Combining two projects

[mwsing]

I have recently been making a film of a holiday and needed to split it into two projects that I edited and created onto two DVDs, because it was too big for one DVD. I now want to create a new film containing parts of each project. Naturally I do not want to lose all of the editing and audio balancing that I did on the two separate projects. What is the simplest way to do this?

[asik1]

Hi.
just import VSP#1 and next to it add VSP#2

[mwsing]

Yes, I did that. But then I wanted to eliminate sections of each file to make a shorter movie. When I did this,andd rendered the final project, I found that the audio balancing had all disappeared and the new movie was unwatchable.

[mwsing]

For clarification, I trimmed the files using Advanced Editing, Multi trim files feature.

[asik1]

So render each and combine

[mwsing]

The problem is that when I rendered and produced a DVD of Project 1 and Project two separately, both DVDs were fine and all of the audio balancing that I had done was good.

I then imported both VSP files into a new project in the Share screen. I then used multitrim on each VSP file to delete the segments that I did not want. I then went ahead and rendered the combined project to produce the new film. The new film's sound was just bad, I am thinking that it is maybe because the original VSP files had already been rendered and were now being rendered again - could this cause the problem with the sound?

[mwsing]

i have been pondering on this further and wonder if this is the problem: when you load in the VSP files you do not get to see the tracks as you do when you are editing, but only the whole file, which you can then trim using the multitrim video, But here's my thought - my music tracks would often cover many clips and segments. When I start a new segment it may be in he middle of a particular item on the music track. Perhaps when this happens it does not recognise the level that the music track is set to at that point. This would certainly account for the whole being out of balance after multitrim. Unfortunately I cannot check this because you cannot see the individual tracks when you are in Share mode.

If this is so, then the only way I can think to overcome this problem is to delete the parts I do not want in the original project file to create a new project file, in which i would be able to see that the balance across tracks is maintained. This would be quite complicated because I would need to ensure that all of the associated voiceover and music tracks are also eliminated. If this worked I could then import these new files into the Share step.

However, this seems messy and complicated. Surely there must be an easier way!? Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

[asik1]

You are not using X9 are you? X7 ? in X9 VSP's can be loaded as single or all tracks.
Why don't you just render each part and than you can tweak them much as needed.

[mwsing]

I have already rendered each part, but need to cut some parts out, so are you saying that I should do that before rendering. this is what I am saying in my last post. I think that there is something obvious that I am missing. How can I tweek them after I have rendered them?

[lata]

Hi mwsing

Please confirm which version of video studio you are using

Using X7 we can add/insert our project files (VSP) to the timeline but will display as a single clip.

Using X9 we can insert the VSP project file to the timeline in its expanded view allowing us to see all clips and indeed edit them.
This allows us to add several VSP files combining our project.

If you are using X7 then you may be best to open your project in the normal way, edit the project again.
Then render to a new video file
Repeat for your second project.

There is a workround that will allow us to open the VSP in its expanded view using X7
We have first to create an Instant Template, then add template to timelines.
Obviously long / larger projects may not be suitable.

[mwsing]

Thanks. I am using X9. When I have imported the VSP files in the Share step, they have each come in as single clip. This is fine for cutting out sections using multitrim video, but does not allow me to look at the individual tracks to see how the audio balance is being upset. How do I import them in expanded view?

Mind you, it occurs to me that this is really no different from just cutting out the clips I do not want in each project separately (each is about 1 hour long) and then combining them in the Share step anyway.

What say you?

[lata]

Hi

I don’t understand why you are in Share when trying to open projects in the timeline.

You seem to indicate that you wished to combine two project files.
We can use CVSX9 to open a project inside another and view all clips

Run Video Studio X9
File Open project choose your first project, that will load to the timelines as a normal project.
Trim and remove all the clips you do not need.

Now insert / import your second VSP to the library.
From there drag and drop to the existing project on the timelines, your second project should open showing all clips, expanded view.
If you D&D + Shift the VSP will open as a single clip, as CVSX7 does.

I would advise that you make copies of the original VSP’s before proceeding.

I would have thought you best to treat each project separately, removing the unwanted clips.
Then combine the two projects.

[mwsing]

Thanks Trevor. I had never worked out that you could import two projects into the same project as you describe. Thank you for enlightening me on that. I agree that it is probably better to edit separately and then combine them. Is it better to combine them as you describe above, or better to do it in the Share step?

[lata]

Hi

How you combine them really depends on the project content, its length and what you intend to make.
If you are to burn a disc then you may want two titles, so rendering each to a separate video file will do that.

If you want a single file then I think I would edit both projects separately, then add both to a new project (Drag from Library) to the timeline creating a composite project, a little more edits may be required.
Then Share to render to a new video file, at least you are only rendering once.

You can try any method as you simply create a copy / copies of your project, File Save As to give it a new name.