Transitions Templates: Drag-and-drop vs Head-to-tail

Updated August 2024
Learn about these two different methods that will shape your project’s structure and usability.
DaVinci Resolve Transitions Templates: Drag-and-drop vs Head-to-tail
When creating a transitions template for DaVinci Resolve, you can choose between two different methods that will shape the project’s structure and usability. A transition template can either work using the head-to-tail method or the drag-and-drop method.
In this article, we’re going to explain the difference between these two methods. You should choose the method that is most applicable to your template.
Head-to-tail method
The head-to-tail method requires a cut at the end of the first footage (A) and another cut at the beginning of the second footage (B). These cuts are then placed inside of two correspondent media placeholders. The final result of this edition is a timeline (that can be found in the 02. Final folder of the project structure) where the transitioning effect takes place. This then needs to be added between the two original clips. The example below helps to clarify how this process works.

Drag-and-drop method
The drag-and-drop method allows the user to drag the transition from the project structure folder, placing it into the timeline in a layer on top of the cut between their media. If your drag-and-drop transition is constructed using adjustment layers with effects, the user will need to decompose it in their working timeline. To do this just right-click the transition, go to ‘Decompose in Place’, and click ‘Using Clips Only’, as shown in the example below.

Which method should I choose to create my Transitions Templates?
For each method described in this article there are two models that objectively direct toward a preferable choice.
A drag-and-drop transition can use adjustment layers. The project model should contain Final Render timelines that the user will be able to select and decompose in their working timeline.
Check out this example: ‘Torn Paper Transitions’.
When your transition looks like a full-screen cover, in which the rough cut between the two clips is hidden behind the animation, then it should use the drag-and-drop method.
These examples show what this looks like: ‘Pride LGBTQ Transitions Pack’ and ‘Abstract Colorful Transitions’.
You should choose to create a head-to-tail transitions project when the end result of the animation requires the use of alpha matte layers.
It could be due to how the animation enters the screen, like in these examples: ‘Liquid Transitions’ and ‘Colorful Cartoon Transitions’. In other cases, the properties of the original clips are modified, such as rotation, sliding, distortion, etc.
These examples show what these look like: ‘Transport Transition Titles’ and ‘Soccer Ball Transitions’.
Choosing which method to use when creating your template should be based on the design of the project and the effects used to achieve the intended result.
You should choose the method that provides the easiest end usability for Motion Array’s users. If your template uses the head-to-tail method it should be submitted as a DaVinci Resolve template.
The drag-and-drop method offers an easier-to-use choice for Transitions templates, but it might be even more applicable to submit them as DaVinci Resolve Macros. Users will be able to preview the transitions and drag them from the Effects library.
Check out our article on the differences between Templates and Macros and why the latter can offer more advantages for Motion Array’s users.
Have any questions? Contact us at content@motionarray.com