Avoiding re-linking checking

[Auser]

Picture this:

I have a project: project.vsp
I have a file: d:\file.avi


I click on "project.vsp" the program starts and i should just be able to render it.

However

The file ("d:\file.avi") is frequently rerendered. It has the same resolution, and duration, but the content is new.

Every time i click on "project.vsp" I am told that d:\file.avi is missing (even though it isn't) and I have to relink it or skip.


Isn't there some way to just get the program to load the file without bugging me?

It seems if i go to preferences and uncheck the relink setting, the program will instead just skip the file and not load it - which is not desirable..

[Ron P.]

There's something changed with the "avi" file, which is causing VS to not recognize it as being the same. Since there are hundreds of "flavors" of avi, could you please tell us what the properties of this avi file are? Right-click on it in the Library or on the timeline, select properties, and post them. You might compare the properties of earlier versions of this "avi" file with one that is bringing up the relink prompt.

[BrianCee]

I am not sure I understand what you are doing Auser - why is your file being rendered many times, every time you alter that file it has a new date stamp and as far as VideoStudio is concerned it is a different file - even if it has the same name - which is why it keeps saying it does not exist.

When using VS for editing the original file is not altered in any way and should remain on your PC exactly as you captured - if you are doing editing and then rendering out a new .avi file everytime with the same file name then it will be a new and unknown file to VideoStudio.

At the end of each editing section just go 'File >> Save' this will just update your project file without altering your original file - the project file remembers all your edits - you do not need to make a new .avi file. When you re-open the project file it will put the edited video back into the timeline exactly as you last saved it. Only when you have completed all editing should you go to 'Share >> Create Video File' and render out your completed video - but you MUST give it a different title - or more usually a different format, such as mpeg if you are creating DVDs - that way your final video only gets rendered once and your original is always visible to VS

I wouled also strongly suggest you start a regime of giving your project files meaningful names (like the name of the video) when you first create them - or else your going to end up overwriting previous projects if they are all called 'project.vsp' call them holiday2010.vsp or similar then you'll always know what they are

[Auser]

I am not sure I understand what you are doing Auser - why is your file being rendered many times, every time you alter that file it has a new date stamp and as far as VideoStudio is concerned it is a different file - even if it has the same name - which is why it keeps saying it does not exist.

I know what it does. I'm trying to find a way to get it to stop doing that. However if it is only looking at the dates, I suppose I could fake the date on the file.

The file It is being rerendered because it contains new graphical information. But since most of the rest of the material is the same there is no reason to create a new project.

I guess I'm too pro for the pro version.

[BrianCee]

Unless Corel have changed something in the programme it is looking at more than just dates - there used to be some form of internal register as well - for a long time we had to relink ALL our files whenever the clocks were changed for DST - we never did figure out why that was - but at least that has been put right.

I still think the solution to your problem is to not keep rendering the same file - every time you do VS will see it as a different file and will not automatically re-link to it.

If all you want to do is make minor changes to a video and then re-render it why bother with a project file at all - simply import the video file - edit it - and render out the result - it is not compulsory to have a project file, it is only useful if you are going to be editing over a period of time longer than one editing session.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

When you start a project and insert a video file located on your hard drive..
What you see is a virtual clip a thumbnail representing the file on the hard drive.
The project links to this file by name and location, and maybe timecode.

You continue to edit the project, cut the ends, add titles etc, then File Save will save the editing details to a Video Studio Project file VSP. Close Video Studio

When you open the project VSP again, all edits that you previously applied are preserved and you can continue to edit. Saving the project again using the same name. (File Save)
Continuing in this manner till you have completed the editing.

When you finally Share Create Video File, this creates a NEW file of the project saved to the hard drive.
It does not automatically replace the content of the project files.

All files on the hard drive are unchanged they remains in tact.

If however you delete the original file, re-name or move it then Video Studio will request a re-link. Basically it doesn’t know where the file is.

I believe you are now linking to the new video file.

[Ron P.]

Have you thought about using the Replace Clip function ? I'm thinking that you're wanting to use the project file as a template, correct? If so you could create a project file, that has placeholder images, and clips. Then using that project file, just grab a clip from the library, drag it to the clip on the timeline that you want to replace (ie; placeholder), now holding the Control Key, drop it onto that clip.

Taking this one step further, your placeholder clips can have the filters/effects applied to them. When you replace the clip, all those attributes are applied to the new clip. Very neat, and handy feature, that was just made available in VS X3. The Instant Project "Wizard" is designed with this function in mind.

Tutorial on Vimeo for Replacing Clip:
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/8982456[/vimeo]

[Auser]

Have you thought about using the Replace Clip function ? I'm thinking that you're wanting to use the project file as a template, correct?

You could call it a template yes.


Well, it seems to me there are two problems with this; one is I would have to maintain a dummy file (to have a source to replace from), and it would involved more clicking - ie, slowing down the workflow.

If there really isn't a way to stop CVP from doing these unwanted checks, I suppose the least annoying procedure will be to pick a file from the re-link dialog box which pops up when you start the project.

[Auser]

If all you want to do is make minor changes to a video and then re-render it why bother with a project file at all - simply import the video file - edit it - and render out the result - it is not compulsory to have a project file, it is only useful if you are going to be editing over a period of time longer than one editing session.

Because that would slow down the work flow tremendously.

Imagine it was an intro to a talk show, and what needed to be replaced were the graphics naming "tonights guests star" - if one could simply change one input file that would be fast to reuse a project - if everything has to be put in place it increase time used by a great deal.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

Lets assume we have created an intro containing ten images appearing on screen.
Some audio has also been used.
Something on the lines of the instant projects.

We have saved the images as img1, img2, …img10
The audio called “sound1” “sound 2” etc

Everything is saved to a folder called “Movie_1”

The intro project is complete, (intro 1) we wish to re-use the effects but using different images/clips. Close the project.

Create a folder called “Movie_2” adding your new images, they will of course have the same file names, img1, img2, …..

Now re-name “Movie_1” folder to “Movie_1a”

Opening the project will request a re-link, re-link to clips in the folder “Movie_2”

Save the project giving it a new name, creating a new project, everything remains in place.

Re-naming “Movie _1a” back to “Movie_1” will allow the first project to work ok.

Re-name images using Windows Explorer (batch/multi rename)

Unfortunately any Text/Titles would require re-typing.