When you create a dissolve between two clips, the first source clip you select is the outgoing clip and the second source clip is the incoming clip.

The number of frames over which the dissolve occurs is specified by the dissolve duration. The dissolve duration is set when you select a frame in the incoming clip; the number of the selected frame relative to the first frame in the clip is used as the dissolve duration. For example, if you select frame 10, the dissolve duration will be 10 frames.

In the following example, the fourth frame in the incoming clip is selected. As a result, the dissolve duration is set to four.

To create a dissolve:

1. Click Dissolve in the Editing menu.
2. Select Dissolve from the Dissolve Type box.
3. Set the dissolve options. See Accessing the Desktop Dissolve Menu.
4. Select the first source clip. The first source clip is the outgoing clip.
5. Select the second source clip. The second source clip is the incoming clip. The number of the frame that you select in the incoming clip specifies the dissolve duration.

   An “E” (for Editor) appears on the Dissolve button after you select the second clip. To use the Dissolve Editor, click the Dissolve button again. See Creating Complex Dissolves with the Dissolve Editor.

6. Select a destination reel.

   A new clip containing the dissolve appears on the destination reel. The length of the clip can be determined using the following equation:

   (length of outgoing clip) + (length of incoming clip) - (dissolve duration)

   The dissolve is indicated on the proxy with the label D(n/m), where n is the frame's position in the dissolve and m is the length of the dissolve. For example, for a 10-frame dissolve, the first frame is labelled D(1/10) and the last, D(10/10).