Opacity drop down arrow in clip

Question

I am confused on function of the 'opacity drop down arrow' on the top of each clip. After looking at the PIP guide, I am now assuming that it is mostly when PIP is used? Usually I get a choice of 'Motion" with the 6 submenu options relating to PIP I think. The other choice is 'opacity' which seems to be on/off? The only function I see when the 'position' choice in the ' motion' submenu is clicked, is that  the yellow line in the clip moves down, but there is no change in appearance of the clip. The other choice occasionally is 'stabilizer' with 4 submenu choices (smoothing etc). I am guessing for audio? Could someone explain the function of this 'opacity' drop down arrow at the top of each clip?
thanks...

Answer 1

PCNoviceMesa
Often in Premiere Elements there are more than one way to do the same thing. Often the user feels one way is quicker and easier than the other. Many users consider making adjustments at the clip's Rubberband level are quicker and easier than alterntives. The following will go to this point for each of Opacity and Motion Rotation for the video portion of a clip.
Opacity (the Opacity settings range from 0 to 100% with 100% as the default no matter where you are going to adjust the Opacity).
At Rubberband Level
When you import your clip with Opacity set in the Title of the clip,
the rubberband represents Opacity
the Opacity level is at 100%
its location is shown toward the top of the clip.
if you drag the rubberband downward with the mouse curse, you lower the Opacity anywhere from 100 to 0%.
Now I dragged the rubberband from its 100% Opacity downward and stopped at 33.33%.
I know that because, while I am dragging the rubberband downward there is a readout toward the bottom of the clip for the level
of the Opacity. See next screenshot.
Knowing what the Opacity range is 0 to 100% and watching the Opacity reading as I move the rubberband
up or down gives me control of the situation.
At Applied Effect Tab/Applied Effects Palette/Opacity Panel Expanded
I can get the exact same results by moving the Opacity slider from 100% to 0. I do not have to be bother with
the Rubberband way and vice versa. The topper is, when I do the Opacity set in Rubberband area, the Opacity
slider in the Applied Effects moves to whatever I set at the Rubberband level. And, if I do the Opacity set in the
Applied Effects, the Rubberband moves accordingly at the same time.
Motion Rotation
At Rubberband Level
When you import your clip with Motion Rotation set in the Title of the Clip the Rubberband represents Motion Rotation
the Motion Rotation level is at  0 x 0.0 degrees (note that Motion Rotation Rubberband has its own start level)
its  location is shown toward the bottom of the clip
if you raise the Rubberband above 0 x 0.0, you rotate the clip to the right; if you lower the Rubberband below 0 x 0.0, you rotate the clip to the left.
the Rubberband reading seen in the Timeline is -91x-8.0 when the Rubberband is dragged to is lowest level and 90x7.0 when raised to its highest level.
Rubberband 0 x 0.0 level default
Rubberband 91 x 7.0 level when dragged all the way to top of clip
The point here is that, while you are dragging the Rubberband up or down, you should be seeing the
corresponding reading for the property at the different level of the Rubberband. Do you see the 91 x 7.0 in
the screenshot immediately above?
I am going to stop here for now and not go into a comparison of Rotation when set in Applied Effects Tab route.
My recommendation for now, if you want to Rotate the clip for orientation purposes (one that imports sideward - some cell phone users
especially run into this)
a. right click the clip and select Rotate 90 Left or Rotate 90 Right
Please let me know if this supplemental information help any. And, what are the current matters that still need
clarification.
Thanks.
ATR