Gaps are the empty spaces between elements in an edit sequence. They can result from removing a portion of a clip with Ripple set to off, for example. To create a gap effect, apply a soft effect to a gap.
A gap effect is similar to a soft effect on an element with media. However, while a soft effect is restricted to the clip to which it is applied, gap effects are independent of all media. They affect the media under them. If you colour correct an empty layer, for example, the colour correction is seen on the layer beneath it. With gap effects, you can apply effects at a splice or transition, or add an effect to several clips at once. You can treat a gap effect like any other element, trimming and moving it, or copying it for use in another timeline.
Gaps can appear in different places in the timeline:
(a) Space between splice points (b) Empty layer (c) Empty space between elements
Because a gap effect is not restricted by in points, out points, splices and transitions, it is easily trimmed, moved and duplicated. You can trim a gap effect over the entire duration of the video track regardless of the underlying splice points.
You can also freely edit splices and transitions between elements on video layers under the gap effect. You can splice an element, add a transition at the splice point, and then replace the incoming element without affecting the gap effect. In addition, gap effects can be treated as clips. They can be copied and placed over different media in the timeline, or copied to the Source Area for later use.
For information on creating gaps, see Removing Elements from an Edit Sequence.
To apply a soft effect to a gap:
| Press: | To create this soft effect: |
|---|---|
| Alt+1 | Axis |
| Alt+2 | Wipe |
| Alt+3 | Sparks |
| Alt+4 | Colour Correction |
| Alt+6 | Blend |
| Alt+7 | Resize |
| Alt+8 | Text |
