ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Wipe (transition)

Okay kiddo, do you remember when you colored on the whiteboard with markers and then your teacher wanted to erase it all so she used a special cloth or sponge to wipe it off? Well, wiping is a similar thing that happens during movies or presentations.

Sometimes, in movies or presentations, you might notice how the screen changes from one scene or slide to another with a special effect that looks like the screen is being cleaned or wiped away. This effect is called a wipe. It's like someone is using that special sponge or cloth to clean the screen and reveal a new picture or scene.

Wipes come in different shapes and directions. There's a horizontal wipe where the screen is wiped across from left to right or right to left, like when you're wiping a table with a cloth. Then there's a vertical wipe where the screen is wiped from top to bottom or bottom to top, just like how you might wipe a window with a paper towel.

The purpose of a wipe is to make the transition between two scenes or slides look cool and interesting. It's a fun way to keep your attention focused on the movie or presentation. So, the next time you see a wipe effect on the screen, you can tell your friends what it means!