Comments

Cheesehole wrote on 9/17/2002, 2:44 AM
>>>Most of the edit platforms I've run in the past 36 years allow me to manage my media database with sorting functions,etc. Vegas does not.

Vegas is different than any NLE I've used in the past too. THANK YOU SOFO FOR ORIGINAL THINKING!

>>> I conratulate you in being able to work with a Media Pool with hundreds of clips.

BillyBoy said that he uses the Explorer tab to manage the media, not the Media Pool. I also use the explorer tab. managing media at the "clip bin" level is only useful in the application you are using at the time. managing media properly (on the hard drive in subfolders) organizes it for ALL applications past, present, and future. when I train people, that is the first thing I teach them.

as Craig said, the only thing missing is *pics* or *icons* in the explorer window, so we can easily see what the contents of each clip are.

>>>Its neice to be able to sort all (generic water shots) into a "water rack" and then be able to see all the choices.

this can be accomplished using clever file naming and search techniques with Windows Explorer. there are so many advantages to organizing files at the file system level.
EW wrote on 9/17/2002, 8:22 AM
I think it is more of a database function requested, that is, the ability to sort on criteria that explorer can't. If you create folders in explorer based on scene names or numbers, then you cannot use explorer to show you all "night" shots captured or all of "susan's" clips, since they probably span multiple folders. A database would allow this type of multi-purpose sorting. The only way to (sort of) do this in explorer is to have everything in one big folder, then use the various column sorts, but they are VERY limited when it comes to the specificity required for an editing project.

I agree that the media pool is just that, a "pool" of clips used in your project. Sorting and organizing is best done thru explorer. But, some people seem to want to be able to sort the clips that are actually used in their projects as well. I'm not quite sure why you would need to have this, since the media pool contains what you already decided to include.

Maybe sorting in media pool is helpful if you are trying to locate a clip you want to use again. It's probably easier to find it in sorted folders, then trying to remember where you already used it in the timeline(so that you can right-click it and see what it is). Even if it IS sorted already in explorer, you might not know which of the 20 takes is the one you already used in your project, since explorer will show all captures, not just used clips. My current project contains over 500 clips, but the only time I need to use the media pool is if I need to reuse a clip, say as an insert, and even then, I often just find it in the timeline, copy it an paste it where I need it. Otherwise, when I'm adding new clips to the project I go to Explorer to get them from my sorted folders.

As far as the initial sorting done in explorer, since I tend to sort as I capture, the vidcap application should be creating "real" folders for sorting during capture, but it doesn't. Also, when you move already captured media into new folders via explorer, the vidcap file should be able to update the new location automatically. If you need to re-capture, vidcap needs to know where you intend your clips to go.

I think, it's the vidcap that could be improved, slightly.
SonyEPM wrote on 9/17/2002, 9:19 AM
There's always room for improvement, no arguement there...but did you know there is an editable comment field in the Vegas media pool? You could type "night" or "Susan's clips" in the comment field and sort by comment (or by tape, timecode, last modified, or any other field).
BillyBoy wrote on 9/17/2002, 9:52 AM
One of the best things about Vegas Video is there is more than one way to do many things. :-)
EW wrote on 9/17/2002, 10:45 AM
>>There's always room for improvement, no arguement there...but did you know there is an editable comment field in the Vegas media pool? You could type "night" or "Susan's clips" in the comment field and sort by comment (or by tape, timecode, last modified, or any other field).>>

Didn't notice that. It certainly does add to the sorting options.
BillyBoy wrote on 9/17/2002, 9:46 PM
What some may find useful for selecting raw footage or images already on their system. Assumes you're using a fairly good size monitor at a fairly high resolution like 1280x1028 or higher.

1. Reduce the window size that Vegas Video appears in to take up about 60% of the desktop width. Select Media Pool.

2. Open Window Explorer, size this window to fill the remaining room on your desktop having the two windows side by side. Navigate to the folder where you source files are located.

3. Locate either image or video files in Windows Explorer. While holding down left mouse button drag over to Media Pool. Thumbnails will appear automatically. Videos show first frame and by pressing the start preview button in Media Pool (green arrow) they immediately play in the preview window without harming your project.
John_Beech wrote on 9/18/2002, 12:07 PM
Thank you BillyBoy, this is more like the constructive input I expect from reading ysome of our postings!