Skip to main content
Tziporah Zions/5 min read

Premiere Pro RGB Transition Effect

RGB Transition Build

1

Duplicate Your Clip

Stack three identical clips on V1, V2, V3.

2

Apply Channel Effects

Use Arithmetic or Channel Mixer to isolate R, G, B per layer.

3

Offset Each Channel

Slightly shift each layer's position for the chromatic split.

4

Animate the Split

Keyframe the offset over the transition duration to land on a clean cut.

Master Premiere Pro at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop's Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificate teaches Premiere Pro alongside After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, and motion design fundamentals.

Premiere Pro is a powerful video editing software, made for creating high-quality footage edits and dazzling effects. We’ll be combining two effects in the program to create a cool RGB transition effect between three clips. It’s a pretty yet simple effect that effortlessly moves from one clip to another.

Getting the Project Files

  1. Download the project files.
  2. After the download has finished, be sure to unzip the file if it hasn’t been done for you. You should end up with a Premiere Pro RGB Transition Effect folder.

Project Overview

We’ll be first carefully cutting up parts of our clips with theRazor Tool, then making Nested Sequences from the pieces. After that, we’ll be applying the Levels effect to both new sequences, then the Channel Blur as well. Finally, we’ll be adjusting some keyframes on the effects, and it’ll be done!

Body

1. Move the PlayheadAfter Effects RGB channels separated for individual color manipulation to 00;00;02;12.

2. Now, with Shift held down, hit the left arrow key four times to move back a total of twenty frames to 00;00;01;17.

3. Hit C to bring up the Razor ToolAfter Effects RGB transition effect - step 2.

4. Click right on where the PlayheadAfter Effects RGB transition effect - step 3 line touches the footage line to chop the footage there.

After Effects RGB transition effect - step 4

5. Now either slide the Playhead After Effects RGB transition effect - step 5 or use Shift-right arrow key to move the PlayheadAfter Effects RGB transition effect - step 6 to 00;00;03;07.

6. With the Razor Tool After Effects RGB transition effect - step 7 still in use, click on the intersection of the PlayheadAfter Effects RGB transition effect - step 8 line and footage to cut another piece off.

7. Hit V for the Selection After Effects RGB transition effect - step 9 tool.

8. Shift-Click on both footage slices you just cut off.

9. Right-click on either.

10. Click on Nest in the list that pops up. This will take both footage clips and combine them in a new clip together, side by side.

11. Name your new sequence RBG Transition 1.

12. Hit OK.

13. Now let’s move the PlayheadAfter Effects RGB transition effect - step 10 to00;00;5;16.

14. Shift-left arrow key to move the PlayheadAfter Effects RGB transition effect - step 11 three times to00;00;05;01.

15. Hit C to use the Razor Tool After Effects RGB transition effect - step 12.

16. Click on the intersection of the PlayheadAfter Effects RGB transition effect - step 13 and the footage to slice it.

17. Now let’s Shift-right arrow key six times to go to 00;00;06;06.

18. Hit C once again to use the Razor Tool After Effects RGB transition effect - step 14.

19. Click on the footage where the PlayheadAfter Effects RGB transition effect - step 15 intersects it for the last piece.

20. Press V to activate the Selection tool.

21. Shift-Click both new pieces.

22. Right-click on either.

23. Select Nest.

24. Name the new sequence RGB Transition 2.

25. ClickOK. We have our two Nested Sequence s! Onto applying the effects.

Effect Settings

1. Go over to the Effects panel on the left.

2. Type in Levels.

3. Click and drag the name Levels that show up ontoRGB Transition 1.

After Effects RGB transition effect - step 16

4. Click and drag Levels onto RGB Transition 2.

5. Now type in Channel Blur.

6. Click and drag Channel Blur onto RGB Transition 1.

After Effects RGB channels separated for individual color manipulation

7. And of course, click and drag Channel Blur onto RGB Transition 2.

8. Select RGB Transition 1.

9. In the top left there should be an Effects panel.

10. Move the PlayheadAfter Effects RGB channels separated for individual color manipulation to 00;00;01;16.

11. In the (RGB) White Input Levels, click the stopwatch After Effects RGB transition effect - step 19 symbol. This will set a keyframe.

12. Move the PlayheadAfter Effects keyframes animating the RGB transition timing to 00;00;02;11.

13. Change the (RGB) White Input Levels to0.

14. Once more, move the PlayheadAfter Effects keyframes animating the RGB transition timing to 00;00;03;07.

15. Scroll down to Channel Blur in the RGB Transition 1.

16. Click the stopwatch After Effects RGB channels separated for individual color manipulation next to Red Blurriness.

17. Click the stopwatch After Effects RGB channels separated for individual color manipulation next to Green Blurriness.

18. Now let’s move back to 00;00;03;07.

19. Change the Red Blurriness to 300.

20. Change the Green Blurriness to 30.

21. And finally, move back to 00;00;01;16.

22. Alter the Red Blurriness to 0.

23. Green Blurriness is now 0.

24. Lastly, check the box next to Repeat Edge Pixels to let the effect cover the edges of the footage as well.

25. Hit the Spacebar to preview your work. It blurs out with a slight chromatic effect, which is super cool. Let’s go on to the next sequence!

Final Nested Sequence

1. Move the Playhead After Effects RGB transition effect - step 24 to00;00;05;03.

2. Select RGB Transition 2.

3. Since we already added the effects before, you should see Levels there in theEffects panel.

4. Next to (RGB) White Input Levels, press the stopwatch After Effects RGB transition effect - step 25 to start keyframes.

5. Move the Playhead After Effects keyframes animating the RGB transition timing to00;00;05;18.

6. Change the (RGB) White Input Levels to0.

7. Move the PlayheadAfter Effects keyframes animating the RGB transition timing to 00;00;06;04.

8. Once more, we’ll change the (RGB) White Input Levels to 255.

9. Now go down to the Channel Blur effect that we added before to this sequence.

10. Press the stopwatch After Effects RGB channels separated for individual color manipulation next to Red Blurriness.

11. Do the same for Green Blurriness.

12. Go back to 00;00;05;18.

13. Change Red Blurriness to 300.

14.Green Blurriness, change to30.

15. Finally, move back to00;00;05;03.

16. Red Blurriness should be 0 once again.

17. Lastly, Green Blurriness is0 as well.

18. Move the Playhead After Effects RGB transition effect - step 29 to00;00;00;00.

19. Hit Spacebar and preview your video! Now the clips blend into each other with a cool colored transition. That was pretty simple!

Conclusion

With just two effects, the Razor Tool, and Nested Sequence s, you’ve made an awesome RGB transition! You can adjust the different Levels on the Levels effect, change up the settings on Channel Blur, and of course, alter the duration of the effects on your clips. Maybe just alter the Blue channe l or turn up all the settings on the Channel Blur clip. Add another effect and see what happens!

Happy editing!

Learn More About Motion Graphics

We offer the best motion graphics training in NYC. Our expert instructors guide you step-by-step through projects with real-world applications. Sign up today and start growing your career!