebl      # Wipe from bottom-left corner
wipebr      # Wipe from bottom-right corner

# Slides
slideleft   # Slide new clip from right
slideright  # Slide new clip from left
slideup     # Slide new clip from bottom
slidedown   # Slide new clip from top

# Reveals
revealleft  # Reveal from right edge
revealright # Reveal from left edge
revealup    # Reveal from bottom edge
revealdown  # Reveal from top edge

# Open/Close
horzopen    # Horizontal opening (curtain)
horzclose   # Horizontal closing
vertopen    # Vertical opening
vertclose   # Vertical closing
circleopen  # Circle iris open
circleclose # Circle iris close

# Shapes
circlecrop  # Circle crop transition
rectcrop    # Rectangle crop transition
radial      # Radial/clock wipe

# Diagonals
diagtl      # Diagonal from top-left
diagtr      # Diagonal from top-right
diagbl      # Diagonal from bottom-left
diagbr      # Diagonal from bottom-right

# Pixel Effects
dissolve    # Random pixel dissolve
pixelize    # Pixelization effect
hlslice     # Horizontal left slice
hrslice     # Horizontal right slice
vuslice     # Vertical up slice
vdslice     # Vertical down slice

# Other
zoomin      # Zoom into new clip
squeezeh    # Horizontal squeeze
squeezev    # Vertical squeeze
hlwind      # Horizontal left wind
hrwind      # Horizontal right wind
vuwind      # Vertical up wind
vdwind      # Vertical down wind
coverleft   # Cover from right
coverright  # Cover from left
coverup     # Cover from bottom
coverdown   # Cover from top

Multiple Clip Transitions

Three Clips with Transitions

# Calculate offsets: clip1=5s, clip2=5s, clip3=5s, transition=1s
# offset1 = clip1_duration - transition = 5-1 = 4
# offset2 = clip1_duration + clip2_duration - 2*transition = 5+5-2 = 8

ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 -i clip3.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=4[v1];\
    [v1][2:v]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=8[v];\
    [0:a][1:a]acrossfade=d=1[a1];\
    [a1][2:a]acrossfade=d=1[a]" \
  -map "[v]" -map "[a]" \
  three_clips.mp4

Slideshow with Transitions

#!/bin/bash
# slideshow.sh - Create slideshow from images with transitions

DURATION=3      # Each image duration
TRANSITION=1    # Transition duration
FPS=30

# Generate input commands
inputs=""
for img in *.jpg; do
    inputs="$inputs -loop 1 -t $DURATION -i $img"
done

# Calculate filter for 4 images
# Adjust offsets based on image count
ffmpeg $inputs \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v]scale=1920:1080:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease,pad=1920:1080:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2,setsar=1,fps=$FPS[v0];\
    [1:v]scale=1920:1080:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease,pad=1920:1080:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2,setsar=1,fps=$FPS[v1];\
    [2:v]scale=1920:1080:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease,pad=1920:1080:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2,setsar=1,fps=$FPS[v2];\
    [3:v]scale=1920:1080:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease,pad=1920:1080:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2,setsar=1,fps=$FPS[v3];\
    [v0][v1]xfade=transition=fade:duration=$TRANSITION:offset=$((DURATION-TRANSITION))[x1];\
    [x1][v2]xfade=transition=wipeleft:duration=$TRANSITION:offset=$((2*DURATION-2*TRANSITION))[x2];\
    [x2][v3]xfade=transition=circleopen:duration=$TRANSITION:offset=$((3*DURATION-3*TRANSITION))[v]" \
  -map "[v]" -c:v libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p \
  slideshow.mp4

Different Transitions per Cut

# Use different transitions between each clip
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 -i clip3.mp4 -i clip4.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=4[x1];\
    [x1][2:v]xfade=transition=wipeleft:duration=1:offset=8[x2];\
    [x2][3:v]xfade=transition=circleopen:duration=1.5:offset=12[v]" \
  -map "[v]" \
  varied_transitions.mp4

Custom Transitions with Expressions

Custom xfade Expression

# Custom diagonal wipe with easing
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=custom:duration=1:offset=4:\
    expr='if(gt(X+Y,W+H*P),B,A)'[v]" \
  -map "[v]" custom_diag.mp4

# Smooth custom fade
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=custom:duration=1:offset=4:\
    expr='A*(1-P)+B*P'[v]" \
  -map "[v]" smooth_fade.mp4

# Circular reveal with custom center
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=custom:duration=1.5:offset=4:\
    expr='if(gt(sqrt(pow(X-W/2,2)+pow(Y-H/2,2)),P*sqrt(pow(W/2,2)+pow(H/2,2))),A,B)'[v]" \
  -map "[v]" circle_reveal.mp4

Expression Variables

Advanced Transition Techniques

Luma/Alpha Matte Transitions

# Using a gradient image as transition mask
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 -loop 1 -i gradient.png \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v]format=rgba[a];\
    [1:v]format=rgba[b];\
    [2:v]format=gray,scale=1920:1080[mask];\
    [a][b][mask]maskedmerge[v]" \
  -map "[v]" -t 5 \
  luma_transition.mp4

Motion Blur Transition

# Add motion blur during transition
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v]split[a1][a2];\
    [1:v]split[b1][b2];\
    [a1][b1]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=4[fade];\
    [fade]tblend=all_mode=average:all_opacity=0.5[v]" \
  -map "[v]" \
  blur_transition.mp4

Push/Reveal Transition

# Push left (new clip pushes old off screen)
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v]fps=30[a];\
    [1:v]fps=30[b];\
    [a][b]xfade=transition=slideleft:duration=0.5:offset=4.5[v]" \
  -map "[v]" \
  push_left.mp4

# Cover transition (new clip covers old)
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=coverright:duration=0.75:offset=4.25[v]" \
  -map "[v]" \
  cover_right.mp4

Zoom with Ken Burns Effect

# Zoom transition with motion
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v]scale=2*iw:-1,zoompan=z='min(zoom+0.0015,1.5)':d=150:s=1920x1080[a];\
    [1:v][a]xfade=transition=zoomin:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" -t 6 \
  zoom_transition.mp4

Transition with Text/Graphics

Title Card Transition

# Fade to title card, then fade to next clip
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 \
  -f lavfi -i "color=c=black:s=1920x1080:d=3" \
  -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "\
    [1:v]drawtext=text='Chapter 2':fontsize=72:fontcolor=white:x=(w-tw)/2:y=(h-th)/2[title];\
    [0:v][title]xfade=transition=fadeblack:duration=1:offset=4[x1];\
    [x1][2:v]xfade=transition=fadeblack:duration=1:offset=6[v]" \
  -map "[v]" \
  title_transition.mp4

Lower Third Transition

# Animate lower third with clip transition
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 -i lower_third.png \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=4[bg];\
    [2:v]format=rgba[lt];\
    [bg][lt]overlay=x=50:y=H-h-50:enable='between(t,1,4)'[v]" \
  -map "[v]" \
  lower_third_trans.mp4

Performance Optimization

Hardware-Accelerated Transitions

# Use NVENC for faster encoding after transition
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" \
  -c:v h264_nvenc -preset fast \
  output.mp4

# Hardware decode + CPU transition + hardware encode
ffmpeg -hwaccel cuda -i clip1.mp4 -hwaccel cuda -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "[0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=dissolve:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" \
  -c:v h264_nvenc \
  output.mp4

Optimize for Preview

# Lower resolution preview
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v]scale=640:360[a];\
    [1:v]scale=640:360[b];\
    [a][b]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" \
  -c:v libx264 -preset ultrafast \
  preview.mp4

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

"Discordant resolution" error

# Ensure both clips have same resolution
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v]scale=1920:1080:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease,pad=1920:1080:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2,setsar=1[a];\
    [1:v]scale=1920:1080:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease,pad=1920:1080:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2,setsar=1[b];\
    [a][b]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" output.mp4

"Input streams have different frame rates" warning

# Normalize frame rates
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v]fps=30[a];\
    [1:v]fps=30[b];\
    [a][b]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=4[v]" \
  -map "[v]" output.mp4

Offset calculation for multiple clips

For clips of duration D with transition T:
- offset1 = D - T
- offset2 = 2D - 2T
- offset3 = 3D - 3T
- offsetN = N*D - N*T

Audio doesn't match video transition

# Sync audio crossfade with video xfade
ffmpeg -i clip1.mp4 -i clip2.mp4 \
  -filter_complex "\
    [0:v][1:v]xfade=transition=fade:duration=1:offset=4[v];\
    [0:a][1:a]acrossfade=d=1:c1=tri:c2=tri[a]" \
  -map "[v]" -map "[a]" \
  output.mp4

Verification Commands

# Check clip durations before creating transitions
ffprobe -v error -show_entries format=duration -of default=noprint_wrappers=1:nokey=1 clip1.mp4

# Check frame rate
ffprobe -v error -select_streams v -show_entries stream=r_frame_rate -of default=noprint_wrappers=1:nokey=1 clip1.mp4

# Check resolution
ffprobe -v error -select_streams v:0 -show_entries stream=width,height -of csv=p=0 clip1.mp4

Best Practices

Timing

1. Standard transition duration: 0.5-1.5 seconds
2. Match transition style to content mood
3. Use consistent transitions within a sequence
4. Avoid overly long transitions (>2 seconds)

Quality

1. Normalize resolution and frame rate before transitions
2. Use high-quality presets for final render
3. Test transitions at full resolution before batch processing
4. Consider color matching between clips

Style Guidelines

1. Fade/dissolve: Universal, professional
2. Wipes: Energetic, action content
3. Slides/pushes: Modern, dynamic
4. Circle/iris: Dramatic, theatrical
5. Pixelize/blur: Creative, artistic

This guide covers FFmpeg transitions. For drawing shapes and graphics, see the shapes-graphics skill.