Relink problem: works singly but not batch

maxfrost01 · Post by **maxfrost01** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 4:00 pm

I've been editing video on my laptop during a business trip. Now that I'm back, I've transferred the project file to my desktop and when I open it I get the emssage that some of the original files need to be relinked.

No surprises so far.

What puzzles me is this: Many of the files I need to relink are in the same folder, when I click on relink and go to that folder it only relinks the single file it is trying to find. I'm sure that in the past it would relink ALL missing files from that folder.

I'm working with about 40 still pictures, all from the same folder, which I now have to relink one at a time.

Surely that can't be right?

Anyone else had this problem.
Or even better, anyone else got a solution to this problem??

mitchell65 · Post by **mitchell65** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 5:00 pm

In VS 12 when you relink one file in a directory all the other files in that directory that you have in your project will automatically relink! See page a65 in the manual for VS 12.

Trevor Andrew · Post by **Trevor Andrew** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:22 pm

Hi Max

When you re-link do it on the first instance, if you cancel the re-link and subsequently click a clip, you will get a re-link but it may not re-link all.

Save the project, then open the project again to get a new re-link.

maxfrost01 · Post by **maxfrost01** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:52 pm

John - I know that's what SHOULD happen but it ain't what IS happening

Trevor - I think I'm getting this problem even when it's the first job after opening up VS. But I'll check that out.

Now here's a funny thing for you to explain: I transferred all the still images (jpegs) into a new folder - I was just carrying out some coincidental good housekeeping - but the next time I opened up VS and I was prompted to relink a still, it relinked them all!

In other words creating the new file seemed to fix the problem. Explain that one to me!

Trevor Andrew · Post by **Trevor Andrew** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:47 pm

Hi Max

At least you seem to have made the program react correctly.

You said (I've transferred the project file to my desktop) I assume this to be the VSP, did this also include the images

Daft question I know.
When you transferred the images did they retain their original file names, or was anything added

A note on Re-linking Images

Although VS is looking for a particular file name it will re-link to any file of the same type. (Image Type, jpg or bmp for instance)

Same goes for video,
Mpeg can be linked to Dv-Avi, the only proviso is that the re-link file has to be the same length or longer.

So if you re-link to the wrong file you may wonder what¡¦s happened to your editing.

:

maxfrost01 · Post by **maxfrost01** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 10:00 pm

I have all my files replicated on my laptop so when I return from a trip I (in essence) sync the laptop with the desktop.

Only problem is that the VSP file has been updated on the laptop so when I transfer the VSP file to the desktop it's still trying to find the video files, jpegs etc at the laptop address. Hence I have to relink the files.

This only takes a minute or two PROVIDED it links all files in any one folder. If this doesn't happen it can take me 10 minutes instead of 30 seconds. And that was the problem.

I can't see any reason why creating a new file for the jpegs would fix it! And maybe it was a coincidence.

Strange!

Trevor Andrew · Post by **Trevor Andrew** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:01 pm

Hi Max

A little slow up here in the north.

Identical images/video on each pc, using one VSP. Interesting.

Done something similar to transfer editing details to Brazil, works well, weren¡¦t really concerned about re-links.

Are you saying that you have this problem every time you move the VSP file?
If that¡¦s the case you may have to move the lot, images and vsp to do a full re-link.

A bit late now but will give it a go on the old lap-top.

maxfrost01 · Post by **maxfrost01** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 9:13 am

Hi, Trevor

You've got it - identical everything to begin with - even the VSP file. I start by saving a Smart Package from my Desktop computer onto my Laptop.

Then I travel.

First thing I do is create smart proxy versions of the original video (which is High Def) so that my smaller, less powerful laptop can cope with the editing.

On my return the last job is to copy the VSP file back onto the Desktop and relink the VSP to the original files (still on the Desktop). I guess I could create a new Smart Package from laptop to Desktop but I figure a) this would take time b) I would be creating copies of copies and c) Smart Package creates a new folder. So (in short) I just move the VSP file and relink.

Which is where I got the problem.

Your question - does it happen every time I move the VSP file? I don't know for sure. But the answer could be 'yes'. I need to keep a closer eye on exactly what has been happening next time I get the problem.

At this stage I was just putting the question out there (on the fourm) in the hope that someone would say 'Ah, yes, I had the same thing and the solution is......'. But maybe I'm I'm a first with this one!

Don't worry, the technology will eventually make it all the way up to Leeds. The horse and cart is on the A1 even as I write. (I'm allowed to make fun as a fellow northerner but from the other side of the pennines).

Trevor Andrew · Post by **Trevor Andrew** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 1:16 pm

(I'm allowed to make fun as a fellow northerner but from the other side of the pennines).

Not supprised you moved south.

Trevor Andrew · Post by **Trevor Andrew** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:38 pm

Hi Max

I¡¦ve run a quick test regarding Re-Link.
Transferred a project and a number of images to my laptop.
Did a little editing.
Saved the project giving it a new.
Copied the VSP back to my desktop pc.

Opened and Re-Linked OK.

I am using VS 10 and no Smart Package available, It may be the smart package that¡¦s causing the problem.
When you create a smart package VS creates duplicate files and saves them to one folder, at least that¡¦s how I understand it.
The project from laptop expects all files under the one roof.

Are the files on your desktop pc under a single folder or fragmented across the hard drive.?
And the first file to be relinked, is that in the same folder or separated.

maxfrost01 · Post by **maxfrost01** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 9:10 pm

Hi, Trevor

Your understanding of Smart Package is correct - it creates a new folder that houses every file used in the VSP. It's a neat facility - especially for archiving old materials that are taking up space on your hard drive.

So on my desktop PC the files are in different locations ('Music' or 'Stills' or 'Video Capture') but on the laptop they all sit in one folder.

But when I'm relinking I'm not expecting everything to link back on the first 'hit' but I am expecting all files in the same folder (eg 'Music' or 'Stills') to relink.

I think I need to play with this one some more and see if I can recreate the problem and thereby get more information.

Thanks for staying with the thread but then I guess there isn't much else to do in Yorkshire

Trevor Andrew · Post by **Trevor Andrew** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 3:25 pm

Hi Max

Sorry for delay in replying, didn¡¦t get the usual topic notification.

Just a question about the Smart Package.
When created does it name the files with identical names as the originals or maybe add a prefix

maxfrost01 · Post by **maxfrost01** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 3:58 pm

Hi, Trevor

Looks like a straight copy - I can see no difference whatsover in the file names.