Sony Vegas 6 Manual

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Previewing a media file
You may preview files before placing them in your project. The Explorer window has a mini-transport bar 
with 
Play, Stop, and Auto Preview buttons (). When you preview a file, its stream is sent to the Mixer 
window’s preview bus (for audio files) or to the Video Preview window (for video files).
Tip: You can use the same mini-transport bar buttons in the 
Project Media window to preview files in the Project Media 
list.
1.Select a file in the Explorer window.
2.Click the Play button () to listen to the file.
3.Click the Stop button () or select a different file to stop previewing the file.
Tip: To automatically preview selected files, click the Auto 
Preview
 button () on the Explorer window’s transport 
bar.
Using the Project Media window 
Media files, both video and audio, tend to be the 
largest files on your hard drive. It is therefore not 
always easy to move them around and impractical to 
store multiple copies of these files. You can add 
media files to the Project Media window to organize 
them before any editing begins. Once you begin 
working on a project, all files you add to the 
timeline are automatically included in the Project 
Media list. From the 
View menu, choose Project 
Media 
to open this window if it is not already 
visible. 
Using Project Media views
You can control the information that is displayed in the Project Media window by clicking the Views button 
(
) and selecting a view. The purpose of each view is explained below.
ViewDescription
ListDisplays a simple listing of the file name of each file in the Project Media window.
DetailedDisplays all the properties for each file. The information is presented in a table format. You can 
customize the information displayed:
Reorder columns (fields) by dragging the column label to a new position.
Hide a column by dragging the column label off of the Project Media window. To display a hidden 
column, right-click the Project Media window, choose View from the shortcut menu, and choose 
the column name from the submenu.
Sort the files in the Project Media list according to a category by clicking the column label for that 
category.
Use the Comments field to add your own annotations to a file’s entry in the Project Media list. 
Double-click the field to enter text. This information is saved with the project and is not saved 
with the media file itself.
ThumbnailDisplays the first frame of a video file. 
						

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Adding media to the Project Media list
You can add media to the Project Media list without adding it to the timeline by importing the file. For more 
information, see Importing media on page 53.
Adding media to the Project Media list from the Explorer window
1.Navigate to and select a file to add to the Project Media list. You can use  or  to select multiple 
media files. 
2.Right-click the file and choose Add to Project Media list from the shortcut menu. The selected file is added 
to the Project Media window.
Replacing media in the Project Media window
You may replace a file in the Project Media window with a different file. When changing the media file that 
an event contains, every occurrence of the event on the timeline is updated with the new media file 
contents.
1.Right-click a file in the Project Media window.
2.Choose Replace from the shortcut menu.
3.In the Replace Media File dialog, browse for and select the file that you want to replace the current file.
4.Click Open. The selected file replaces the old file in the Project Media list, and any events in the timeline 
containing the old file are updated to contain the new media file.
Capturing video
You can use the Sony Video Capture application installed with Vegas software to capture video clips from 
your DV or HDV video camera or via your Blackmagic Design DeckLink™ card and add them to the Project 
Media window. You can also specify a different third-party capture application for video capture.
HDV video capture is available only in the full version of Vegas software and in Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 
software.
Tip: To specify the video capture application you want to use 
with the full version of Vegas software or in Vegas Movie 
Studio Platinum software, check the 
Use external video 
capture application
 check box on the Video tab of the 
Preferences window and browse for the program’s executable 
(.EXE) file.
To specify the video capture application you want to use with 
Vegas Movie Studio Platinum software, browse for the 
program’s executable using the 
Browse button next to the 
Preferred video capture application box on the Video tab of the 
Preferences window.
1.If you have not already done so, connect your video camera to your video capture card using the cable 
provided with the card.
2.From the File menu, choose Capture Video or click the Capture Video button () in the Project Media 
window. The Capture Video dialog displays.
3.Choose the option you want to use for capturing video:
Use external video capture application - select this option to capture DV or Video for Windows footage 
using the video capture application specified on the Video tab of the Preferences dialog.
Use internal video capture application - select this option to capture HDV or SDI footage using the Vegas 
video capture application.
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Tip: Select the Always use the selected method check box to 
bypass this dialog in the future and always use the method 
specified on the Video tab of the Preferences dialog.
4.Click OK. The specified video capture application starts.
5.Capture your video. For information on capturing video with the Sony Video Capture application, please 
see the Vegas online help. To access help, choose 
Contents and Index from the Help menu.
Once you have captured your video, Video Capture adds the file(s) to the Project Media window. If any 
captured clips go offline, you can recapture the clips using your video capture application. Right-click an 
offline file in the Project Media window and choose 
Recapture from the shortcut menu.
Getting images
You can bring images directly into the software from your scanner, digital camera, or other TWAIN device. 
The images are added to the Project Media list as JPEG image files.
1.Make sure your device (scanner or digital camera) is on and connected to your computer.
2.In the Project Media window, click the Get Photo button (). The software is started for the device.
3.Use the device software to get an image and send it to Vegas 
software. Once the image has been sent, the Scanned Files 
dialog appears.
Click Rename to give the new image a more meaningful 
name.
Click Delete to cancel the process of adding the image.
4.Click Done. The new JPEG file is added to the Project Media 
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GETTING STARTEDCHP. 2
Extracting audio from a CD
You can extract tracks from a CD and add them to the Project Media window as WAV files.
Important: Vegas software is not intended for, 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.
1.Insert the audio CD.
2.In the Project Media window, click the Extract Audio 
from CD 
button (). The Extract Audio from CD 
dialog appears. 
3.From the Action drop-down list, choose the method you 
want to use for extracting the CD audio:
 Read by track - Use this option to choose the tracks 
you want to extract from the CD.
 Read entire disc - Use this option to automatically 
extract all tracks on the disc. The entire CD is 
extracted into one new file in the Project Media 
window.
 Read by range - Use this option to extract audio from 
a specified range of time.
4.If you chose either the Read by track or Read by range 
option, specify the track(s) or range to extract:
 For Read by track, click the track(s) you want to extract in the Tracks to read list. Use the  or  
keys to select more than one track. Each track is extracted into a separate file in the Project Media 
window.
 For Read by range, enter a time in the Range start field and either the Range end or Range length fields. The 
range of audio is extracted into one new file in the Project Media window.
Note: If you want to extract multiple tracks to a single file, 
choose 
Read by track from the Action drop-down list to select 
your tracks, and then choose 
Read by range from the Action 
drop-down list. The appropriate time range for the tracks you 
selected will automatically be inserted and the time range will 
be extracted to a single file.
5.From the Drive drop-down list, choose the drive containing the audio CD from which you want to extract.
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6.From the Speed drop-down list, choose the speed at which you want to extract the audio. If you 
experience any problems extracting audio, you can try decreasing the selected speed, or you can click 
Configure to adjust the Audio extract optimization setting.
Note: To eject the CD at any time prior to beginning the 
extraction process, click the Eject button.
7.Click OK. The Save As dialog appears.
8.Select a name and location for the new WAV file.
9.Click Save to begin extracting the audio.
The track is extracted and a progress meter is displayed to indicate the percent complete. Once extraction is 
complete, the new WAV file appears in the Project Media window.
The option of automatically naming extracted tracks is provided for you. To enable this option, choose 
Preferences from the Options menu, and on the CD Settings tab, select the Autoname extracted tracks check 
box. For more information, see CD Settings tab on page 350.
Adding a still-image sequence
This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software.
If you’ve exported a video clip as a still-image sequence using another application (a 3D-rendering 
application, for example), the sequence can be added to the Project Media window and treated as a single 
media file. Each image in the sequence will be displayed for one frame in the event.
1.Click the Import Media button () in the Project Media 
window. The Import Media dialog appears.
2.Choose the folder where the sequence you want to open 
is stored.
3.Select the first image in the sequence (or the image you 
want to start the event).
4.Select the Open still-image sequence check box.
5.In the Range field, enter the number of the last image you 
want to open. For example, if youd selected 
AnimationOne_00001.tga in step 3, you could enter 120 
in this box to create a new image sequence using 
AnimationOne_00001.tga to 
AnimationOne_00120.tga.
6.Click Open. The still-image sequence is added to the 
Project Media window.
Sorting media with bins
The detailed view of the Project Media window helps you sort your media files using their attributes, but for 
more control, you can create bins. Bins are folders within projects that you can use to organize your media 
files.
Media bins are virtual folders that are saved with your project. They do not affect the way media is saved on 
your computer.
Creating bins
Right-click the parent bin where you want to create a new bin and choose Create New Bin from the shortcut 
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GETTING STARTEDCHP. 2
Adding media to a bin
1.Browse your existing bins to find the media file you want to move. The All Media Folder contains all 
media files in your project.
2.Drag a file from the right-hand pane to a bin.
Searching media bins
1.Right-click in the Project Media window and choose Search Media Bins from the shortcut menu. The 
Search Media Bins dialog is displayed.
2.Use the drop-down lists in the Search Media Bins dialog to set your search conditions and click the Search 
button. The selected bin and all sub-bins will be searched.
3.Click the Search Results icon to view the matching files.
Hint: Right-click the Search Results icon and choose Save as 
Bin
 from the shortcut menu to save the results of your search 
as a new media bin.
Automatically adding recorded files to a media bin
Select a media bin if you want to automatically add your recorded audio to a media bin.
Deleting media from a bin
1.Select a media file.
2.Press  on your keyboard.
3.If the All Media Folder is selected, the file will be removed from your project.
4.If a media bin is selected, the file is removed from the bin, but remains part of your project. The file is still 
available in the 
All Media Folder.
Configuring 24p pulldown removal
This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software.
Right-click a DV AVI file in the Project Media window and choose File Format Properties from the shortcut 
menu to edit file settings from the file format plug-in associated with the media file type.
For 24p NTSC DV AVI files with 2-3 pulldown, you can use this dialog to configure removal of pulldown 
fields.
In most cases, you will not need to edit pulldown removal settings. However, if the settings were not properly 
set in the DV header when your video was captured, you can fine-tune pulldown removal without 
recapturing your video.
1.Right-click an AVI file in the Project Media window and choose File Format Properties from the shortcut 
menu. The AVI/DV Media Properties dialog is displayed.
This command is not available for non-24p NTSC video or for 24p NTSC video using 2-3-3-2 pulldown.
2.Select the Enable 2-3 pulldown removal check box. 
Note: You can clear this check box if you want to override 
pulldown removal for individual files when the 
Enable 
pulldown removal when opening 24p DV
 check box is selected 
on the General tab of the Preferences dialog. 
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3.Choose a setting from the Starting frame timecode offset drop-down list to indicate what timecode numbers 
represent which frame in the video sequence. 
For example, if you have an NTSC DV file with 2-3 pulldown created on a Sony JH3 HDCAM deck, the 
default settings for timecode offset use 0 for the 
Starting frame timecode offset. 
If you have changed the timecode offsets on the deck (or if you have material with pulldown from another 
source) you will have to experiment with the settings to determine the correct offset. 
4.Check for interlacing:
a.In the Project Properties dialog, choose a NTSC DV 24p template from the Te m p l a t e drop-down list.
b.Choose the Best (Full) setting in the Video Preview window to show full frames.
c.Step though the clip and look for interlace lines in moving objects or backgrounds.
d.If you see interlace lines, repeat from step 3 and choose a different offset value.
e.When no interlace lines appear, the offset is set correctly.
Importing media
Importing media allows you to add media to the Project Media list for use in your project without adding it 
to the timeline. Vegas supports the importing of a wide variety of file formats, including AAF and broadcast 
wave, which are discussed separately below.
1.From the File menu, choose Import, and then choose Media from the submenu.
Tip: You can also click the Import Media button () in the 
Project Media window.
The Import dialog displays.
2.Navigate to and select a media file to add to the Project Media list. You can use  or  to select 
multiple files.
Tip: To limit the files displayed in the dialog, choose a file 
type from the 
Files of Type drop-down list or enter *. and an 
extension in the File name box. For example, enter 
*.wav to 
display all wave files in the current folder, or enter 
*guitar*.wav to display all wave files that have the word guitar 
in the file name.
Tip: If you select an image from a still-image sequence, you 
can select the 
Open still-image sequence check box to import 
all images in the sequence as a single entry in the Project 
Media window. In the 
Range box, enter the number of the 
last image you want to open. For example, if youd selected 
AnimationOne_00001.tga in step 2, you could enter 120 in 
this box to create a new Project Media entry using 
AnimationOne_00001.tga to AnimationOne_00120.tga.
This feature is only available in the full version of 
Vegas software.
3.Click Open. The media file is added to the Project Media list.
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Importing AAF files
This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software.
You can use AAF (Advanced Authoring Format) files to exchange projects between applications. For 
example, if your postproduction facility uses a tool other than Vegas software, you could provide your project 
as an AAF file.
If you intend to import an AAF file into your current Vegas project, please note the following usage 
guidelines and plan your project accordingly: 
 Audio and video cuts are preserved.
 All video transitions are imported as crossfades.
 Audio and video effects are ignored. 
 The AAF Video Speed Control effect is preserved and mapped to the Playback rate setting in the 
imported event’s properties.
 If you import an AAF file that has embedded wave or AIFC audio, the files will be extracted to the same 
folder as the AAF file when you import the project.
1.From the File menu, choose Import, and then choose AAF from the submenu. The Import dialog displays.
2.Navigate to and select an AAF file to add to the Project Media list. You can use  or  to select 
multiple files.
3.Click Open. The AAF file is added to your project.
Importing broadcast wave files
This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software.
You can use Broadcast Wave Format (BWF) files to exchange audio between audio editors or broadcasting 
platforms.
Broadcast Wave Format files are similar to standard .wav files, but they contain additional metadata 
including timestamps that tell the software where to add audio on the Vegas timeline.
1.From the File menu, choose Import, and then choose Broadcast Wave from the submenu. The Import 
Broadcast Wave dialog displays.
2.Navigate to and select a WAV file to add to the Project Media list. You can use  or  to select 
multiple files.
3.From the Arrange drop-down list, choose a setting to indicate how you want to arrange audio events on the 
timeline:
4.If you chose Add across tracks in step 3, choose a setting from the Order tracks drop-down list to indicate 
how you want to arrange the tracks in the track list:
SettingDescription
Add across tracksA separate track is created for each BWF file you import.
Add across timeAll selected BWF files are added to a single track.
SettingDescription
By timestampSorts tracks chronologically using the timestamp in each file.
You can display a file’s timestamp at the bottom of the Import Broadcast Wave dialog 
by selecting a file.
Alphabetically by 
filenameSorts tracks alphabetically using the names of the files you import.
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5.Choose a setting from the Positioning drop-down list to indicate where imported audio will be added to the 
timeline.
6.Click Open. The WAV file is added to your project.
Importing video from a DVD camcorder
You can use Vegas software to import video from a finalized Sony® DVD Handycam® camcorder disc.
Note: Before importing video, you’ll need to finalize the 
disc. For information about finalizing a disc, please refer to 
your camcorder’s documentation.
Important: 5.1-channel audio will be downmixed to stereo 
when importing.
Tip: The Sony Handycam USB driver that is included with 
DVD-based camcorders can prevent Vegas from recognizing 
a USB-connected camera. If you use the Add/Remove 
Programs Control Panel to uninstall the “Sony DVD 
Handycam USB driver” component, Vegas will be able 
connect to the camera and import video.
1.From the File menu, choose Import, and then choose DVD Camcorder Disc from the submenu. The Import 
DVD Camcorder Disc dialog is displayed.
2.From the Source drop-down list, choose the disc that contains the video you want to import.
3.The Destination box displays the folder where the video will be imported. Click the Browse button if you 
want to choose a different folder.
4.Click the OK button to start importing video.
After importing is complete, the video from the disc is added to the Project Media window. Each chapter is 
imported as a separate file. You can then add the imported video to your project just like any other media 
file.
SettingDescription
Use ruler timeAdds each imported file to the Vegas timeline at the exact position indicated by its 
timestamp. For example, if you import a BWF file with a timestamp of 00:00:30;00, 
the media would be added to the timeline at the thirty-second mark on the ruler.
Relative to cursorAdds each imported file to the Vegas timeline and offsets the timestamp value by the 
cursor position. For example, if you position the cursor at 00:00:10;00 before 
importing a BWF file with a timestamp of 00:00:30;00, the media would be added to 
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Adding media to the timeline
Media files may be added to your project from the Explorer or Project Media windows by double-clicking 
them or by dragging them. Either method places the media file in an event in its entirety in the timeline. 
Dragging a media file to the timeline
You can create a new track by dragging a media file to a blank area on the timeline and dropping it in place. 
Tracks can contain multiple events, so you can place different events next to each other on a track. 
Note: Video and audio events cannot be placed on the same 
track.
1.Locate a media file in the Explorer or Project Media window.
2.Drag the media file to the timeline. 
An event for the media file appears where you released the mouse.
Dragging multiple media files to the timeline
1.Select multiple media files in the Explorer or Project Media window. Select a range of adjacent media files 
by pressing 
 and clicking the first and last files in the range or select files that are not adjacent by 
pressing 
 and clicking individual files.
2.Right-click and drag the files to the track view (timeline).
3.When you release the mouse, a shortcut menu appears. Select a placement option from the menu.
 Add Across Time
 Add Across Tracks
 Add As Takes
For more information, see Working with takes on page 130.
Video Only and Audio Only allow you to isolate either the video or audio, and add that stream from a 
multimedia file either across tracks, across time, or as takes.
Tip: A left-click drag-and-drop automatically inserts files 
across time. However, you can cycle through placement 
modes by right-clicking (without releasing the left mouse 
button) while performing the drag-and-drop operation.
Shift
Ctrl
You will see one event on the track.
The other events are listed at takes “beneath” the 
the topmost event.