New user: Confused about initial project settings

[djboshh]

Hi, I'm a new user to VideoStudio.

I've previously only ever used Premiere Elements to make my home movies. In Premiere Elements the very first step is to set your project settings, i.e match the project with your source video files resolution, frame rate, region etc. I can't find anything in the help file that explains about this in VideoStudio. I'm a bit worried because in getting this first step wrong in Premiere Elements it would mean never being able to go back and correct it, which is terrible if you realise some way through that you've got things wrong.

In VideoStudio, when i click File>New Project, nothing that lets me set the project's properties appears. So at the time i assumed there must be another way that it is done. The only thing i found was to go to Settings>Project Properties. However, having done that i cant find settings that match my source clips (which are AVCHD 1920x1080p 50fps PAL). The nearest i can find is AVCHD 1920x1080 50i 18mbps. At this point i was about to give up, thinking that VideoStudio would not be able to accommodate my source clips. Then i noticed there's an 'NEW' button in the project properties window. So, the only way i can get the project properties to match my clips is to click on that and create my own (something I'm not too comfortable with as I'm not that clued up with video editing and worry that I'm not getting things 100% correct, or that VideoStudio can or can't handle my chosen settings).

Then i read the help file again and i read a paragraph that says: "The project settings in the Project Properties dialogue box determine the appearance and quality of a project when it is previewed on-screen". Now, am i correct in assuming what the help file might actually be saying is that those project properties are only there to help VideoStudio 'PREVIEW' my project on the screen whilst I'm editing. If so, does it make no difference to the final export, as i would choose the export's properties ONLY at the time of export? Or, have i got that all wrong and actually VideoStudio needs the project properties initially set correctly so they match my source clips that i want to edit with (like Premiere Elements), so that when it comes to exporting my movie everything will be correct?

I feel these issues might well be useful if they were addressed in the help file.

Many thanks for any advice.

[lata]

Hi

Welcome to the forums, setting the project properties to match the video file is the way to go, it helps in using Smart Render, however it is not essential providing you set the display to use 16:9, which is set by default, and more important the frame rate to 25fps or 50P (50i =25fps) that will set the timeline to display all frames.

Video Studio can set the project properties for you, at least for most recognisable formats.

Go to F6 Preference and set Show Messages when inserting First Video Clip.
Start a new project, (only works for the first clip inserted) add one of your video files and you should get a popup window, view the details tab then OK.

Your project properties should match the video file.

Share option gives Same as Project Properties or Same as First Clip, use the latter.

Video Studio cannot provide templates for all video types the list would be enormous so you have the options to create your own.

The render options Bluray or Avchd allows you to create a new template should the default templates not be suitable.

There is also a Movie Profile Manager (Via Settings) that allows you to create a new template, here there is an option to ADD as well as New, the add allows you to select a video file on the hard drive, those properties will be used to create the template, provided VS can read them ok. There are some strange formats available.

[djboshh]

Hi Trevor.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my question in detail. You've given me all the answers I needed

I feel the help file could do with having your advice in it too. I think the designers of these help files sometimes forget that there will be people using the software for the very first time, lol

Thanks again.

Paul

[BrianCee]

Don't forget that in addition to the help files you can download a pdf copy of the user guide from :-

http://product.corel.com/help/VideoStud ... Studio.pdf

[djboshh]

Ok, I'm at home now and having a play with the program again. Setting the project properties and export properties is now a breeze. Coupling that with how fast it renders is just amazing! (& that's not even mentioning the great quality of the exported file i tested)

One other thing i did notice, is if i trim a bit off a clip that's already on the time line, then all clips after that point in time get nicely pulled together to close the gap. However, any text (titles) stay where they are on their track rather than following too. Is there a way around that? I haven't Googled it yet but thought i'd be cheeky and ask here 1st.

I think i'm then good to go to making my complete movie. Can't wait.

[Peem]

On the very left-hand end of the timeline there is a vertical column of little padlocks. Providing you have the top one locked, by clicking on the ones below you can specify which tracks to lock to the top track. This is called ripple editing.

Regards, Peter

[djboshh]

Yep, got the ripple editing working great.

As a new user, I'm still having a play with VideoStudio and getting used to it, and I'm enjoying & loving it so far. Wish I'd discovered it sooner!

I eventually figured out how to fade the audio in the clips in and out including after splitting them on the time line. I also found the sound mixer button too. What a great tool. It makes the audio stuff so easy to see and do when editing. As i use VideoStudio and find all the cool features, I'm finding myself remembering wishing things were something like this when using other software and getting frustrated when they weren't!

I'm a little confused about where to store my individual projects though (all test projects ATM). They all seem to get put into the same default folder. Is it ok to copy and paste them into different individual folders in different locations on my hard drive?

Also, why is it when i start a new project that all the clips i imported for the previous project are still in the listed media in the library? ~Are they not actually bound to a project until used? Do they just stay there until deleted no matter what project is opened?

[Peem]

Lots of questions there and it is not often I offer advice. Although I do not use the program as often as I would like I am usually the seeker of information.
There are lots of how-to videos for video studio on Youtube et cetera and you will probably never become familiar with all the features on the program.

You can also set the audio levels for clips at any point you like through the clip by clicking on one of the five or so icons above the timeline [from memory I think it is a musical note]. This brings up an audio level line below the clip and you can add and move nodes along it to raise and lower the sound.

For storing individual projects my preference is to create a folder for each video in 'my documents' and tell the program to save everything there. File > Save as. That way it gets backed up automatically as 'my documents' are backed up. I also put all my clips into that folder before I start but I am sure other people will have different ways of operating. I would think if you move the folders where existing projects are stored you might have to tell the program to relink to them in the new location. File > relink.

So far as the clips in your library go, you can add extra folders to the library for each project you begin and, with that folder open, your clips will appear there. From memory again you achieve that by clicking on a plus sign above the top left hand corner of the clip library. Someone more knowledgeable may clarify this but my understanding is the clips in the library are only representations of the original clips elsewhere; not the actual clip. The project you save as a VSP file does not contain any clips, only a series of instructions telling the program where to find clips and what to do with them.

I hope this gives you a little more to work with.

Regards, Peter

[lata]

Hi
Just to add to Peters reply

You say” Do they just stay there until deleted no matter what project is opened?”
Quick answer Yes…..

The libraries are not directly associated with any projects, clips are available to use on any project. It has been suggested to Corel that they associate libraries with projects, I guess that wont be implemented just yet.
I use the libraries as a temporary storage not a permanent one as many users do.

Clips/Files used in the library or timeline are simply virtual clips, just thumbnails representing the files on the hard drive, they are linked to the files name and location, change that (rename a file on the hard drive) and you will get a re-link request.
You can delete the clips on the timeline or library, that simply removes the virtual clip, however hold Shift (Library Clips) and Delete and you will also be prompted to delete the files on the hard drive.

Working Folders
From Preferences (F6) General tab, allocate a working folder for each project. I use this folder for all files used in a particular project, other than the library samples that is. It is not essential to allocate a working folder but some editing processes, Edit - Take a Snapshot will auto save the file to the working folder.

When you first save the project as a VSP the save location will default to C:\Users\UserName\Documents\Corel VideoStudio Pro\My Projects I choose my working folder.
The working folder is not automatically associated with a project, allocated manually.
Start a new project, you may wish to create a new working folder. The working folder can be any folder on the hard drive.

To open a project go to File -- Open Project—a quick option to open the last four used projects – File view the list at the bottom.

From the library or timeline ---Want to find a file on the hard drive –right click the clip and Locate on Computer.

Hope that helps

[djboshh]

Thanks for taking the time to answer people.

I feel ready to make my first proper project. I'm loving VideoStudio so much i'm actually tempted to go back and make a few movies again that i made with other software.

I hope the information in this thread can be of use to other beginners too. Perhaps i should rename it to 'advice for beginners'?

Thanks again all.

Paul.

[BrianCee]

The topic title is fine as it is.