How To Create a Smooth Video Transition Between Clips in Premiere Pro
Transitions don’t need to be flashy to feel good. A well-timed shift between shots can keep the pace of your video steady and make it more entertaining to watch. This quick technique gives you a clean, customizable transition in Premiere Pro using an adjustment layer and just two built-in effects. It’s simple to set up, easy to reuse, and a nice way to avoid default transitions that don’t always fit your style.
Stack your clips and an adjustment layer to start your video transition
For this to work, you’ll need your two clips lined up with no gap between them. On a track above them, drop in an adjustment layer that spans the cut. This will be the space where you animate the transition without affecting the clips directly.
Do this:
- Place your clips side-by-side on the timeline
- Add an adjustment layer above the cut point
Add movement and blur to your transition video with two simple effects
These two effects handle the whole transition. Offset will shift the image across the screen, while Directional Blur softens that motion. Combined, they create a subtle push between shots with a bit of motion blur to smooth it out.
Do this:
- Search for Offset and Directional Blur in the Effects panel
- Drag both onto the adjustment layer
Time the keyframes around the edit point
To animate the transition, set keyframes before and after the cut. This creates a short burst of motion that bridges the two clips. You’ll shift the image slightly and blur the movement for a clean handoff.
Do this:
- Move to the cut point in the timeline
- Go 5 frames before and set keyframes for Shift Center and Blur Length
- Go 5 frames after, adjust Shift Center to slide the image, and increase Blur Length
- Return to the cut point and set Blur Length to your preferred amount
- Set Blur Direction to 90°
Use easing to refine the motion in your video transition
Right now, your keyframes trigger motion abruptly. By applying easing, you can smooth the transitions so they start and stop more gradually, which feels more natural in most edits.
Do this:
- Select all keyframes on the adjustment layer
- Right-click → Temporal Interpolation → Ease In and Ease Out
Now you’ve got a clean transition video that fits your footage
You can reuse this technique across projects, adjusting the blur amount or direction depending on the feel you want. It’s quick to set up and works with any kind of footage, from talking heads to B-roll.
Finish your edit with polished, ready-made designs
Once your cut is in place, it’s a good time to add branding — a quick intro, lower third, or outro to tie the video together. With 17,300+ customizable motion graphic templates on Videobolt, you can skip the manual setup and drop in motion graphics that look consistent and professional. Everything is customizable, optimized, and ready to export—no keyframes or deep settings required. Happy creating!