It's very easy. You can just drag the edge of the transition to any length you want. Zooming in on the timeline makes it easier to set a precise length. You can also change the default length of transition in the preferences settings. Regards,
Mike

Home-build system:
Intel Core i5 Quad Core 3.3GHz, 2 x 4GB DDR3 1333MHz,
Asus Nvidia GT440 1GB, 2 x Western Digital WD10EARS 1TB, 1 x Seagate ST1000DM010 1TB,
Windows 7 Prof 64-bit, PD 9 Ultra 64, PD 13 Ultimate 64

Is it possible to make the standard 'fade' transition fade more slowly or more gradually. Or perhaps create a new transition that changes from black to the first picture very very gradual until say the last few moments and then fade in quickly, that sort of thing.

Hi Brian,

I haven't tried to do anything like that but it looks as if you could achieve the effect you want by highlighting the clip, clicking on 'Keyframe', then selecting 'Opacity' from the Clip Attributes drop-down menu. You should then be able to set keyframes to get different rates of change of opacity at different times.

Hopefully one of the more expert contributors will be along to give a better explanation. Regards,
Mike

Home-build system:
Intel Core i5 Quad Core 3.3GHz, 2 x 4GB DDR3 1333MHz,
Asus Nvidia GT440 1GB, 2 x Western Digital WD10EARS 1TB, 1 x Seagate ST1000DM010 1TB,
Windows 7 Prof 64-bit, PD 9 Ultra 64, PD 13 Ultimate 64

Not an expert by any stretch of the imagination I'm afraid but I do second Fenman's suggestion re keyframing. It allows you far more control over how long a fade (transition in opacity) lasts and what the start and end values are (you might not want 0% or 100%). I do use 'pre-cooked' transitions but I like to create my own from scratch as well.

Fenman thank you for the suggestion, that is certainly a way to do it, I should have thought of it myself. Surprised that no-one has created a 'slow-fade' transition as I did search for one (unsuccessfully) in the 'Director Zone'. Thanks again.

Glad to be of help. After posting I did actually have a play with it and satisfied myself it does work. Regards,
Mike

Home-build system:
Intel Core i5 Quad Core 3.3GHz, 2 x 4GB DDR3 1333MHz,
Asus Nvidia GT440 1GB, 2 x Western Digital WD10EARS 1TB, 1 x Seagate ST1000DM010 1TB,
Windows 7 Prof 64-bit, PD 9 Ultra 64, PD 13 Ultimate 64