Sony Vegas 5 Manual

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CHP. 4ADVANCED EDITING TECHNIQUES
CHAPTER89
Advanced Editing 
Te c h n i q u e s
This chapter builds on the techniques that were introduced in the last chapter. Ripple editing, pitch shifting, 
and takes are just three of the more advanced editing topics that are covered in this chapter. 
Snapping events
Vegas® software is preset to snap events into place as you drag them. 
Events can snap to another event’s edges, to the cursor position, or to a 
time selection. Events are allowed to snap to grid lines and markers. As you 
move an event along the timeline, its edge automatically aligns to 
designated snap points. At the highest level, all features can quantize to 
individual frames. 
Turning snapping on and off
You can quickly turn snapping on and off by clicking the Enable Snapping button ( ). You can also 
selectively turn snapping options on and off in the 
Options menu:

Enable Snapping controls all snapping behavior except 
quantizing to frames.

Snap To Grid controls snapping to grid markers. A variety of 
grid measurements are provided. For more information, see 
Changing grid spacing on page 287.

Snap To Markers controls snapping to markers. This command 
applies to markers, regions, command markers, and CD layout 
markers. For more information, see Adding project markers and 
regions on page 78.
Quantizing to frames
The Quantize To Frames command in the Options menu takes snapping one step further. With this feature 
enabled, everything snaps to the starting edge of individual project frames. Quantizing affects how you can 
move events, place markers, make selections, and position the cursor. 
Snap points
All enabled
Track zoomed
in so that one
thumbnail = one frame Quantizing to frames means that
the position of markers, regions, 
events, and the cursor are limited
to the start of an individual video frame.
4 
						

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ADVANCED EDITING TECHNIQUESCHP. 4
Using the event snap offset 
Each event in your project has a snap offset flag that can be moved along the length of the event. The flag is 
the white triangle that is located in the lower-left corner of each event. This flag allows you to designate 
where snapping occurs. This is useful if you need to align the snap with a beat in the event instead of the 
edge.
1.Place the mouse pointer on the snap offset triangle. The pointer changes to a hand icon ( ).
2.Drag the snap offset flag to the new position in the event. As the flag moves, a time display appears. This 
time display indicates where the snap offset flag occurs in time in the event. 
3.Release the mouse to set the snap offset flag.
Snapping to the cursor or a selection
You can snap two clips in the same track end-to-end, but how can you snap two events on separate tracks? 
You can easily snap to specific event boundaries in any track by making a time selection for the event. 
1.Double-click the event you want to snap to. The time selection area on the 
ruler sets to the length of the event.
2.Drag another clip in a different track near the end of the first clip. It snaps 
into position.
In this example, the second event snaps to the edge of the time selection. 
Because events also snap to the cursor, you could accomplish the same task by 
pressing   or   to position the cursor on the edge of 
the first event. Once the cursor is on the event edge, you can snap the second 
event to the cursor.
Snap offset flag
Ctrl+Alt+Ctrl+Alt+ 
						

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Pitch shifting audio events
Pitch shifting while preserving length is only available in the full version of Vegas software.
A pitch shift is a way to raise or lower the pitch of an audio event. The semitone range is -24 to 24. Twelve 
semitones equal one octave, so you may increase or decrease the pitch of an event within a two-octave 
range. Within each semitone is a finer pitch adjustment called cents. There are one hundred cents in one 
semitone.
Editing from the timeline
1.Select an event.
2.Use the = and - keys on your keyboard (not the numeric keypad) to adjust pitch:
If the 
Show active take information in events check box is selected on the General tab of the Preferences dialog, 
the events pitch shift is displayed in the bottom-left corner of the event. If the media has a known root note, 
the new root is displayed in parentheses: 
Key Result
=Raise pitch one semitone.
Ctrl+= Raise pitch one cent.
Shift+=Raise pitch one octave.
Ctr+Shift+=
Reset pitch.
-Lower pitch one semitone.
Ctrl+ -
Lower pitch one cent.
Shift+ -Lower pitch one octave.
Ctr+Shift+ - Reset pitch.
Original event
Event with pitch shift 
of 12 or one octave speeds up
Event with pitch shift
of -12 or one octave slows down
Change length and pitch 
						

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ADVANCED EDITING TECHNIQUESCHP. 4
Editing in the Event Properties dialog
1.Right-click the event and choose Properties from the shortcut menu.
2.On the Audio Event tab, choose a setting from the Method drop-down list to specify how you want to pitch-
shift the event, or choose 
None if you want to preserve the event pitch.
3.If you selected Classic from the Method drop-down list, indicate the new event length and amount of pitch 
shifting you want to apply:
a.Type the desired event length in the New length box.
b.Type the desired pitch shift (in semitones) in the Pitch change box. 
If you want to change the event length without changing pitch, type 0 in the box.
If you want the pitch to be determined by the amount of time stretching, select the 
Lock to stretch box. 
For example, doubling an events length will raise its pitch by one octave.
c.Choose a setting from the Stretch Attributes drop-down list to specify how you want to divide and 
crossfade the file to prevent artifacts. Depending on your source material, you may need to experiment 
with different crossfade types.
4.If you selected ACID from the Method drop-down list, indicate the new event tempo and the amount of 
pitch shifting you want to apply:
a.Type the desired event length in the New tempo box.
b.Type the desired pitch shift (in semitones) in the Pitch change box. 
If you want to change the event length without changing pitch, type 0 in the box.
If you want the pitch to be determined by the new event tempo, select the 
Lock to stretch box. For 
example, doubling an events tempo will raise its pitch by one octave.
5.Click OK. 
						

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93
Time compressing/stretching events
Time compressing/stretching audio while maintaining pitch is only available in the full version of Vegas software.
Time stretching and compressing events is the process of using the same amount of source media to fill a 
shorter or longer event. While this can be done to both video and audio events, the two cases are 
fundamentally different. 
Press   and drag the edge of the event toward the center of the event to compress (shorten) it or drag the 
edge out away from the center to stretch (lengthen) it.
You can see the results of the time compression or stretching by viewing the properties of the event. Right-
click the event and choose 
Properties from the shortcut menu. Time compressing/stretching an audio event 
affects the 
Time stretch/pitch shift settings, while Time compressing/stretching a video event affects the 
Playback rate setting.
Tip: You can time compress/stretch several events at once by 
grouping them first. You can also apply a ripple edit after time 
compressing or stretching events. For more information, see 
Grouping events on page 141 or Applying post-edit ripples on 
page 73.
Time compressing/stretching video
Time stretching video allows you to fill a given duration with a set amount of actual video, sometimes called 
fit-to-fill. For example, if you have a five-second video event and you want this event to fill an eight-second 
slot, press  and drag the edge of the event to eight seconds. The resulting video is in slow motion, but the 
contents (footage) remain the same. If you had used a velocity envelope to slow the video to the same rate, 
the event would also be in slow motion, but its duration would remain unchanged at five seconds. Stretched 
video has a zigzag line between thumbnails. Video can also be compressed (sped up and shortened in length) 
by using this method.
When stretching video events or slowing video down, a set number of frames are extended across a period of 
time. For example, if you take source footage at 30 frames in a second and slow it so that only 15 source 
frames run during that same second, an additional 15 frames must be created to maintain the project’s 30 fps 
frame rate. Simply duplicating frames is the easiest way to do this. A more sophisticated method is to 
resample the frames of an event, allowing Vegas software to interpolate and redraw these intervening frames. 
For more information, see Resample (video only) on page 135 and Resampling video on page 199.
Ctrl
Ctrl 
						

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ADVANCED EDITING TECHNIQUESCHP. 4
Working with takes
A take is a version of a scene or audio recording, as in “Scene 10, Take 7”, which means the seventh time 
that scene number ten has been shot. A number of takes can be included in the same location (event) of the 
project. You can then rapidly switch between these separate takes to see which one fits into the project the 
best. Although this is what takes are designed for, you can actually use any media files you want as a take, 
even completely different sounds or scenes. Since an event is just a container of a specific length and at a 
specific location, the actual content (media file) is easily changed.
Adding takes
You can add multiple media files to the timeline at the same time to a single event as takes. You can also add 
regions within media files as takes. For more information, see Adding regions as takes on page 99.
Adding media files to the timeline as takes
1.
Locate the media files that you want to insert as takes in the Explorer and select them. Select a range by 
pressing   and clicking the first and last file in the range, or select nonadjacent files by pressing  
and clicking the various clips individually.
2.Right-click and drag one of the selected clips in the group to the timeline.
3.From the shortcut menu, choose Add as Takes.
Tip: To add either just the audio or just the video portions of 
files as takes, choose 
Video Only: Add Video as Takes or Audio 
Only: Add Audio as Takes from the shortcut menu.
Adding takes to existing events
You can add media files to existing events as takes.
1.Right-click a media file in the Explorer and drag it to an existing event. 
2.From the shortcut menu, choose Add as Takes.
Selecting takes
When you add an event with multiple takes, a single event is inserted into a track. The length of the event is 
set according to the last clip that was selected. This last clip is set as the active take.
1.Right-click an event with multiple takes. 
2.From the shortcut menu, choose Ta k e, and choose Next Take or Previous Take from the submenu. 
Alternately, choose the name of the take from the list at the bottom of the submenu. 
Tip: Click an event and press   to select the next take or 
 to select the previous take.
ShiftCtrl
T
Shift+T 
						

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Previewing and selecting takes
You can preview the takes for a given event.
1.Select an event containing multiple takes.
2.Right-click to display a shortcut menu or, from the Edit menu, choose Ta k e to display a submenu.
3.Choose Choose Active... from the submenu. The Take Chooser 
dialog appears.
4.Select the take that you want to preview and use the Play () and 
Stop ( ) buttons within the dialog. 
5.To use a take, select it and click OK. The selected take is now the 
active take.
Deleting takes
You can delete individual takes from an event at any time.
1.Right-click an event with multiple takes. 
2.From the shortcut menu, choose Ta k e, and choose Delete Active from the submenu to immediately remove 
the active take. Alternately, choose 
Delete to open a dialog with a list of all of the takes contained in this 
event.
Working with take names
Displaying take names on events
Take names may be displayed on the events in the timeline.
1.From the Options menu, choose Preferences. The Preferences dialog 
appears.
2.On the General tab, select the Show active take information in events 
check box.
3.Click OK. 
Changing take names
Changing the name of a take does not affect the source media file in any way. Typically, you may want to 
change an event’s name after recording multiple takes into a track or event. For more information, see 
Working with multiple recorded takes on page 170.
1.Select the take to be renamed. For more information, see Selecting takes on page 94.
2.Right-click the event to display a shortcut menu.
3.From the shortcut menu, choose Properties. The Properties dialog opens.
4.Type the new name in the Active take name box.
5.Click OK to set the new take name.
Without take name With take name 
						

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ADVANCED EDITING TECHNIQUESCHP. 4
Using the Trimmer window
The Trimmer allows you to work with and edit one media file at a time. The entire file is opened into the 
Trimmer, in contrast to events on the timeline that may only contain a portion of the actual source file. 
The main function of the Trimmer window is to allow you to trim a media file and place portions of it on a 
track. You can also add regions and markers to a file, preview the media file, or open it in an external audio 
editing program.
You can open any number of files in the Trimmer at the same time, selecting the one you currently want to 
work on from the 
Trimmer history drop-down list.
From the 
View menu, choose Tr i m m e r  or press   to display the Trimmer window, if it is not already 
visible. You can dock the Trimmer window in the window docking area or float it over the work area. For 
more information, see Window docking area and floating window docks on page 21.
Opening a file in the Trimmer
1.Right-click an event. A shortcut menu appears.
2.Choose Open in Trimmer.
You can also drag files to the Trimmer from the Explorer or the Media Pool. 
Double-clicking a file to open it in the Trimmer
You can set the software to open a file in the Trimmer when you double-click the file in the Media Pool or 
Explorer windows.
1.From the Options menu, choose Preferences.
2.Click the General tab.
3.Choose Double click on media file loads into Trimmer instead of tracks.
Trimmer 
Media file
Playback
LoopAdd media Cursor MarkerOpen in Clear Trimmer
Save Markers/Regions Remove Current Media From
Sort Trimmer
Loop region or
Selection area
Add media History
Audio Editorhistory
Zoom controls
navigation controls
from cursorup to cursor
Trimmer History
History
Create subclip Select Parent Media
Alt 
+2 
						

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Moving frame-by-frame in the Trimmer window
As you navigate through a video file in the Trimmer, the exact frame that the cursor is over in time is 
displayed as in a thumbnail image under the cursor. When using the left and right arrow keys, this allows you 
to edit with frame accuracy. Make sure 
Animate video frames in Trimmer is selected in the Preferences dialog to 
use this feature. 
Making selections in the Trimmer
After you have opened a media file in the Trimmer, you may select a segment of it and place it in your 
project. Make a time selection to select a segment in the Trimmer in the same way you do in the project 
timeline. For more information, see Selecting a time range on page 61. 
You can make a selection during playback by using the keyboard. Press   or   to mark the start of the 
selection, and press   or   to mark the end. 
If you know the exact timecode of the point where you want to begin and end a time selection, you can enter 
it into the boxes at the lower right corner of the Trimmer window. 
Tip: Press   to recall the last five time selection 
areas in the Trimmer.
Adding selections to the timeline
You can use the Trimmer window to do traditional three-point and two-point editing. These editing 
techniques allow you to add smaller sections of files to the timeline.
Post-edit ripple mode affects how a selection is added to the timeline from the Trimmer. When the 
Auto 
Ripple 
button ( ) is selected, adding a selection from the Trimmer selection affects the position of later 
events on the track. When not in post-edit ripple mode, adding a selection from the Trimmer has no effect 
on the position of other events. For more information, see Editing events on page 63.
I[
O]
Double-click to enter a value.
Selection Selection Selection
Length End Start
Backspace 
						

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ADVANCED EDITING TECHNIQUESCHP. 4
Adding selections at the cursor 
1.
Open a media file in the Trimmer.
2.Make a time selection in the Trimmer. 
3.Select the track in the timeline where the selection will be added.
4.Position the cursor in the timeline at either the start or end point where you want to add the selection.
5.Add the selection to the timeline in one of the following ways:
Click the 
Add Media from Cursor button ( ) or press   to insert the event after the cursor. 
Click the 
Add Media up to Cursor button ( ) or press   to insert the event before the cursor.
Alternately, you can drag the selection from the Trimmer to the 
timeline
Note: Post-edit rippling (if enabled) applies to clips inserted 
from the Trimmer. For more information, see Editing events 
on page 63.
Filling a time selection on the timeline 
You can select a range of time on the project timeline and then fill it with the same length selection from the 
Tr i m m e r .
1.Create a time selection in the timeline where you want to add the event. This sets the duration and 
position of the event that you will create.
2.Open the media file you want to use to fill the time selection in the Trimmer window.
3.Right-click the file in the Trimmer window and choose Sync Track View Selection Time from Cursor or Sync 
Track View Selection Time
 up to Cursor from the shortcut menu. A time selection is created in the file in 
the Trimmer window to match the time selection in the timeline. 
4.Adjust the location of the time selection in the Trimmer as needed by dragging the time selection (the 
area between the yellow triangles) on the Trimmer marker bar.
5.Drag the event from the Trimmer to the timeline and allow it to snap into place within the time 
selection.
Adding selections from a media file with audio and video
You can open a file in the Trimmer that has both audio and video streams (e.g., AVI). When you add a 
selection from this type of file to the timeline, both streams are added:
If you select a video track before adding the selection, the video is added to the selected track and the 
associated audio is added to the track below it. 
If you select an audio track before adding the selection, the audio is added to the selected track and the 
associated video is added to the track above it. 
New tracks are created for the added media if necessary.
A
Shift+A
Drag from the
Trimmer......to a project
track