Maybe a 'rolling edit' would do what you want. Try holding down Alt + Shift while you trim.

Bob.

1] Roll video

2] Tap "M" key on the beat OR where you WANT a change of still

3] Run a "Stills to Marker" script - DONE!

This'll getcha stills on the beat.

Grazie

I have tried the marker method and found it pretty good for getting the rough edit in place. But a lot of the images need to be precisely timed - which is why I'm flouncing around the timeline dragging and pulling left & right.

And I suppose the marker advice also means there is no "lock transition length" command / script / shortcut or preference ?

That's a simple way to initially get the project setup however it doesn't address the issue originally raised, how to move the transition between two clips without changing the length of the transition. If you're a clutz at feeling the beat like me or your keyboard is a bit sticky the markers might well be put down in the wrong spot to start with.

I was interested in this because I've wasted some time moving dissolves around, triming the end of one clip and then the next whilst trying to keep the transition length the same. My suggestion of using a rolling edit twas a bit of a stab in the dark as I'd never thought to use that before and I didn't have a Vegas system free to try it on.

Well I do now and blow me down, it works!!!
Hold down Alt + Shift, grab the appropriate end of the transition and drag. I've only tested this in V6, can't imagine it's changed since. The only slightly confusing thing is when you grab the LH end of the transition you get the correct rolling edit pointer. When you grab the RH edge of the transition you get the fade pointer. Don't worry about that, both work the same.

This old dog is still learning new tricks. Thanks to alltheseworlds for asking , I would never have thought to try this one if he hadn't.

Bob.

Take a look at the Editing tab under preferences, and these two items:

1. Automatically overlap multiple selected media when added.
2. Cut to overlap conversion (Amount (seconds))

Also, Bob's suggestion on rolling edits will be very helpful.

Jerry

Nice one Bob.

Richard

Bob, that's exactly what's needed !

But alas, when I try it (in v8 and v5), nothing will move !

:-( Can someone else try this and see whether it works in v8 ?

Just tested it in V8, works perfectly.
You need to grab the end of the transition, not the mid point!

Because you're doing a rolling edit the out point of clip 1 and the in point of clip 2 both move in unison hence keeping the transition the same length.

Bob.

First, this is a great tip. I didn't know about this feature.

Second, when I tried it, nothing moved for me either. I then played around and found that Shift-Alt didn't do anything, but Ctrl-Alt did. Try that.

Also, check out the "Keyboard Shortcuts" section of the Vegas help for even more tricks like this.

Thanks John!

Yish, brain is lagging WAY behind the keyboard these days, indeed it's Ctl+Alt!

I should give credit where it's due. I learned about rolling edits from Spot when he was down here years ago. Funny thing was he said to me "Bob, what are you doing here, you know all this stuff". Well a rolling edit was one thing I DIDN'T know about, money and time well spent.

Bob.

I do this very simply and easily with ripple edit enabled. Drag (simple drag, not Ctrl or Shift or Alt) the end of the 1st clip of the transition. The beginning of the 2nd clip moves with it as soon as you let up on the mouse button.