Please Explain VS's Convention for Saving Files

[KeithC]

I am baffled. I've been working with VS11+ for several days and have yet to understand how it saves files. I know it preserves a master file of any project as you make alterations (trim, audio volume, etc, etc.), but after following the directions I end up with little or no files where I told VS to put them.

For example: I have compiled several AVI clips from a Small Wonder camera. These files have been batch converted to DVD Mpeg using VS. Next I pick one of the converted files and adjusted the volume on certain parts of the clip using the rubber band feature and trimmed a small portion of the clip from the front end. I created a folder to store project files and then saved this file with a new name to that folder. What appears in the folder is a 16KB file. I can't find the 231Mb file that I expected to see.

Please, I hope someone can adjust my thinking. I know it's me, but I can figure out what convention VS is using.

Many thanks,
Keith
Lodi,CA

[heinz-oz]

Were you are going wrong is this: The project file does not contain any of your video clips. It's merely a text file telling VS where to find the source file and what to do with it.

You will only get a new video file, reflecting all your changes, when you go to "Share" "Create Video File"

[thad]

I have compiled several AVI clips from a Small Wonder camera. These files have been batch converted to DVD Mpeg using VS. Next I pick one of the converted files and adjusted the volume on certain parts of the clip using the rubber band feature and trimmed a small portion of the clip from the front end.

As an aside, you'd be better off editing the original AVI. When you convert from AVI to Mpeg, you lose quality. Then you edit (adjust volume, trim, etc) and when you save that (Share-Create video file) you'll lose quality again. AVI is the preferred file type for editing, not Mpeg.

Thad

[2Dogs]

As an aside, you'd be better off editing the original AVI. When you convert from AVI to Mpeg, you lose quality. Then you edit (adjust volume, trim, etc) and when you save that (Share-Create video file) you'll lose quality again. AVI is the preferred file type for editing, not Mpeg.

Whilst DV avi is indeed a preferred format for video editing, the camera in question uses the avi container format for files probably compressed using mjpeg.

I'm splitting hairs, though - I would agree that it would be better to use the original source clips in the VS project.

[KeithC]

Dear Helpers,

I'm burning the midnight oil now and have made some progress. Thanks for your suggestions. First, 2Dogs is correct. I am forced to change the format from Small Wonder's Xvid because Ulead persistently crashes when I move any slider. Having converted to them toDVD Mpeg, it works perfectly.

Second, I discovered the Smart Package feature. It seems to work for me with one exception. (B-T-W, I'm have structured folders on my hard drive to organize all the files I'm producing). After I insert a new video file from my "raw" video folder and modify it in some way, I use Smart Package from the menu. It asks me if I want to save the current project (untitled). I click YES and a SAVE AS box appears asking for a file name and a place to put it. I name it and save it to a temp folder. It places a small 16kb Ulead file there and automatically brings up the SMART PACKAGE box and asks for a Folder Path, Folder Name and File Name. I assign such and it saves two files, a 9.5kb Ulead file and a 125mb Movie Clip. Then I delete the active file in Ulead, in preparation to insert another "raw" file, and VB asks if I want to save changes to the VSP File.

Here are my questions:

1) Why does it ask me to save the first file and then follows with the Smart Package saving process? BTW, if I create a folder for the first file and then assign the same folder to the SMART PACKAGE save, VS tells me I can do it because there's already a file in it.

2) What are the two small files for and do I need both of them? According to Heinz-Oz one of them is a text file that tells VS where to fine things.

3) What should I do about the final request to save the VSP file from the previous project? Isn't alread saved?

Any help would be appreciated. I think that I'm on the verge of understanding the rubric, but my head still isn't above water.

Thanks,
Keith

[Black Lab]

I believe the Smart Package feature is used if you are moving a project from one computer to another.

FWIW, I think you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. Just use Save when you are finished.

[KeithC]

Jeff,

You are right about the Smart Package feature, but what I'm attempting to do is organize my files as I progressively modify them from raw to finished product. I like your suggestion to just save and be done with it, but when I do a SAVE AS, in an attempt to organize things, the only file that shows up in the assigned directory is a small 10 to 20KB Ulead file. Where is the modified video file?

Thanks,
Keith

[thad]

Whilst DV avi is indeed a preferred format for video editing, the camera in question uses the avi container format for files probably compressed using mjpeg.

Thanks for adding that, 2Dogs. I'm not familiar with this camera and didn't take the time to look it up to check the video specs.

Thad

[thad]

when I do a SAVE AS, in an attempt to organize things, the only file that shows up in the assigned directory is a small 10 to 20KB Ulead file. Where is the modified video file?

As stated earlier, saving the project only saves the instructions (cut here, add this transition here, etc) for Video Studio. To create your "modified video file," you need to use Share-Create video file. That may take some time depending on how much editing you did.

Thad

[MrA]

Dear Helpers,

I'm burning the midnight oil now and have made some progress.

There is something to be said about THAT statement. Maybe, in the future.. hmmm.. not being spitefull, but, I am guessing you have learned a lot in a very short period of time. Guess my point is to plan ahead, and know what you are dealing with.

Video editing IS complicated, just be prepared.

[Black Lab]

Thad is sort of correct. When you make cuts to a clip, they are only virtual cuts. Your original clip is left as is, uncut. As was stated earlier, the VSP is simply a project file that tells VS where those cuts are, where those transitions are, etc. If you want a new clip that represents your edited clip then you must choose Save Trimmed Video. If you want a new clip that represents your edits plus your effects, then you would choose Share>Create Video File.

[KeithC]

Gentlemen,

Well, I stopped trying to organize the world and kept it simple (as suggested). I just saved projects to the same folder as the "raw" video file and the program behaved well. My anal approach confused both me and VS.

If I were to summarize my learning experience:

VS uses the raw (or source) video file, keeps it native, and creates another file(s) which track its modifications. Use the same folder as the raw file to save the project file. Don't try to understand how it does this, just do it!

How's that for simplicity.

Keith

[Black Lab]

You are on the right track!

[kebrinton]

Hi KeithC.

You use File > Preferences to set the folder where your various edited videos and files and frames-captured-as-stills will go. I too originally wanted each step of a project to have its own folder. But that proved impossibly complicated and impractical -- not "helpful" at all.

So each time I "Create New Video," I give a name to the Project File (the .VSP file) that tells me what I was doing. Otherwise my mind can't keep track. The original file would be uvs071222.AVI and my first project would be named Wedding muted.VSP. Next time round it would be Wedding muted - new soundtrack.VSP. Etc. The file names, AND the time each file was created (visible in Windows Explorer), help me keep track of which came first.

It takes a while to realize that "Save" does not change your original video file at all -- unlike a Word document. If your video rendered the changes every time you "saved," you'd need hours just to make a few small edits.

K

[Ken Berry]

Just to throw a small spanner in the works, I still often use 'Clip > Save Trimmed Video' when I cut bits out of the original video. This actually creates a new, real file (rather than a series of virtual files). And of course you can put it in the timeline in place of the cut original bit which remains virtual and part of the original clip. But of course I then also Save the project that the new trimmed clip is being used in!