As far as the title of this thread goes… no, you actually can’t (at least that I am aware of).
Importing a project and having two (or more) open at the same time definitely aren’t the same thing. Others have called the difference minor, but I don’t think that’s quite right either.
For instance, I’m creating a promo reel right now (a compilation of shots from many projects). Having to import entire projects (or even just sequences, if I could possibly remember which specific sequence from a project I wanted to import –which is asking a LOT) is a FAR CRY from opening a project without closing the current project, selecting the footage I want, and simply copy/pasting it into the new project.
Way back in the day you used to be able to have multiple Premiere projects open at the same time to do this (it was a setting in the preferences).
I’m kind of assuming it’s too taxing on the CPU or software to do that these days? (though it seems to be an option in FCP, so…)
For this project (the promo reel), there are several feature projects where importing the entire project obviously isn’t an option (tons and tons of footage). Opening the project to go in and make a note of which sequences I want and then importing those specific sequences once I go back into the reel project is no better than continuously opening and closing projects and cutting and pasting.
Being able to have multiple projects (even just two) open at once would be a MASSIVE time saver.
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This is my life, I edit and edit and edit and edit…