Any way to prevent dupes in Project file?

I don't have an answer.

But I responded because I too have this issue and am keen for a workaround. I posted a similar question here a few weeks ago and got no response. Hopefully someone knows!

I've been trying to find a good way to articulate Ryan's problem in a feature request because this does get annoying fast.

Basically, when you import an XML, or even a sequence from another Premiere project, it creates new master clips for every clip used in the imported sequence. It does not recognize that you may already have a master clip that you're using in another sequence that is referring to the same media.

So if you want to keep both sequences in your project, you need to keep both master clips. If you delete a master clip from your bin, it will not stay in the sequence(s) that refer to it, it will get cut out, leaving a big steaming crater where it once was. Even if the sequence is not currently open. This is one of the things I loved about FCP7. You could delete every single one of your master clips and your sequence would be totally unaffected. You could even recreate the master clips by dragging them from your sequence to the bin.

So you've got to stash your duplicated clips away somewhere each time you import a sequence. It's not too bad with careful organization, but God help you if you're frequently sharing sequences back and forth with other editors/apps. If you're exchanging the entire project each time, it's going to grow exponentially!

As far as I know, there's no easy solution to this. I try to be careful and import/export only sequences, not entire projects, and take the time to figure out if there are duplicates created that I don't need, and remove them before tossing the duplicates into a bin. This is not always possible or feasible, however.

For longer-term projects, I also make sure to continually create archive versions of my project, taking care to always include the date in my project file and sequence names. That way I can periodically go through the current project file and delete old versions of the cut and the associated outdated clips.

Haven't looked into this problem in CS6. I know they made some improvements to how media is managed in the bins. Maybe this is one of the changes? If not, won't you all join me in submitting a feature request?

Before I submit a feature request, I'm actually waiting to get home and test this stuff out in CS6, which is installed on my home/freelance system, not my work system.

What version of Premiere are you on? Do you know if they've addressed this issue at all in CS6?

I'm kicking myself right now for not having tried deleting clips from my bins in CS6 already. It's one of the first things I tested in a trial of Media Composer 6, which has the slightly more elegant solution of replacing the clips with offline media in the timeline. Nowhere near as good as the way FCP7 handled clip connections, though!

This issue isn't a show-stopper, it just requires vigilance and organization. And getting used to a different method of asset management (if you're coming from FCP). In the FCP system, a master clip in the bin and a clip in the timeline are each dependent on only the link to the source media. You essentially create a new clip every time you cut a master clip into the timeline. In Premiere, your clip in the timeline is dependent on the master clip in the bin, which is linked to the media file. A second-hand link.

It's a subtle difference, and very difficult to articulate. I doubt it will get fixed in the CS6 cycle since it requires a pretty fundamental rethinking of how clips are handled, but I'd love to see it addressed nonetheless!

Mike:

Really rocking summary of the problem. Let's all submit a feature request.

I disagree about the severity of the problem though. This problem becomes so big so fast that it makes true collaborative editing very frustrating. In my office we might have three people on a project, all editing and revising segments and passing them back and forth. On FCP7 this was easy as pie - we'd just cut and paste between project files and use basic versioning best practices. In Premiere, our project files quickly become nightmares and work is often inadvertently deleted or lost.

I would like to see:
- Smart media handling when importing sequences and projects. Premiere should look at the filenames and file location and attempt to relink any duplicate media. If it stumbles, it should ask for help like FCP.
- A media consolidation inspection feature. I'd love to see an option for inspecting your project for duplicate media references. When found, Premiere should automatically consolidate.
- Streamlined sequence exporting. You should be able to export a single sequence.

Cassidy,

"You should be able to export a single sequence."

While I agree....

you are talking about project merging here right?

The entire workflow for this feature set is based on an import mentality...

If you choose to import a Project, can you not choose an individual sequence?

(not meant as a flame....just confirming that I have this right in my head)


Alex

I'm in the same camp. Will definitely do a features request. Here's hoping Adobe is keen to keep the former FCP'ers happy.

I'm in the same boat here and actually just posted the identical problem on the Cow. I don't have a solution right now.....I realized it and the next few months are going to be a major problem for me unless I can figure out a workaround for this issue.

Anyone find anything here?

Terry Hahin

Designer and Editor
terryhahin.com

Johannes, try posting this at the Adobe Forum. You might get a faster response.

http://forums.adobe.com/community/premiere/premierepro_current?view=discuss...

Tom Daigon
PrP / After Effects Editor
http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com





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Any update on this issue?

I'm having the same exact problem.


Thanks!


Jesse