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Looking for ideas on file management
I’m beginning to realize my hard drive is kind of running rampant. I feel like I’m often struggling with when to keep projects and how to manage them, or when to delete them. I also run into the problem of when I’m ready to delete old projects, am I still using the attached media in other projects? Also, I have some projects where new elements are added daily (like a news show), but I still want to archive the old material from previous days, and would like to keep the project from getting massive with all this old material. So I’d love you’re input on how you deal with any of the following:
– Media tagging
– Archiving/Deleting projects
– Managing ongoing projects
– General file structure within your OSIf you have any thoughts, let us know! I’d love to get some discussion going with this.
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2 Replies
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[Tim Stonesifer] ”
1- Media tagging
2- Archiving/Deleting projects
3- Managing ongoing projects
4- General file structure within your OS
“1. Tagging metadata is only possible within applications that support it. The Adobe quite has powerful tools and XMP hooks to and from EXIF data. Media cataloging and database products are usually overkill for one-person operations.
2. I archive to a server using AE’s gather files routine. Simple, reliable.
3. Ongoing projects are local. Archived projects are on the servers. However, your question implies you have never established a file naming convention that helps you intuit what’s what and where it is kept.
4. I use the same paradigm in AE from video editing. I have a OS drive that holds project files. I have a Capture drive that holds raw media. I have a Render drive that holds, umm, rendered media but I rarely use it for AE renders (see following note). I have an Output drive to which I export or move all media that is destined for release. This is rarely the final product so all drafts go to the Output drive, too. this system has its complications, though. For instance, media that is generated by AE for reimportation goes to the Capture drive because it’s really source media. I try to move or copy all assets and resources to the Capture drive even if there is already a copy of the same media from another project, unless, of course, it’s just a HUGE file. I only run into problems when I end up discarding many assets from a project.bogiesan
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Thanks for the thoughts, David. It’s helpful to hear how other people do stuff. I do have some naming conventions, but it’s mostly just folders for each project. The XMP hooks you mention – is that something automatic? I’ve dabbled in Bridge – is that something I should be using more to get stuff out of the XMP hooks you mention?
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