I place "B" roll clips on the PiP track, expand the timeline and drag the clip until audio synchs with the main track then mute the clip on the PiP track. When the timeline marker (scrubber) hits the PiP clip, the video from it shows but the original audio plays uninterrupted.

Be sure you have "show audio waveform" checked in setup.

how to preview both video tracks at the same time to see where to cut or add a transition??

Bif - thanks for the reply. I found that the PIP track can only provide direct "cuts" (I havent found a way to use transitions like a fade on the PIP tracks).

My new approach is to use the PIP to select a camera angle, and using the split tool to pull apart the video at exactly which angle I want. Then I drag a fresh copy of the video file (from the alternate angle) onto the master video track and use the trim screen to set the Mark In/Out times to the same frame that's on the PIP track. THen I can use the transitions. NOt sure if this will work completely right - I'm worried the audio will lose sync - and this is much more time consuming than I had originally expected.

Sorry I didn't see this earlier. I just opened a test project where I have living history cavalry unit riding in patrol formation off an old fort grounds. I used the PiP track for a cutaway to a hawk gliding above. The hawk clip simply cuts in and plays until the clip end and the cavalry on the main track is seen again.

I clicked on the hawk clip on the PiP track to select it, then clicked on the "Modify" button just above the timeline. When the PiP designer box appears you have two rectangular buttons at the top left of the box. If the left one is black and the right one gray, click on the right one and you get the "motion designer" box.

Now at the very bottom are two very small check boxes labelled "Fade in" and "Fade out". Click on both of these and what you will get is a dissolve (or cross fade) at both ends of the PiP clip. Simpler than what you are trying to do and the effect looks professional.

The main video track and it's audio remain undisturbed so you won't lose synch. Biggest synch problem may be dragging the PiP clip back and forth until actions synch with the audio. Expand the timeline a lot if you do this, then compress it again to your normal working setup when done with a clip.

I'm glad you raised this question, I just learned something I'll be using.

Bif

The thing is, I want to use fades and wipes.. I guess you cant??

Here's a solution.

Assemble your video using the master video track and PIP tracks. Perform all you alignments to get everything where you want them. At this point do not worry about transitions. Note in the timeline the approximate times where you want a transition and write it down. Once all your video is in place produce a file in the format you want your final project to be in. Now start a new PD project and input the produced video into the master video track. Go to the places where you wanted a transition and cut the master video track at those locations. Once all your cuts are made insert the transition of your choosing in those locations. Finally, perform any remaining editing such as titles, music, etc. Produce your final video using SVRT to minimize rerendering. Make sure along the way you use save as often.

Good luck. Q9300 2.5 GHz
4 GB Ram
Nvidia 9800 GT

Quote: The thing is, I want to use fades and wipes.. I guess you cant??

One thing you might keep in mind is that wipes and fancy transitions are "gimmicky" and often call attention to themselves. While there may be a bit of a "wow" factor at first, in too many cases they can ruin the mood that is being set.

PD7 has a "boatload" of "glitzy" transitions (as do the other NLE packages) that I will never be caught dead using. Remember the first "Star Wars" movie? They used a lot of different wipes and the transitions were almost "cartoonish" for a second or so.

The two I use exclusively are the crossfade (lap dissolve in the old film days) and fade out to black with fade in from black. For the latter in PD7 you have to make that one by putting a black color board with fade on each end on the timeline, produce it to a format you can reimport as media and then drop it in when you need it. Unfortunately I could not get that to work the same on the PiP track.

A gentle dissolve is a beautiful transition and should be perfect for most transitions needed in a wedding video. Does not look "glitzy" (cheap).

Fade to black signifies end of a chapter or sequence with fade in from black, the beginning of a new one. And you will have to use this one on the main video track.

For a wedding I definitely would not use wipes and page curls and that sort of thing. (My wedding experience is from the old film days before digital. I've photographed a ton of weddings mostly with Hasselblad.)

I would only use FADES for weddings.. HOWVER for other videos I want to be able to use the transitions.. not all of them .....

I understand wanting to be able to use what's there. My prejudices have been re-inforced by seeing critiques of videos (competition and challenge entries) where "gimmicky" stuff really takes severe hits.

One thing to try is to put an clip you want to use as an overlay on the timeline and add the transition effects where you need them, produce that to a file you can import as a media file with your main project open.

Drag 'n drop it on the PiP track and see if the transition works.