Sony Vegas 6 Manual

							CHP. 1INTRODUCTION
37
Miscellaneous commands
Multimedia keyboard shortcuts
Mouse wheel shortcuts
DescriptionKeysDescriptionKeys
Online helpF1Shortcut menuShift+F10
What’s This? helpShift+F1Rebuild audio peaksF5
Change relative keyframe 
spacingAlt+drag 
keyframesMove both region markers or audio CD 
track region markersAlt+drag region 
marker
Make fine fader/slider 
adjustmentsCtrl+drag 
fader/slider
DescriptionKeys
Play/PausePlay/Pause
Play from startShift+Play/Pause
StopStop
Mute trackMute
Mute track and remove other tracks from mute groupShift+Mute
Solo trackCtrl+Mute
Solo track and remove other tracks from solo groupCtrl+Shift+Mute
Change audio track volume or video track compositing level (when focus is on track
list)
Volume Up/Down
Change audio track panning or video track fade-to-color setting (when focus is on
track list)
Shift+Volume Up/Down
Change track focusNext/Prev Track
DescriptionKeys
Zoom in/out on timelineWheel
Vertical scrollCtrl+wheel
Horizontal scrollShift+wheel
Move the cursor in small incrementsCtrl+Shift+wheel
Move cursor one frame at a timeCtrl+Shift+Alt+wheel
Auto-scrollPress mouse wheel and move mouse left or right
Move fader/sliderHover over fader and use wheel
Move fader/slider with fine controlCtrl+hover over fader and use wheel 
						

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INTRODUCTIONCHP. 1
Cursor indications
The cursor changes depending on which functions are available.
Using a control surface
This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software.
A control surface is a hardware device that uses knobs, faders, and buttons to control user interface elements 
that are normally controlled with a mouse. Using a control surface lends a tactile feel to your editing 
sessions. 
Unlike keyboard shortcuts—which determine the shortcut’s behavior based on the portion of the Vegas 
window that has focus—a control surface’s mapped functions work no matter what part of the application 
has focus. 
You can use one Mackie® Control Universal or up to five generic control surfaces with Vegas software. For 
more information about setting up a control surface, please see External Control & Automation tab on page 
346.
CursorIndicatesModifierDescription
StandardnoneThis is the standard arrow cursor that means events can be 
dragged.
TrimnonePosition the cursor over the edge of an event and drag to trim 
the event shorter or longer.
Slip TrimAltPosition the cursor over the edge of an event, press Alt, and drag to 
trim. The media within the event moves with the edge. This is useful 
to preserve the beginning or end of an event while trimming.
StretchCtrlPosition the cursor over the edge of an event, press Ctrl, and 
drag the edge to stretch or compress it. This makes the media 
in the event play slower or faster.
SlipAltPress Alt and drag on the middle of a clip to move the media 
within the event without moving the event itself.
Trim 
AdjacentCtrl+AltPosition the cursor over the boundary between two adjacent 
events, press Ctrl+Alt, and drag. Both events are edge 
trimmed simultaneously.
SlideCtrl+AltPosition the cursor over the middle of an event, press Ctrl+Alt, and 
drag to simultaneously trim both ends.
Slide 
CrossfadeCtrl+AltPosition cursor over a crossfade, press Ctrl+Alt, and drag on a 
crossfade to move it. 
						

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Audio signal flow
Multiple audio busses and assignable effects are only available in the full version of Vegas software. 
						

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INTRODUCTIONCHP. 1
Video signal flow
Track signal flow
Composited track signal flow 
						

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About your rights in Vegas software
Vegas software is licensed to you under the terms of the End User License Agreement. The End User License 
Agreement is first presented to you when you install the software. Please review the End User License 
Agreement carefully as its terms affect your rights with respect to the software. For your reference, a copy of 
the End User License Agreement for Vegas software is located at http://www.sony.com/mediasoftware.
About Your Privacy
Sony Media Software respects your privacy and are committed to protecting personal information. Your use 
of the software is governed by the Software Privacy Policy. A copy of this policy is incorporated into the 
registration process and you are asked to agree to its terms prior to accepting the terms of the End User 
License Agreement. Please review its contents carefully as its terms and conditions affect your rights with 
respect to the information that is collected by the software. For your reference, a copy of the Software 
Privacy Policy is located at http://www.sony.com/mediasoftware.
Proper Use of Software
The Vegas software is not intended, and should not be used for, illegal or infringing purposes, such as the 
illegal copying or sharing of copyrighted materials. Using Vegas software for such purposes is, among other 
things, against United States and international copyright laws and contrary to the terms and conditions of 
the End User License Agreement. Such activity may be punishable by law and may also subject you to the 
breach remedies set forth in the End User License Agreement. 
						

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INTRODUCTIONCHP. 1 
						

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CHP. 2GETTING STARTED
CHAPTER43
Getting Started
Vegas® software is a new way of creating multimedia productions. Whether you are an experienced 
multimedia author or a budding novice, the powerful features and capabilities of Vegas software are 
organized to increase your creativity and productivity. The following chapter summarizes the software’s basic 
functions and operations.
Creating projects
The process of creating a multimedia production can be a complicated undertaking, involving hundreds of 
shots, takes, voiceovers, music beds, audio tracks, and special effects. Organization is a critical issue in this 
process. In the software, organization is handled by a small project file (VEG) that saves information about 
source file locations, edits, cuts, insertion points, transitions, and special effects. This project file is not a 
multimedia file, but is instead used to create (render) the final file when editing is finished.
Because Vegas software edits a project file and not the original source files, you can edit without worrying 
about corrupting your source files. This not only gives you a strong sense of security, but it also gives you the 
freedom to experiment.
Using the New Project wizard
This feature is available only in Vegas Movie Studio and Vegas Movie Studio Platinum software.
Vegas Movie Studio can help you get started quickly and easily with your new project: the New Project 
wizard. This wizard guides you through the process of creating your project file, specifying a location, 
selecting your desired ouput standard (NTSC or PAL), and your output format (if you know it). These 
selections help Vegas Movie Studio to ensure that your project is set up appropriately. 
To start the New Project wizard, choose New from the File menu and follow the steps to set up your project. 
You can click the 
Finish button on any dialog to end the wizard and use the current settings.
You can change project settings at any time while working on a project. From the File menu, choose 
Properties to change any of these settings. 
Starting a new project
1.From the File menu, choose New. 
If you are using the full version of Vegas, the New Project dialog appears. Continue to step 2.
If you are using Vegas Movie Studio, the New Project wizard starts. Follow the steps to set up your project.
Note: The first time you run the software, a new project will 
automatically be started for you.
2 
						

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GETTING STARTEDCHP. 2
2.Enter your project settings on the various tabs. For more 
information, see Working with project properties on page 333.
The Video tab allows you to select the video format and 
other video parameters. 
The Audio tab allows you to set up the basic audio 
settings.
The Ruler tab allows you to choose the way the ruler is 
delineated (beats, seconds, etc.).
The Summary tab allows you to enter any relevant 
information and reminders about your project.
The Audio CD tab allows you to enter information for 
burning audio CDs. This tab is available only in the full 
version of Vegas software.
Tip: The easiest way to set the often-complex properties on 
the 
Video tab is to select a template that matches your media 
(e.g., NTSC DV (720x480, 29.970 fps)).
3.Click OK.
4.From the File menu, choose Save. Enter a name, browse for a location, and click Save to save your project 
(VEG file).
You can change project settings at any time while working on a project. From the File menu, choose 
Properties to change any of these settings. 
Setting video properties based on a media file
You can automatically set your project video properties to match an existing video file.
1.From the File menu, choose Properties.
2.On the Video tab of the Project Properties dialog, click the Match Media Settings button ().
3.Browse for a media file that has the settings you wish you use for the project.
4.Click Open.
The frame size, frame rate, pixel aspect ratio, and field order of this file are automatically detected and the 
project properties are set to match. 
Tip: To save this information for future use, enter a name in 
the 
Te m p l a t e box and click the Save Template button (). If 
your projects typically use these settings, select the 
Start all 
new projects with these settings check box. 
5.Click OK to save the new project properties. 
						

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Saving a project
When you save your work, it is saved in a project file. Project files are not rendered media files.
1.From the File menu, choose Save.
The first time you save a project, the Save As dialog appears. In subsequent saves, the dialog is bypassed, 
your existing file name is retained, and your project is updated to include any implemented changes.
2.Select the drive and folder where you want to store the project.
3.Type the project name in the File Name box.
4.Click Save.
Tip: Select the Copy and trim media with project check box to 
save the project file and copies of the media files to a common 
location. For more information, see Saving a project with 
media on page 306.
Renaming a project (using Save As)
After you have been working with your project, you can use the Save As command in the File menu to save 
a copy of a project with a new name. This is useful for backing up different versions of a project. For more 
information, see Creating a copy of a project (using Save As...) on page 306.
Getting media files
You can add media from a variety of sources to your project. You can add audio and video files, record audio 
into a track, capture video from a video camera, or extract music from your own CD. You can also create 
media such as text overlays, backgrounds, and credit rolls from within the software. For more information, see 
Using generated media on page 247.
Note: To have pulldown fields automatically removed when 
opening 24 fps progressive-scan DV video files in the full 
version of Vegas software, select the 
Allow pulldown removal 
when opening 24p DV
 check box on the General tab of the 
Preferences dialog. To open your 24p DV video files as 
29.97 fps interlaced video (60i), clear this check box.
Note: When you add an ACID loop to the timeline, it is 
automatically stretched to match the project tempo as 
specified on the 
Ruler tab of the Project Properties dialog. If 
you want to ignore tempo information, clear the
 Import audio 
at project tempo
 check box on the Audio tab of the Preferences 
dialog. For more information on project properties, see 
Working with project properties on page 333. For more 
information on preferences, see Setting preferences on page 
336. 
						

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Selecting media 
Vegas software supports a wide range of media file types. You may select any of the media file types listed 
below to add to your project.
FormatExtensionDefinition
Advanced Authoring 
Format.aafMultimedia file format that can be exchanged across products and 
platforms and retains metadata. Available only in the full version 
of Vegas software.
CD Architect.cdpCD Architect (version 4.0 or higher) project file. Available only in 
the full version of Vegas software.
CD Audio.cdaAudio format used on compact discs.
Dialogic VOX ADPCM.voxThe Dialogic audio format used in voice response systems. Available 
only in the full version of Vegas software.
Edit Decision List.txtA text file containing a master video recording’s list of edits and 
corresponding timecode locations. Available only in the full version 
of Vegas software.
GIF.gif256 index color, lossless image and animation format widely used on 
the Internet.
Intervoice.ivcA proprietary audio file format from Intervoice. Available only in 
the full version of Vegas software.
JPEG.jpgTrue color, lossy Internet image format.
Macintosh® Audio 
Interchange File Format 
File.aifStandard audio format developed by Apple® and used on Macintosh® 
computers.
MPEG-1 and MPEG-2.mpgMPEGs, files compressed using a lossy audio/video compression 
method, can be used with Vegas software.
MPEG Layer 3.mp3Highly compressed audio file.
Ogg Vorbis.oggA patent-free audio encoding and streaming technology.
Photoshop.psdAdobe® Photoshop® proprietary image format (flattened).
Portable Network Graphic.pngTrue color or indexed color, lossy or lossless Internet image format.
QuickTime™.mov, .qtQuickTime standard audio/video format.
Perfect Clarity Audio®.pcaA proprietary lossless audio compression format from Sony Media 
Software.
Shockwave Flash.swfMultimedia file format developed by Macromedia.
TARGA.tgaTrue color, lossless image format that supports alpha channel 
transparency.
TIFF.tifTagged Image File Format, a common bitmap format. You must have 
QuickTime installed to use TIFF files in Vegas software.
Vegas project file.vegFile used for organizing media within a Vegas project. Available only 
in the full version of Vegas software.
Vegas Movie Studio project 
file.vfFile used for organizing media within a Vegas Movie Studio or Vegas 
Movie Studio Platinum project.
Video for Windows®.aviStandard audio/video format used on Microsoft® Windows®-based 
computers.
Wave 64™.w64Sony Media Software proprietary Wave64 audio file that does not 
have a limited file size (unlike Windows WAV files that are limited to 
~2GB).
Wave (Microsoft®).wavStandard audio format used on Microsoft Windows-based computers.
Wave (Scott Studios).wavStandard audio format used with Scott Studios systems.
Windows Bitmap.bmpStandard graphic format used on Microsoft Windows-based 
computers.
Windows Media® Audio.wmaThe Microsoft audio-only format used to create files for streaming or 
downloading via the Web.
Windows Media Format.wmvThe Microsoft standard used for streaming audio and video media via 
the Web.