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(VIDEO QUESTION) – A simple way to flatten / merge video tracks on to one?
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13 Replies
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First can I ask why you want this option…
Don’t get me wrong, I like it, I just want to understand the purpose…
It’s not there, but I recommend filing a feature request.
https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CHQQFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adobe.com%2Fcfusion%2Fmmform%2Findex.cfm%3Fname%3Dwishform&ei=BqYlUIiAG9SbiQe1loDACQ&usg=AFQjCNFhgYEtcWS7dLIpYCc24PCIBwb1IQ&sig2=cv7iG2oANm6v5iYUwWQcpwIf I can understand the why a bit more I can look into options… If its just to clean it up.
I use the Track select tool and grab a track at a time from the top and pull down since all shots are viewed top-down. To keep everything from losing sync I use the in/out around selection shortcut and the In point on the sequence for the first frame of a selection forces a harder snapping point. 🙂
– JB
Jon Barrie
Adobe Video Solutions Consultant ANZ
Jon’s YouTube Tutorial Page
follow Jon with twitter -
I am with Jon. I have to wonder what the point is. Once you are done with a project, you export the results. Then you back up the project and store it somewhere on an external drive, or wherever. Right?
So, let’s assume that now and then, once in a while, you find yourself going back to old projects. Wouldn’t it be better if it looked the same as when you worked on it the first time?
I am obviously missing something. What is it that am I missing?
Steven
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hello,
I kind of saw the “why do you want to do this” coming.
First reason, while I edit, I begin to stack upward. I am originally a Vegas editor so it’s the way I’ve come to edit.. Eventually the video tracks become so many that I like to “refresh myself” by bringing my achieved cuts to one track. When I come back the next day , I can start building fresh again, on top of Track 1, with my cuts secure on track 1. It helps with piece of mind.
Also, I copy and paste into After Effects. When it’s one track of consecutive edits, it pastes them cleanly from top to bottom.
Thanks
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you can nest.
Chris Tompkins
Video Atlanta LLC -
I know you said you know about nested sequences but could you elaborate as to why not?
I often select segments/bunch of clips from a timeline and just right click, select nest – to quickly make a flattened segment anywhere in my timeline (and only of certain segments/clips). It seems to me that this does exactly what you want… take everything from track 4 up to track 11, between TC 1:00:10:00 – 1:00:21:00, right click/nest then there is one segment/clip only on track on 4. All other edits stay as they are. I’ll name the nested segment/sequence referencing the timecode and throw them in a bin/folder to stay organised. You can easily do this while you work, a little at a time and sometimes, if you really need to you, can copy/paste the original layout back into your working sequence. Granted you won’t see your clips as individuals (with cuts and label colors) without doble clicking the nest but you can set the track to display all frames which can give you a good idea as to the content. -
OK. I get it.
I can think of many problems with the concept of flattening. Premiere Pro would have to be aware of which clips had alpha channels and which did not, and of course it could not flatten titles down into the lower track.
I get now why you want to do it. However, there is no way to do it – except the way you already know. Manually. Tediously. Sorry about that.
Therefore, having been presented with that answer, I can only suggest that you might want to flatten as you work rather than waiting until the end. Lets take the clips on tracks 7 though 10 between about 2:29 and 2:59. I can’t see an excuse for that kind of placement. I get how it happens between 29;00 and 59;00 – it just sort of builds up. But how do you explain clips just hanging out on the upper tracks for no apparent reason. There is no crime in dropping back to track one after building your ramp up. Why only drop down a few tracks? Why not all the way?
My guess is that you can only see just so many tracks without expanding the panel. If you can only see tracks 7 through 10, it is easier to put the clip on 7 than on track one.
So, while I am the last guy to say that there is a right way or a wrong way to set up your panels, I suggest that you get familiar with the hotkeys for switching back and forth between different workspaces.
For example, there are times when my sequence takes up virtually all of one of my monitors. I can easily see quite a few expanded tracks. Certainly many more than you are using in your example if I move the audio down out of the way. I can simply hotkey to the standard editing workspace if need be and then hotkey back to the custom version whenever I want. Simple. Sometimes I want the Effect Controls window almost full screen. Sometimes the Program panel.
I hate to see someone struggle to change their workflow since I am VERY attached to my VERY inefficient methods, but sometimes changes are forced upon us. I remember the change from Premiere to Premiere Pro and all of the threads on this forum about the advantages and disadvantages of single track vs multiple track editing. I swear to you that people complained about having to use more than one track.
Steven
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You’re the reason they got rid of tracks in FCP X!
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this is kind of silly. I just tried the Right-click Nest thing, it’s okay, but not exactly what I want to do. I don’t want to have to double click into a new sequence to make cut adjustments.
So yeah I guess it’s just manually do it while you edit.
Or when you get to the end, jam out to loud music while I spend 15 minutes manually doing it.A flatten option should be available. For alpha tracks, Premiere could pop up and say “track whatever was identified as an alpha track, retain alpha properties yes or no?” and have it flatten down to two tracks or whatever.
Or a way to nest but be able to see the cuts. Sighh oh well, thanks guys 🙂
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I just noticed that Jon Barrie (who must have been feeling particularly silly that day)created a tutorial on the subject.
https://library.creativecow.net/articles/barrie_jon/Premiere-Pro-Multi-Track-Cleanup/video-tutorial
When you watch, you will see what I mean. But it is still a handy tutorial. And besides, who can fault a guy when his child is that cute?
You must have inspired him with your question.
Steven
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Hey Steve,
Yes the video was inspired by this thread 🙂
I haven’t made tutorials in a while and I figured why not bring in a special guest!
Glad you find it useful, I was wondering whether to leave it as an unorthodox tutorial or do a “straight” version.
Cheers JB
Jon Barrie
Adobe Video Solutions Consultant ANZ
Jon’s YouTube Tutorial Page
follow Jon with twitter
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