B-Roll Overlay Layering: Fade, Dissolve, Opacity Controls

Overlay effects control how B-roll and overlay clips appear and disappear on screen. Instead of hard cuts where the overlay suddenly pops in and out, you can apply smooth transitions and transparency for a more polished result.

Transition Types

Fade In / Fade Out

The overlay gradually appears from transparent to fully visible (fade in) and fades back to transparent at the end (fade out). This is the most common transition for B-roll — it feels natural and doesn't draw attention to the edit.

Cross Dissolve

When two overlay clips are adjacent on the timeline, a cross dissolve blends the end of one into the start of the next. The first overlay fades out while the second fades in simultaneously, creating a smooth handoff between B-roll clips.

Cut (No Transition)

The overlay appears and disappears instantly. Use this when you want a deliberate, punchy edit — for example, showing a reaction shot or a title card that needs to hit at an exact moment.

Applying Transitions

1

Select the overlay clip

Tap an overlay clip on the timeline to select it and open its settings.

2

Choose a transition

In the overlay settings, select the transition type for the clip's entrance and exit. You can set different transitions for the start and end.

3

Adjust duration

Set how long the transition takes. A short fade (0.2-0.3 seconds) is subtle; a longer one (0.5-1.0 seconds) creates a more dramatic effect.

Opacity Control

Opacity sets the maximum transparency of an overlay clip. At 100%, the overlay fully covers the main video. At lower values, the main footage shows through the overlay, creating a blended look.

Common uses for reduced opacity:

  • 50-70% — semi-transparent overlay that adds texture without hiding the main clip
  • 20-40% — subtle background layer, useful for atmospheric effects
  • 100% — full coverage, standard B-roll behavior
Fade + reduced opacity: Combining a fade transition with reduced opacity creates a gentle, cinematic overlay that enhances the visual without dominating it.