Thanks, Just like you said, it asked to search, searched my drive till it found the first one, then asked if I wanted it to use that dir for the rest. Live and Learn.

Is there any way to get it to automatically import everything in the dir, so that I can save that step, everytime I add something new?

Is there any way to get it to automatically import everything in the dir, so that I can save that step, everytime I add something new?

Sure, and it's dirt simple.

1) Using "Save As," check the box that says "Copy media with project"
2) Pick a new folder as a location to save your project, and click "Save."
3) It will ask you if you want to save the trimmed media, or the complete files

Or...on your media drive (you do have separate drives right?) have a folder named "Captured video". In that folder place a "new folder" for each project before you start capturing. Name the "New folder" i.e. "Project ABC. When you capture direct that each project be captued into its own folder.

No, not yet, but when I go Pro, I'll get a seperate drive.......

I'm not sure if you understand my final question, though. I'd like to be able to just give the project a path, and have it accept every file in that path as project media. Currently, everytime I add a new file to that dir, I still have to do a Project->Import Media to pull it into the project. I'd like to have it included automatically (as a result of being resident within that dir) as project media.

I don't use the project media window at all, not ever. I'd prefer to have it not even be part of the software.

I create a folder for all the files for a new project and then keep Vegas' explorer window open on that folder. If it's in that folder it's part of my project; if it's not part of my project it doesn't go in that folder.

That just seems to work WAY better than the project media window.

Oh, ok, didn't realize that I didn't have to do the whole "Import media" thing. And then you just drag and drop onto the timeline? What about the trimmer?

Well, i never use the trimmer either. I don't think i've even looked at the trimmer since version 2. But, you can still right-mouse-button click in the explorer window and open in trimmer just like you do from project media.

Kelly,
Using your method, if you create subclips (ie in trimmer) are they then saved back in 'your' folder or into project media. Or don't you use subclipsd either :>))

Never had any need for 'em.

I slice up the clips on the timeline and arrange them how i want them. Project media, trimmer, & subclips not needed.

That's how I started my first project, sans the "not importing". I would drag and drop to the end of the timeline, then parse through it, cut and paste the desirable clips onto the earlier timeline. But I found I was doing so much traversing back and forth on the timeline. It seems easier to use the trimmer, that way you keep your position on the timeline, and cut and paste from the trimmer directly down to the timeline. But to each his own. Thanks for the info.
I wonder though (using your method of not importing), if I move the project (onto a new folder, computer, ...,) will it be cognizant of what files (media) it needs?

I'm with Kelly re trimmer, subclips, and project media. Some people find they can only work in the trimmer though.

"if I move the project (onto a new folder, computer, ...,) will it be cognizant of what files (media) it needs? "

It will be cognizant of what files it needs, and if you are using a separate media folder and the path has not changed, it should know where to find them.

Since I prefer to keep my project and media self-contained in one folder, I find that "Copy media with project" works best for me. It also gives me a backup if I need it later.

Placing a file on the timeline imports it into the project. If you peek back at the project media window you'll see that anything you've put on the timeline is there, even if you didn't specifically place it in the project media window yourself.

My problem with project media is that it grabs and holds onto media that i don't necessarily want in the project. Clips i've removed from the timeline stay in project media even if i'm never going to use them again. Vegas then saves those file names with the project file. Then later one when i'm cleaning up i'll try to delete files i know aren't on the timeline and either i can't because Vegas is still open and hogging those files, or the next time i open the project Vegas complains about not being able to find files i'm not even using! So i find myself constantly clicking the "clean project media" button even though i never use project media.

So i find myself constantly clicking the "clean project media" button even though i never use project media.

I find myself doing a lot of the same thing. It would be nice if there was a way to turn it off or auto-delete unused icons from project media.

Is there any way to determine, in the Project Media view, if a particular file is actually being used on the timeline?

I find that I have a lot of text media in my view, but I suspect many of them aren't used (I created them and then deleted them from the Timeline).

If I try to delete them in the Project Media view, will it only complain on the ones that are actually in use on the timeline?