OT: New Tool for the Toolbox!

Sol M. wrote on 7/14/2006, 12:14 AM
I love Vegas, but there are just a few things that I've always missed from the days when FCP was my primary NLE. One of those things was how FCP would automatically create a project folder with default folders setup for different assets (source files, etc.) whenever you would start a new project. Maybe it's just because I used FCP for so long, but I've always longed for Vegas to manage projects more similar to the way FCP does.

Well, 2 versions of Vegas have already come along since Vegas became my primary (read: preferred) NLE, and it doesn't look like Vegas will be doing anything in this area anytime soon (but I'd love to be wrong!). So I spent the last couple of days (read: shirked my other responsibilities) to build a little tool to help make managing my projects and their assets a little bit simpler. Anyway, since I built this initially for my Vegas projects, I thought I'd share it with the other Vegas users in case they might it useful as well.

So I present to you, Structure (download link)

What's it do
Very simply, Structure automates the process of creating a project folder, with all the different directories that you need for a project.

Huh?
Okay, say you've got a new video project called "The Big One", which you need to edit, and then author to DVD. Structure makes it quick and simple to create a project directory already containing the different folders you need to make sure everything stays nice and organized.

Such as:

The Big One
-->Source
-->DVD
--->Assets
--->Media
--->Menus
--->Subtitles
--->Prepare
--->Render

How much work does it take?
Just give your project a name and press OK! Done! Structure does the rest.

Now it sounds too simple...
It really is that simple, but it also has more if you want to get more in-depth.
Just to name a few:

1) Profiles - Not everyone uses the same folder structure for their projects (nor do all projects require the same folders). Simply, customize your own folder structures to use for any type of project you want

2) Save/Recall Different Profiles - Create different folder structures for different types of projects (video, audio, web, etc.) that you can customize to your heart's content, and then save and reuse anytime you want.

3) Create multiple Project folders simultaneously - Just separate the different project names by a "," (comma), and you'll have a separate folder for each project, each containing the folder structure you setup.

Well, there's more (probably), but that's just a few things that help you make Structure work for you.

Anyway, there's still a few things I'd like to add/refine, but I thought I would share it with you guys so that you can give me feedback on what you would like to see Structure do. (There's probably some bugs that I missed to).

Best of all, this tool is Freeware, so use it and share it with others who you think might find it useful.

Get Structure now! (No installation required! Just unzip and run!)

Comments

Grazie wrote on 7/14/2006, 12:40 AM
WOW!! This could be an answer to this maiden's pray .. .

Jive, well done. Do this program cover the following?

1/- Set Path for Prerendered files Folder

2/- Set Path to aim at Video Capture Program

3/- Set path to default VST search folders

4/- Set path to Capture Folder

5/- Set path to my Temporary files folder

6/- Set Paths to folders containing VST Folder effects AND alternates!

7/- Set Paths to "recorded files folder"

. . I know I MUST'VE missed something here Jive?
Sol M. wrote on 7/14/2006, 1:24 AM
Sorry to get your hopes up, but it doesn't actually change any of Vegas' settings (yet?). What it does is create your preferred folder structure whenever you want to start a new project.

This means:
1) Your projects will all have a standard structure, so you'll know what folder you've placed your assets in for a given project
2) You'll be more organized because all your assets will have a place in the project folder
3) You'll be able to get working on your project faster because won't need to spend the extra time it takes to set up a folder for it and all the other folders within it so you have a place to put everything once your project gets rolling.

Not sure how possible it is to set all of the things you mentioned on a per-project basis in Vegas, but those are all things that interest me greatly as well. I'll be looking into it if no one else does.

Really tho, try the program and see exactly what it can do. Maybe you'll find it useful.
Jim H wrote on 7/14/2006, 6:02 AM
Another way to do this would be to just create a template folder structure and copy/paste it over and over for each project. Right?
dvboy wrote on 7/14/2006, 8:20 AM
Nice one - will most certainly make life easier
Zulqar-Cheema wrote on 7/14/2006, 8:46 AM
perhaps its me perhaps I am lazy, I have created those folders in a main folder and then just copy it to the new destination and there they are all my folders and any assets I always use.
I just have to re-name the main folder.

Wedding of...... (main folder)
DVD
MPEG
Video
Audio
Project
Pictures
Grazie wrote on 7/14/2006, 9:13 AM
I don't have any problem with that - Cheems! - but, I want Vegas to KNOW where I put stuff. I do know how to make folders. I want Vegas to KNOW where stuff is.

And when I say I want Vegas to KNOW, I'm not loosing it - I know Vegas can't mind-read me.
Sol M. wrote on 7/14/2006, 12:49 PM
Jim H said:

Absolutely. If you already have a workflow that is fast enough for you, then this little tool may be of little use to you. The workflow you're most familiar/comfortable with will usually be the fastest for you. Personally, I got tired of always having to drag/drop and copy/paste my default directory structures (especially since that meant keeping track of multiple directory structures for different types of projects). Now, all I have to do is type in the name of the new project and press OK and I'm done with that task. It lets me get started on the actual editing with less delay.

It works for me (that's why I made it), but it may not factor well into everyone's workflow.

Here's a shot of the application (image)
Jay Gladwell wrote on 7/14/2006, 12:54 PM

Great idea! Thanks for sharing!