Transition

A transition in is any change from one viewed scene to the next. Transitions are generally used to indicate a shift in mood, the passage of time, or a change in perspective.

Transitions may make use of dedicated visual and or auditory effects in order to create continuity between separate scenes.

They are usually implemented during the Scripting process by a visual novel's Directors, Scripters, or Programmers.

Common Types of Transitions

Transition types used in visual novels share overlap with those used in filmmaking. Transitions may be used in combination with camerawork or other transitions to create the desired effect.

Dissolves

Dissolve transitions gradually lower or raise the opacity of the image in order to hide or show it. There are several types of dissolve transitions:

• Fade transitions dissolve from the previous image to a solid colour screen (or "wash") before dissolving in the new image.
• Cross-Dissolve transitions dissolve the new image in over the previous image.

Cuts

Cut transitions change directly to the new image.

Move Transitions

Move transitions involve horizontal movement, vertical movement, rotational movement, or movement in depth during the shift from one image to the next.

Image Transitions

Image transitions make use of a specified image effect to shift from one image to the next. These include mosaic transitions, blinds transitions, iris in or out transitions, and pixellate transitions.

Use in Scripting

Some Visual novel engines feature pre-defined transition effects which can be used to show or hide images, switch to different parts of the game script, or phase audio in and out.

Programmers may also define custom transitions to suit the needs of the project, which may be variations on pre-existing transitions or entirely new effects.

Creation of custom transitions may require the addition of Special graphics.