Sony Vegas 5 Manual

							CHP. 4ADVANCED EDITING TECHNIQUES
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Adding and saving regions and markers to a media file
The Trimmer allows you to add markers and regions to a media file in the same way that you add them to 
your project. Media file markers and regions are different from project markers and regions. The difference 
between the two is that project markers and regions affect a project, while media file markers and regions are 
embedded in, and saved with, a media file. For more information, see Adding project markers and regions on page 
78.
The markers and regions you add in the Trimmer are only temporary. You must save them by clicking the 
Save button ( ) in the Trimmer window if you want to use them again after you close the project. After the 
markers and regions are added and saved to the media file, they are available when you open the media file 
in an audio editor program or in the Trimmer.
Note: You cannot save markers to read-only media files. 
Change a file’s properties to make the file writable before 
saving markers.
Automatically saving Trimmer markers and 
regions with media files 
1.
From the Options menu, choose Preferences.
2.On the General tab, select Automatically save 
trimmer markers and regions with media file.
 
Adding regions as takes
Once regions are saved with a media file, either in the Trimmer window or in another application, you can 
add the regions as takes to the timeline from the Explorer window. In the Explorer window, click the arrow 
next to the 
View button and select Region View from the drop-down list. A single media file may contain a 
number of separate regions. You can select these regions individually or as groups and insert them as takes 
into the timeline. This is especially useful when loop-recording numerous takes to a single file. For more 
information, see Working with takes on page 94.
MarkerRegion 
						

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Viewing media markers and regions in events
From the View menu, choose Event Media Markers to toggle the display markers and regions that are saved in 
a media file. These markers are displayed in the timeline in events that refer to the media file.
Media markers and regions cannot be edited within the event. However, when you edit the markers in 
markers and regions in the Trimmer window or in an external audio editor, the event will reflect your 
changes.
Tip: When media markers are displayed, you can use them 
as snap points for positioning the cursor and for edge-
trimming if 
Snap to Markers is selected on the Options 
menu. If a media files frame rate does not match your project 
frame rate, frame quantization will occur after the snap if 
Quantize to Frames is selected on the Options menu. 
Opening a file in an external audio editor from the Trimmer
The Trimmer allows you to open your selected audio editing application (e.g., Sound Forge) to perform 
permanent edits to the media file. After you make the necessary changes and save the file in the audio editor, 
the event is automatically updated. Make sure that the media file’s name and location remain the same. For 
more information, see Using an external audio editing program on page 85.
To open the audio editor from the Trimmer, click the 
Open in Audio Editor button ( ).
Creating a subclip
1.Create a selection in the Trimmer window.
2.Click the Create Subclip button  . The Create Subclip dialog is displayed.
Tip: You can also right-click an event in the timeline and 
choose Create Subclip from the shortcut menu.
3.In the Name box, type the name you want to use to identify the subclip in the Media Pool. For more 
information, see Using the Media Pool on page 41. By default, the file name is used with a subclip number 
appended.
4.Select the Reverse check box if you want the subclip to be played backward when you add it to your 
project.
5.Click OK to create the subclip. You can then create events from subclip via the Media Pool.
Media markers in Trimmer
Media markers in event 
						

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Selecting a subclip in its parent media
1.Right-click a subclip in the Media Pool and choose Open in Trimmer from the shortcut menu.
2.Click the Select Parent Media button   in the Trimmer window. The subclips original media file is 
opened in the Trimmer, and the portion of the media that represents the subclip is selected. 
Using the Edit Details window
The Edit Details window displays a database for all of the media in your project. It shows information about 
how the files are being used and allows you to modify many of those properties. You may sort, add or change 
information, rearrange columns, and edit items in the project.
This window provides an alternate method for working with events, audio CD track list items, command 
markers, markers, and regions after they are placed in your project. 
You can dock the Edit Details window in the window docking area or float it on the workspace. For more 
information, see Window docking area and floating window docks on page 21. 
						

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Viewing the Edit Details window
To view the Edit Details window, choose Edit Details from the View menu or press  . The Show drop-
down list allows you to view categorized project information. You can edit most entries by double-clicking 
them or by right-clicking them to display a shortcut menu.
Audio CD track list
The Audio CD track list category displays information about the track and index markers placed on the CD 
layout bar. This information is used to burn audio CDs. For more information, see Understanding tracks and 
indices on page 303.
Commands
The Commands category displays information about commands that are placed along the project’s timeline. 
This category displays four columns: the command’s position along the timeline, the command type, its 
parameters, and any comments that were entered when the command marker was placed in your project. 
Right-click a command entry to display a shortcut menu. For more information, see Working with command 
markers on page 82.
Alt +4
Use the scroll bar to view other 
Right-click an
entry to display
a shortcut menu,
or double-click
an entry to edit it.
columns in the window. 
						

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Events
The Events category displays information about all of the events in your project. You may sort any of the 
information by clicking a column’s header. The number of columns in the 
Events category requires that you 
use the scroll bar to view them all. 
The following table explains each column in the 
Events category and describes its function.
Markers
The Markers category displays information about markers on the project’s timeline. This category displays 
two columns: the marker’s position on the timeline and the marker’s name. For more information, see Wor king 
with markers on page 79.
Regions
The Regions category displays information about regions on the project’s timeline. This category displays 
four columns: the region’s start position, end position, length, and name. For more information, see Wor ki ng 
with regions on page 80.
Selected Events
The Selected Events category is visually identical to the Events category except that the Edit Details window 
only displays information about events that are selected in your project.
Column Description Edit function
Track Displays the track number where 
the event is located.Move the event to a different location by entering a different track 
number (pg. 48).
StartDisplays when on the timeline the 
event starts playback.Enter a different value to cause the event to begin playback sooner or 
later in the project (pg. 48).
End Displays when on the timeline the 
event ends playback.Enter a different value to cause the event to end playback sooner or 
later in the project (pg. 48).
LengthDisplays the total length of the 
event.Enter a different value to increase or decrease the event’s playback 
time.
Number of Takes Displays the amount of recorded 
takes contained in the event.Cannot be edited (display only).
Active Take NameDisplays the event’s current take 
name.Enter a different name for the current take (pg. 95).
Take Start Displays the offset into the source 
media file when the placed event 
begins playback.Enter a different value to cause the take to playback sooner or later 
from the source media file.
Timecode InDisplays the media file timecode at 
the start of the event.Display only (cannot be edited).
Timecode Out Displays the media file timecode at 
the end of the event.Display only (cannot be edited).
File PathDisplays the path of the event’s 
media file.Enter a new media file reference path for the event to use.
Tape Name Displays the name of the source 
media tape name.Change the tape name here or in the properties dialog for the media 
file (pg. 204).
SelectDisplays whether the event is 
selected in the project.Toggle the event’s selection by clicking the check box. A check mark in 
the box indicates that the event is selected (pg. 60).
Mute Displays whether the event is 
muted.Toggle the event’s mute switch by clicking the check box. A check 
mark in the box indicates that the event is muted (pg. 133).
LoopDisplays whether the event is 
looped for playback.Toggle the event’s loop switch by clicking the check box. A check mark 
in the box indicates that the event is looped for playback (pg. 133).
Lock Displays whether the event is 
locked.Toggle the event’s lock switch by clicking the check box. A check mark 
in the box indicates that the event is locked (pg. 133).
NormalizeDisplays whether the event is 
normalized.Toggle the event’s normalize switch by clicking the check box. A check 
mark in the box indicates that the event is normalized (pg. 134).
Snap  Offset Displays when in the event the snap 
offset is positioned.Enter a different value to change the snap offset position in the event 
(pg. 90). 
						

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Customizing the Edit Details window
You may arrange and delete columns from each category and save the changes to a personal template. One 
template is available from which you may create your own display options.
1.From the Show drop-down list, choose the category that you want to customize.
2.Drag a column’s header to the new position. The cursor changes to a column icon ( ) as you move the 
column. If you want to remove the column from the display, drag the icon off the Edit Details window. 
Release the mouse to drop the column in its new position.
3.The Te m p l a t e drop-down name changes to “Untitled.” Enter a new name in the Te m p l a t e drop-down.
4.Click the Save button ( ) on the Edit Details window to save the custom display.
Tip: You can delete a custom display by selecting it from the 
template drop-down list and clicking the Delete button ( ). 
						

							CHP. 5WORKING WITH TRACKS
CHAPTER105
Working with Tracks
Tracks contain the media events on the timeline of a project. There are two types of tracks in a Vegas® 
project: video and audio. Each type of track has its own features and controls. While tracks can be organized 
and mixed in any order, track hierarchy can be important in determining the final output for video. Because 
tracks are containers for events, effects that are applied to a track apply to every event in that track.
Managing tracks
Once you have added a track to your project, you may perform basic editing tasks on it such as duplicating, 
deleting, and renaming.
Inserting an empty track
Tracks are created for you when you drag events to empty spaces in the timeline. You can also add empty 
(eventless) tracks to a project. You can record into these tracks or use them as placeholders for specific media 
that you will add later. For example, you may want to create an empty track and then record a voiceover 
directly into a project.
1.Right-click in the track view or the track list to display a shortcut menu.
2.Choose Insert Audio Track or Insert Video Track.
You may also add an empty track from the 
Insert menu by choosing Audio Track or Video Track. An empty 
track is added at the bottom of the track list.
5 
						

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Duplicating a track
You can duplicate a track in your project including all of the events contained on it. When you duplicate a 
track, the duplicate is placed directly below the original track. You can duplicate one track or select multiple 
tracks to duplicate.
1.Click the track that you want to duplicate. To select multiple tracks, click each one while pressing   
to select adjacent tracks or   to select nonadjacent tracks.
2.Right-click and choose Duplicate Track from the shortcut menu.
Deleting a track
You can delete a track from your project and all of the events contained on it. You can delete one track or 
select multiple tracks to delete.
1.Select the track that you want to delete. To select multiple tracks, click each one while pressing  to 
select a range of adjacent tracks or   to select discontinuous tracks.
2.From the Edit menu, choose Delete.
Tip: You can also delete a track by selecting it and pressing 
.
Naming or renaming a track
Every track in your project has a scribble strip where you can type a name for the track. The track name may 
be up to 255 characters long. If the scribble strip is not visible, you may need to increase the height or width 
of the track by dragging the track’s edge to reveal it. For more information, see Changing track height on page 
108. 
1.Double-click the scribble strip. Any existing name is highlighted on the 
strip. 
2.Type the new track name.
3.Press   to save the track’s name.
Shift
Ctrl
Shift
Ctrl
Delete
Double-click and type track name
Enter 
						

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Organizing tracks
Vegas software is flexible in how tracks can be organized. You can arrange and resize tracks to fit your 
particular needs.
Reordering tracks
When you create tracks, they are arranged in the order that they were added. It is a simple process to reorder 
tracks to fit your needs. You may reorder one or more tracks at a time.
Note: Track hierarchy can be critical in video compositing. 
For more information, see Compositing on page 214.
1.In the track list, place the mouse pointer on the track that you want to move.
2.Drag the track to the new position in the track list.
Tip: When moving a track, you may want to place the 
mouse pointer on the track number when dragging. This helps 
avoid accidental modifications to other track list controls.
Changing track color
When you add a track, it is automatically assigned a color. This color is easily changed. This feature is useful 
if you want to use color to organize similar tracks. 
1.In the track list, right-click a track to display a shortcut menu.
2.From the shortcut menu, choose Track Display Color, and choose a color from the submenu.
To change the available colors, use the Display Tab in the 
Preferences dialog. 
						

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Changing track height
You can control track height by dragging the bottom edge of a track in the track list. You can also change 
track height by clicking the buttons on the track list. 
You can also use several different keyboard shortcuts to change all track heights at once:
Press   or   to change the height of all tracks in your project at once.
Press   to minimize all tracks. Press the key again to restore the tracks to their previous height.
Press   to make all tracks the default height.
Resizing a track
You can resize a track by dragging its bottom or right border. Place the mouse pointer at the bottom of the 
track. The cursor turns into an up/down arrow ( ). Drag up or down and release the mouse to set the 
desired track size. You can resize the width of the track list in a similar way.
Using the track list
Each track in your project has its own controls, faders, and sliders that are contained in the track list on the 
left side of the track. You can work with these controls to affect the events on the track.
The controls in the track list can function as trim controls or automation controls for track volume, panning, 
assignable effects send, and bus send levels. Adjusting the trim control affects the level of the entire track.
When a track does not use envelopes (or when the track automation mode is set to Off), the trim level is 
added to the track fader. For example, setting the track volume fader to +3 dB and the trim control to -3 dB 
produces a gain of 0 dB.
When a track uses envelopes, the trim level is added to the envelope so your envelope is preserved, but with 
a boost or cut applied. For example, setting the trim control to -3 dB has the same effect as decreasing every 
envelope point by 3 dB.
Action Button Resulting Track height
Minimize/
Restore 
Track Height
Restored Track Height
Maximize/
Restore 
Track Height
Ctrl+Shift +Ctrl+Shift +
`
Ctrl+`
Drag to change track height... ...or to change track list width.