Magix Vegas Pro 15 Users Manual
Last changes: Friday, August 11, 2017
This docu mentation is protected by copyright law.
All rights, especially the right of duplication, circulation, and translation are reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in form of copies, microfilms or other processes, or transmitted into a language used for
machines, especially data processing machines, without the express written consent of the publisher.
All rights of reproduction are reserved. Errors in and changes to the contents as well as program modifications reserved.
Copyright © MAGIX Software GmbH, 1994 – 2017. All rights reserved.
MAGIX, Vegas and all mentioned MAGIX product names are registered trademarks of MAGIX Software GmbH
PlayStation is a registered trademark and PSP is a trademark of Sony Corporation Entertainment Inc.
HDV and HDV logo are trademarks of Sony Corporation and Victor Company of Japan, Limited (JVC).
"ATRAC," "ATRAC3," "ATRAC3plus," "ATRAC Advanced Lossless," and the ATRAC logo are trademarks of Sony Corporation.
http://www.sony.net/Prod ucts/ATRAC3/
More license information can be foun d online at the Vegas web sites.
MAGIX licensing conditions are included in the installation and also at www.magix.com under EULA.
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Table of Contents 3
Introduction 13
Technical Support 14
About Vegas Pro 14
Interactive Tutorials 14
The Vegas Pro Window 15
Main toolbar 16
Editing Tool 17
Time Display 20
Track List 21
Scrubbing 22
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Timeline 23
Marker Bar 25
The Transport and Editing Toolbar 26
Viewing the status bar 28
Window Docking Area and Floating Window Docks 29
The Explorer Window 29
The Trimmer Window 32
The Master Bus Window 32
The Video Preview Window 33
The Project Media Window 33
The Edit Details Window 34
The Transitions Window 34
The Video FX Window 35
The Media Generators Window 36
The Compositors Window 37
The Plug-In Manager Window 38
The Video Scopes Window 39
The Surround Panner Window 39
The XDCAM Explorer Window 40
The Mixing Console Window 40
The Device Explorer Window 41
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Loudness meters 41
Working with projects 45
Creating a new project 45
Setting project properties 45
Opening a project or media file 54
Creating rotated projects 57
Nesting projects 59
Opening a recent project 60
Saving a project 60
Automatic project saving 60
Saving and renaming a project (Save As) 60
Project references in rendered files 61
Sharing a project online 63
Uploading your movie to YouTube 63
Uploading your movie to Facebook 64
Uploading your movie to Vimeo 65
Uploading your movie to YouTube 65
Importing and exporting projects 66
Importing and exporting AAF files 67
Archiving projects 70
Working with P2 Video 70
Edit Decision Lists 71
Closing a Project 72
Exiting the Vegas Pro Application 72
Adding, managing, and arranging media 74
Using the Project Media window 74
Previewing media files 80
Adding media files to your project 81
Working with high-frame-rate (HFR) clips 86
Adding layered PSD files to the timeline 87
Creating a picture slideshow 87
Importing media from a project file 89
Importing Broadcast Wave Format files 89
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Table of Contents
Importing video from a DVD camcorder 90
Editing video from an XDCAM Station with StreamChase 91
Using the Device Explorer 94
Creating proxy files for high-definition editing 96
Using HitFilm effects 96
Sorting your media with bins 97
Viewing or changing media file properties 99
Inserting audio tracks 104
Inserting video tracks 104
Recording audio 105
Metronome 110
Capturing video 111
Capturing from an SDI card 112
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Capture preferences 115
Capturing HDV clips 119
Converting video to 24p 120
Extracting audio from CDs 120
Editing events on the timeline 122
Adding media files to your project 123
Inserting an empty event 127
Inserting time 127
Creating selections and positioning the cursor 128
Moving events 131
Automatic crossfades 132
Enable snapping 132
Quantize to frames 135
Cutting, copying, and pasting events 136
Deleting events 139
Trimming events 141
Post-edit ripple 141
Splitting events 143
Shuffling events 143
Using the Trimmer 144
Adjusting an event's length 152
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Expanded edit mode 155
Slipping and sliding events 157
Repairing audio/video synchronization offsets 159
Event envelopes 160
Panning and cropping video events 164
Stabilizing video clips 174
Reversing an event 175
Using takes as alternate versions of events 175
Grouping events 177
Using sync links 178
Applying switches to events 179
Audio streams 181
Audio channels 181
Opening events in an audio editor 182
Opening a copy of an event in an audio editor 183
Editing event properties 183
Copying and pasting or selectively pasting event attributes 188
Using the Edit Details Window 188
Removing red eye from still images 189
Undoing and redoing edit operations 190
Rebuild audio peaks 191
Zooming and magnification 191
Multicamera editing 193
Shooting multicamera video 193
Capturing multicamera video 193
Synchronizing video in multicamera projects 194
Creating multicamera events 195
Editing multicamera video 196
Stereoscopic 3D editing 201
Setting up your stereoscopic 3D project 201
Setting up stereoscopic 3D previews 205
Synchronizing stereoscopic 3D events 205
Aligning left- and right-eye views and adjusting depth 208
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Table of Contents
Rendering a stereoscopic 3D project 210
Using markers, regions, and commands 215
Inserting markers 215
Inserting regions 216
Using media markers and regions 217
Inserting command markers 218
Inserting CD track regions 222
Inserting CD index markers 223
The Marker Tool 223
Track editing 224
Inserting audio tracks 224
Inserting video tracks 224
Selecting tracks 224
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Arranging tracks 225
Grouping tracks 226
Duplicating tracks 227
Audio track controls 228
Video track controls 236
Audio bus tracks 241
Video bus track 244
Setting default track properties 248
Render to New Track 249
Using automation 250
Audio track automation 250
Video track automation 254
Automating audio effect parameters 257
Adjusting envelopes 260
Recording track envelope and keyframe automation 264
Animating video events and tracks 268
Panning and cropping video events 268
Editing track motion 278
Keyframe animation 285
Applying effects 290
Adding audio track effects 290
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Adding audio event effects 292
Using bus effects 293
Applying non-real-time event effects 295
Using assignable effects 295
Adding an assignable effects chain 295
Routing tracks to an assignable effects chain 297
Using assignable effects envelopes 298
Removing an assignable effects chain 298
Creating and using effects packages 298
Bypassing all audio effects 299
Editing audio effects 299
Adding video effects 303
Adding transitions 308
Adding generated media to your project 312
Creating text and titles 314
Using the Titles & Text Plug-In 315
Mixing audio 319
Using the Master Bus Window 319
Busses - overview 321
Adding audio busses 322
Assigning tracks to busses 322
Using bus envelopes 324
Routing busses 324
Signal flow diagram 326
Using input busses 326
Adding or deleting input busses 327
Recording using an input bus 327
Using input busses with hardware-based effects 330
Real-time rendering 332
The Mixing Console 335
The Mixing Console Toolbar 335
The Channel List Pane 337
The View Controls Pane 338
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Table of Contents
Channel Strips 339
Using the Mixing Console 341
Adding Track, Assignable FX, and Bus Channels 341
Audio Track Channel Strips 341
Bus Channel Strips 349
Input bus channel strips 354
FX send (assignable effects) channel strips 360
Creating a cue (headphone) mix with the Mixing Console 366
Compositing video 369
Compositing and masks 369
3D compositing 374
Video signal flow diagram 383
Proxy-first workflow 385
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Working with HDV 387
Capturing HDV clips 387
Editing HDV video on the timeline 388
Working with XDCAM video 389
XDCAM EX workflow 389
XDCAM and XDCAM HD workflow 390
Setting up an XDCAM Device 390
Using the XDCAM Explorer Window 391
Importing XDCAM Discs 394
Editing XDCAM Clips on the Timeline 395
Exporting Video to XDCAM Discs 396
Working with RED camera clips 399
Working with AVCHD video 401
S-Log and ACES workflow in Vegas Pro14.0 403
Enabling color management in your Vegas Pro project 409
Specifying the color space for individual shots 410
Specifying the color space in a custom rendering template 411
VEGAS Pro 15 ACES 1.0.3 updates 413
5.1 surround projects 415
Setting up your 5.1 surround project 415
5.1 surround panning and mixing 417
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Audio panning modes 425
Rendering your 5.1 surround project 429
Exporting a Vegas Pro project to DVD Architect 430
Closed Captioning 431
Adding closed captioning to video files 431
Captioning Windows Media files 441
Previewing your project 445
Loop Playback 445
Mute All Audio 445
Mute All Video 445
Using the Video Preview window 445
Split-screen previews 451
Using dynamic RAM previews 453
Using an External Video Monitor 454
External monitor via DVI (Windows Graphics Card) 454
External monitor via IEEE-1394 (FireWire) 455
External monitor via SDI 457
Selectively prerender video 458
Cleaning up prerendered video files 459
Loudness metering and logging 459
Loudness meters 459
Generating a loudness log 462
Monitoring video with scopes 465
The Vectorscope Monitor 465
The Video Waveform Monitor 466
The Histogram Monitor 467
The RGB Parade Monitor 470
Video Scope Settings 470
Timecode synchronization 473
Generate MIDI Timecode 473
Generate MIDI Clock 473
Trigger from MIDI Timecode 474
Burning discs 477
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Table of Contents
Track-at-once (TAO) CD burning 477
Disc-at-once (DAO or Red Book) CD Burning 478
Burning a Blu-ray Disc from the timeline 483
Burning a DVD from the timeline 485
Printing video to tape 487
Printing video to tape from the timeline 487
Printing video to HDV tape 494
Rendering projects (Render As) 497
Rendering Multichannel Audio Files 501
Rendering MPEG Files 503
Rendering Projects for Use in DVD Architect 504
Media File Settings for Blu-ray Disc Projects 506
Custom rendering templates 508
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Using Vegas Pro Connect 511
Setting up Vegas Pro Connect 511
Using Vegas Pro Connect to control playback 512
Using Vegas Pro Connect to review projects on your mobile device 518
Adjusting Vegas Pro Connect settings 521
Troubleshooting Vegas Pro Connect Connections 522
Using hardware controllers 523
Using a control surface 523
Using a Mackie Control 524
Using a Frontier TranzPort 540
Using a PreSonus FaderPort 542
Using a Generic Control Surface 544
Configuring a Generic Control Surface 545
Using a joystick for panning, adjusting controls, and color correction 547
Using a multimedia controller 549
Using Scripting 553
Customizing the Vegas Pro interface 557
Customizing the toolbar 557
Customizing keyboard shortcuts 557
Customizing ASIO port naming 558
Time ruler 561
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Grid spacing 563
Saving and recalling window layouts 563
Vegas Pro preferences 567
Preferences - General Tab 567
Preferences - Video Tab 572
Preferences - Preview Device Tab 574
Preferences - Audio Tab 581
Preferences - Audio Device Tab 585
Advanced Audio Configuration 587
Preferences - MIDI Device Tab 589
Preferences - VST Effects 589
Preferences - Editing Tab 589
Preferences - Display Tab 593
Preferences - CD Settings Tab 594
Preferences - Sync Tab 595
Preferences - External Control & Automation Tab 597
Keyboard shortcuts 601
Glossary 615
Index 633
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Introduction
MAGIX proudly introduces Vegas Pro , a full-featured nonlinear editor (NLE) for video and multitrack digital audio
designed for video postproduction and multichannel audio recording and mixing.
What's new in this version
n A new MAGIX AVC/AAC codec significantly accelerates encoding on machines that utilize Intel® Quick
Sync Video (QSV) technology
n A new MAGIX AVC/AAC codec significantly accelerates encoding on machines equipped with modern
NVIDIA graphics card GPU technology
n The user can now select from the list of attributes of a copied timeline clip event to specify which attributes
will be pasted into a target event
n ACES 1.0 support enable users to work with the expanded color spaces and dynamic range of modern cam
eras.
n More efficient handling of AVC files on the timeline through Intel QSV technology
n Picture-in-picture OFX plug-in enables the user to perform size and position adjustments of video at any of
the four effects levels (including track and event) through parameter adjustment controls and direct inter
action with the Video Preview window
n Crop OFX plug-in enables the user to quickly crop out portions of a video at any of the four effects levels
(including track and event) through parameter adjustment controls and direct interaction with the Video Pre
view window
n The user can specify which track header buttons and controls appear on tracks and set these (separate for
audio and video tracks) as project defaults for all new tracks in the current and new projects. Controls that
have been hidden can be accessed through a new "hamburger button" menu
n LUT Filter OFX plug-in enables the user to apply LUTs to their project at any of the four supported FX levels
(event, track, media, and video bus)
n Redesigned timeline clip events now contain headers to hold important information and buttons and can be
customized through the hamburger button/menu system.
n The user can specify which controls appear in the transport area of both the Trimmer Window and the Video
Preview window as project defaults for the current and new projects. Controls that have been hidden can be
accessed through a new "hamburger button" menu
n A simple "one-click" option creates a freeze frame on all selected events touched by the timeline cursor
n Users can specify one of four options for the shading of the VEGAS Pro interface ranging from very bright to
a dark interface
n Users can define the amount (strength) of color they want shown in their buttons
n Modern controls enable logical docking and undocking of windows and maximizing windows within a dock
n A user-friendly and intuitive Render As dialog box makes it easy to understand and specify render options
n The Share Online option now provides direct render-and-upload operations for YouTube, FaceBook, and
Vimeo
n Optimized default user layout to reduce visual clutter
n Non-selected timeline clip events are now the same color as the corresponding track header while selected
events are white. This (while directly opposite previous behavior) reduces visual "clutter" and the harsh
appearance of events, particularly in large projects
n New layout option enables user to switch back to the VEGAS Pro 14 default layout, including revealing all but
tons in the hamburger menu system
n Updated button glyph for the Record and Arm for Record buttons clarifies the function of these buttons
n The default Pan type has been changed to Constant Power which is the most logical and expected type
n Audio notification alerts you when your render is complete for all format types
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Introduction
Technical Support
If you experience problems or have questions while using Vegas Pro, our technical support department is always
ready to help you. Additional support and information can be found at http://www.vegascreativesoftware.com.
For a detailed list of Technical Support options, please visit our web site.
About Vegas Pro
From the Help menu, choose About Vegas Pro to display information about the application, such as the software
license owner, copyright and system information, program version and serial number, and the Vegas Pro logo.
Before contacting Technical Support, click the Computer tab to display information about your computer.
Interactive Tutorials
Use the Interactive Tutorials Button from the Main Toolbar or , choose Interactive Tutorials from the Help menu
to start an interactive guide that will show you each part of the Vegas Pro interface and teach you how to create
projects.
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Choose a topic from the Interactive Tutorials overview to start a tutorial—you'll be up and running in no time!
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The Vegas Pro Window
The Vegas® Pro window is where you edit your project, and the screen is divided into several areas.
Tips:
n If you prefer to work with the timeline at the bottom of the window and the docking area at the top of
the window, select the Display timeline at bottom of main window check box on the Display tab of the
Preferences dialog. For more information, see "Preferences - Display Tab" on page 593.
n The track list, timeline, and window docking area sections can be sized to your preferences by dragging
the dividers between them or by using F11:
oF11 minimizes and restores the window docking area.
oShift+F11 minimizes and restores the track list.
oCtrl+F11 maximizes and restores the timeline vertically and horizontally (window docking area
and track list will be hidden).
There are times when you don’t need quick access to the all various buttons in the UI. Some buttons you will use all
the time while others only occasionally. Several areas of the UI have been designed so that you can customize which
buttons are displayed by default. Examples of this are the tool bars found in the Video Preview window, the Trimmer
window, and the audio and video Track Headers.
Access to the buttons that are not currently displayed can be achieved via the Hamburger button . The
Hamburger button also gives you access to the Edit Visible Button Set command which enables you to control
which buttons are displayed by default.
Hint: Throughout the manual and help system, feature descriptions are based on visible buttons. To access a
button not currently displayed:
n
Click the Hamburger button
n Click the command in the pop-up menu to perform the action of that button.
To choose which buttons are displayed by default:
n
Click on the Hamburger button and choose Edit Visible Button Set
n Click the check box for any button you want to be displayed by default.
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The Vegas Pro Window
Main toolbar
From the View menu, choose Toolbar to toggle the display of the main toolbar.
The toolbar contains buttons that enable you to select frequently used commands quickly. You can customize it by
adding, removing, or reordering buttons.For more information, see "Customizing the toolbar" on page 557.
Button Name Description
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New Empty
Project
Open Opens an existing project or media file. For more information, see
Save Saves the current project. For more information, see "Saving a
Render As Saves your project in a new format as a single file. For more
Properties Opens the Project Properties dialog box allowing you to make
Cut Deletes and copies the current event selection to the clipboard. For
Copy Copies the current event selection to the clipboard. For more
Paste Pastes the contents of the clipboard at the current cursor position.
Undo Reverses the last action performed. For more information, see
Creates a new blank project using the default settings. For more
information, see "Creating a new project" on page 45.
"Opening a project or media file" on page 54.
project" on page 60.
information, see "Rendering projects (Render As)" on page 497.
changes to the current project. For more information, see "Setting
project properties" on page 45.
more information, see "Cutting, copying, and pasting events" on
page 136.
information, see "Cutting, copying, and pasting events" on page 136.
For more information, see "Cutting, copying, and pasting events" on
page 136.
"Undoing and redoing edit operations" on page 190.
Redo Reverses the action of the Undo command. For more information,
see "Undoing and redoing edit operations" on page 190.
Interactive
Tutorials
What's This
Help
Starts an interactive guide that will show you each part of the Vegas
Pro interface and teach you how to create projects. For more
information, see "Interactive Tutorials" on page 14.
Displays context-sensitive help.
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Editing Tool
Choose Edit > Editing Tool and select a tool from the submenu to change the active tool.
Normal
To use the Normal tool , choose Editing Tool from the Edit menu, and choose Normal from the submenu.
This tool gives you the most flexibility while editing; selection, project navigation, most envelope editing, etc. The
only functions you cannot perform while in normal editing mode are box selection, box magnification, and multiple
envelope point selection.For more information, see "Adjusting envelopes" on page 260.
Selecting events
Click an event to select it. Hold Ctrl while clicking to select multiple events, or hold Shift to select all events between
the first and last event you click.
Moving events
Select events and drag them along the timeline.
Changing an event's length
Drag either edge of an event to change its length. The event edge will snap to grid lines if snapping is on. Hold the
Shift key while dragging to temporarily suspend snapping.For more information, see "Enable snapping" on page 132.
Click the down arrow next to the Normal tool and choose a tool from the menu to select the mode that will be
used for editing events. For more information, see "The Transport and Editing Toolbar" on page 26.
Tool Description
Normal Edit Tool
Use to select, move, and trim the ends of events.
Click an event to select it. Hold Ctrl while clicking to select multiple
events, or hold Shift to select all events between the first and last
event you click.
Select events and drag them along the timeline to move them.
Drag either edge of an event to change its length. The event edge will
snap to grid lines if snapping is on. Hold the Shift key while dragging
to temporarily suspend snapping.For more information, see "Enable
snapping" on page 132.
For more information, see "Creating selections and positioning the
cursor" on page 128,"Moving events" on page 131,"Moving events"
on page 131, or "Adjusting an event's length" on page 152.
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Tool Description
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Shuffle Tool
Slip Tool
Slide Tool
Time
Stretch/Compress Tool
Use to rearrange events on the timeline. For more information, see
"Shuffling events" on page 143.
Right-click and drag an event to a new location on the timeline
and choose Shuffle Events from the shortcut menu to shuffle
events when the Shuffle Tool is not active.
Use to slip an event's media without moving the event on the
timeline. For more information, see "Slipping and sliding events" on
page 157.
Hold Alt while dragging an event to slip events when the Slip
Tool is not active.
Use to move an event on the timeline without moving the underlying
media. For more information, see "Slipping and sliding events" on
page 157.
Hold Ctrl+Alt while dragging an event to slide events when the
Slide Tool is not active.
Use to make events longer or shorter while changing the velocity of
the media to create fast- or slow-motion effects. For more
information, see "Adjusting an event's length" on page 152.
Hold Ctrl while dragging the edge of an event to time
stretch/compress events when the Time Stretch/Compress
Tool is not active.
Split Trim Tool
Use to split an event at the point you click and trim the event in the
direction you drag (eraser mode). For more information, see "Slipping
and sliding events" on page 157.
Hold Ctrl+Alt+Shift and drag to split trim events when the Split
Trim Tool is not active.
Envelope
To use the Envelope tool , choose Edit >Editing Tool > Envelope.
The Envelope tool is designed to manipulate envelopes in events. With the Envelope tool selected, you can add,
delete, select, and move envelope points, but events cannot be moved or edited.For more information, see
"Adjusting envelopes" on page 260.
Selection
To use the Selection tool , choose Edit > Editing Tool > Selection.
The Selection tool is designed to select multiple events across tracks by drawing selection boxes around the events
you want to include. The Selection tool can draw three types of selection boxes:
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Type Description
Free Selection The default behavior of the tool:
n Click to select individual events (hold Shift or Ctrl to select
multiple events).
n Drag to draw a rectangular region that begins where you start
drawing and ends where you release the mouse button. All of
the events that are inside the region will be selected. This
method is good for selecting a group of events that are close
together.
Vertical Can be used to easily select all events that occur within a time range.
The vertical selection box automatically selects all of the tracks
between your first mouse click and where you draw the selection
box; even tracks that are not visible at the current magnification are
selected.
Horizontal Can be used to easily select all events on a single or multiple adjacent
tracks. The horizontal selection box automatically selects all events
on a track that is touched by the selection box; even events that are
not visible at the current magnification are selected.
To change the type of selection box you are using, right-click the mouse while holding down the left mouse button.
Clicking the right mouse button will toggle through the three types of selection boxes.
Zoom
To use the Zoom tool , choose Edit > Editing Tool > Zoom. You can use the zoom tool to change the
magnification of the Vegas Pro project.
Click the Zoom button in the corner of the timeline to temporarily change the cursor into the Zoom tool. Select
an area of the timeline that you want to magnify, and the cursor will revert to the previously active tool.
Before zooming, you can maximize the timeline by using the following shortcuts:
n Press F11 to maximize the timeline vertically (Window Docking area will be hidden).
n Press Ctrl+F11 to maximize the timeline vertically and horizontally (Window Docking area and Track List will
be hidden).
n Press Shift+F11 to maximize the timeline horizontally (Track List will be hidden).
Drag the mouse over the area you want to magnify. A dotted rectangle is drawn around the area, and the area is
magnified when the mouse button is released.
While holding the left mouse button, click the right mouse button to toggle through the three magnification modes:
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Item Description
Free Zoom The default behavior of the Zoom tool. Use this mode to zoom into a
section of your Vegas Pro project horizontally and vertically at the
same time.
Time Zoom Use this mode to zoom horizontally without changing the vertical
magnification.
Track Height Zoom Use this mode to zoom vertically without changing the horizontal
magnification.
Clicking anywhere in the project with the Zoom tool will zoom out so that the entire project fits in the timeline,
and as many tracks as possible will be displayed.
Next Tool
Choose Next Tool (or press D) to switch to the next tool in the list. For example, if you're using the Normal tool, Next
Tool selects the Envelope tool.
Previous Tool
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Choose Previous Tool (or press Shift+D) to switch to the next tool in the list. For example, if you're using the
Envelope tool, Previous Tool selects the Normal tool.
Time Display
The Time Display window shows the current cursor position, MTC input, MTC output, or MIDI clock output time.
Right-click the window and choose a command from the submenu to change the display format.
Item Description
Time at Cursor Displays the current cursor position using the current time format.
MIDI Timecode In Displays incoming MIDI timecode. For more information, see
"Trigger from MIDI Timecode" on page 474.
MIDI Timecode Out Displays outgoing MIDI timecode. For more information, see
"Generate MIDI Timecode" on page 473.
MIDI Clock Out Displays outgoing MIDI clock. For more information, see "Generate
MIDI Clock" on page 473.
Time Format Choose Time Format and choose a setting from the submenu to set
the time units used in the Time Display and Time Ruler. For more
information, see "Time ruler" on page 561.
Text Color Choose Custom to specify the color that will be used to display the
text in the window.
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Item Description
Background Color Choose Custom to specify the color that will be used to display the
background of the window.
Changing the Time Display window colors affects only the
current color scheme. You can change the color scheme on the
Display tab of the Preferences dialog.
Track List
The track list displays all of the audio and video tracks in your project and contains the master controls for each track.
A scrub control and playback rate slider is also available below the track list.
For more information, see "Audio track controls" on page 228, "Video track controls" on page 236, and "Scrubbing"
on page 22,
Track Headers
The Track Headers have been designed to be less cluttered and take up less screen realestate. You can use the
Hamburger button , located just above the track number in the track header, to quickly assess buttons that are
not displayed or to select which buttons are displayed by default each time you open the program.
To access a button not currently shown in the track header, click the Hamburger button to open the menu. Select
the command according to the button from the drop down list.
To add a button to the track header, click the Hamburger button to open the button selection menu. Choose Edit
Visible Button Set from the drop down list. Click the check box of the button(s) you want to be shown in the track
header and click OK.
If you want all of the buttons to show on the Track Header, click the Hamburger button to open the button
selection menu, choose Edit Visible Button Set from the drop down list, click the Show All button, and click OK.
Tip:
You can quickly reset the buttons displayed on the Track Header to the factory default by choosing View |
Window Layouts | Default Layout (Alt+D, D).
Note:
This resets the application back to all of the factory default settings, not just the Track Header defaults.
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There are times when you need to free up as much screen/track real-estate as possible. The video and audio Track
Headers have been designed to accommodate that. You can go from full to minimal to very minimal and back again
quickly and easily.
1.
Click the Hamburger button and choose Edit Visible Button Set
2. Click the Hide All button and click OK
3. Do the same for both audio and video tracks. You now see only the faders and pan controls
4. Place the cursor on the vertical border between the track headers and the tracks. The mouse will change its
shape to a line with a double-headed arrow . Click and drag to the left until all you see are the track numbers
and Hamburger button. To return to the default Track Header size drag the border back to the right, or double
click the border.
Note:
You don’t need to hide all the buttons for this to work. As you drag the Track Header border to the left it will
automatically hide the buttons. You can always get to hidden buttons via the Hamburger menu. Doubleclicking the border will take you to and from full Track Header width and just the track color bars.
Scrubbing
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You can use scrubbing to scroll playback of your project at varying speeds.
Choose a setting from the JKL / shuttle speed drop-down list on the Editing tab of the Preferences dialog to control
the scrub speed and range when you scrub with the JKL keys or with a multimedia controller. For more information,
see "Using a multimedia controller" on page 549.
Scrubbing with the playhead
Drag the playhead above the timeline to shuttle forward or backward from the cursor position to find an edit
point.
Tips:
n Hold Alt, click the ruler, and drag to move the cursor to the position you clicked and scrub in the
direction you drag.
n Hold Ctrl while dragging (or drag while holding the right mouse button) to find audio when you're
zoomed out. The cursor moves in larger steps than with a regular drag.
n Hold Ctrl+Alt while dragging to scrub video only.
n Zoom in or out to adjust the scrub sensitivity. For more information, see "Zooming and magnification"
on page 191.
Using the scrub control in the track list
Drag the scrub control to shuttle forward or backward from the cursor position to find an edit point.
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You can drag the Normal Rate indicator below the scrub control (or double-click the label to type a playback rate) to
adjust playback speed when you click the Play or Play from Start button.
Scrubbing with the cursor
1. Hover over the cursor in an area of the timeline that does not contain an event and press Ctrl. The mouse
pointer is displayed as a .
When the Allow Ctrl+drag cursor style scrub over events check box on the General tab of the
Preferences dialog is selected, you can scrub with the mouse even when the cursor is over an event.
2. Drag left or right to scrub playback.
Scrubbing with the keyboard
Press the J, K, or L keys to use the keyboard as a scrub control.
Press and hold K while pressing J or L to emulate a shuttle knob mode. Press K+J to turn the knob to the left or
K+L to turn the knob to the right.
Item Description
J Scrub reverse mode. Press again to accelerate the
playback rate.
K Pause.
L Scrub forward mode. Press again to accelerate the
playback rate.
Timeline
The timeline is the main part of the Vegas Pro window where you will be doing most of your work. The majority of
the window consists of actual track space. This area contains the drawn events on each track.
You can choose Edit > Navigate and choose a command from the submenu to navigate the timeline quickly.
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Time ruler
Displays the time in the format you select. For more information, see "Time ruler" on page 561.
Vertical scroll bar
Drag the scroll box to pan the view of the project up or down.
Double-clicking the vertical scroll bar will zoom the project out so that as many tracks as possible will be
displayed.
Track height control
Click + to increase the height of the tracks, or click - to decrease track height.
You can also click in the space between the + and - buttons and drag vertically for adjusting track height.
Time zoom control
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Click + to zoom in horizontally, or click - to zoom out.
You can also click in the space between the + and - buttons and drag horizontally for adjusting zoom.
Horizontal scroll bar
Drag the scroll box to pan the view of the project left or right. The ends of the scroll bar also function as zoom
controls. You can zoom the project in and out by dragging the edges of the scroll box.
Double-clicking the horizontal scroll bar will zoom the project out so that the entire length of the project will be
displayed.
Zoom tool
Click the Zoom Tool button in the corner of the timeline to temporarily change the cursor into the Zoom tool.
Select an area of the timeline that you want to magnify, and the cursor will revert to the previously active tool.
Editing toolbar
The editing toolbar is displayed below the timeline and provides access to tools you'll use while editing events on the
timeline. For more information, see "The Transport and Editing Toolbar" on page 26.
Length boxes
The length boxes display the start time, end time and length of a selected time range. If there’s no time selection, the
first box shows the current cursor position.
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You can double-click the boxes and type a value to change the start, end or length of the current selection. For more
information, see "Creating selections and positioning the cursor" on page 128.
Marker Bar
The marker bar displays markers that you add to your project. Markers are a handy way to ease navigation in the
timeline. They can be used to indicate sections of projects, or you can use markers as snap points for editing.
For information about inserting markers, see "Inserting markers" on page 215.
A shortcut menu is displayed when you right-click the marker bar:
Item Description
Loop Playback Sets the time selection range to repeat the music when played.
Set Selection to View Sets the loop region to the visible edges of the timeline. If the entire
project is displayed, the loop region is set to the ends of the project.
Set Selection to Project Sets the loop region to the ends of the project.
Select Loop Region Creates a time selection based on the current loop region.
Markers/Regions Choose a command from the submenu to add or delete markers or
regions. For more information, see "Inserting markers" on page 215
and "Inserting regions" on page 216.
Quantize to Frames Forces edits to occur on frame boundaries. For more information, see
"Quantize to frames" on page 135.
Enable Snapping When snapping is enabled, the Snap to Grid and Snap to Markers
commands become available. For more information, see "Enable
snapping" on page 132.
Snap to Grid Select this command to force elements in the timeline to snap to the
grid. The grid is defined in units of time. For more information, see
"Enable snapping" on page 132.
Snap to Markers Select this command to force elements in the timeline to snap to
markers. For more information, see "Enable snapping" on page 132.
Snap to All Events Select this command to force elements in the timeline to snap to the
ends of events on other tracks. For more information, see "Enable
snapping" on page 132.
Grid Spacing Choose a command from the submenu to set the spacing of vertical
grid lines along the timeline.
Selectively Prerender
Video
Clean Up Prerendered
Video
Opens the Prerender Video dialog, where you can create a full-quality
preview of your project as it will appear in its final form. For more
information, see "Selectively prerender video" on page 458.
Removes the temporary files created as a result of using the
Selectively Prerender Video command. For more information, see
"Cleaning up prerendered video files" on page 459.
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The Transport and Editing Toolbar
The Transport and Editing toolbar provides controls for playback, recording, and cursor-positioning buttons and
timeline editing.
During project playback, audio tracks will be mixed to the Master bus unless you are using a custom bus
assignment. Video tracks will be mixed to the Video Preview window.
For more information, see "Assigning tracks to busses" on page 322 and "Using the Video Preview window" on
page 445.
You can choose Edit >Navigate and choose a command from the submenu to navigate the timeline quickly.
Button Name Description
Record Starts recording on all armed tracks. If no tracks are armed, a new
track will be created automatically. For more information, see
"Recording audio" on page 105.
Loop Playback Plays only the events in the loop region in a continuous mode.
Play from Start Starts playback from the beginning of the project regardless of the
current cursor position. When you stop playback, the cursor returns
to its original position.
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Play Starts playback from the cursor position.
Select the Make spacebar and F12 Play/Pause instead of
Play/Stop check box in the General Preferences tab if you want
the F12 and spacebar keyboard shortcuts to toggle between Play
and Pause mode. In this mode, the cursor will maintain its
position.
Pause Pauses playback and leaves the cursor at its current position.
Stop Stops playback or recording and returns the cursor to its starting
position.
Go to Start Moves the cursor to the beginning of the project.
Go to End Moves the cursor to the end of the project.
Previous Frame Moves the cursor to the previous frame.
Click and hold the Previous Frame and Next Frame buttons to
move the cursor multiple frames.
Next Frame Moves the cursor to the next frame.
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Button Name Description
Normal Edit
Tool
Select this button to perform event editing. Click the down arrow
and choose a tool from the menu to select the mode that will be used
for editing events. For more information, see "Editing Tool" on page
17.
n
Normal Edit Tool: Use to trim the ends of events. For
more information, see "Adjusting an event's length" on page
152.
n
Shuffle Tool: Use to rearrange events on the timeline. For
more information, see "Shuffling events" on page 143.
n
Slip Tool: Use to slip an event's media without moving
the event on the timeline. For more information, see "Slipping
and sliding events" on page 157.
n
Slide Tool: Use to move an event on the timeline without
moving the underlying media. For more information, see
"Slipping and sliding events" on page 157.
n
Time Stretch/Compress Tool: Use to make events longer
or shorter while changing the velocity of the media to create
fast- or slow-motion effects. For more information, see
"Adjusting an event's length" on page 152.
n
Split Trim Tool:Use to split an event at the point you click
and trim the event in the direction you drag (eraser mode). For
more information, see "Slipping and sliding events" on page
157.
Envelope Edit
Tool
Selection Edit
Tool
Zoom Edit Tool Magnifies the current project. For more information, see "Editing
Delete Deletes the selected events or tracks. For more information, see
Trim Trims a time selection. For more information, see "Trimming events"
Trim Start Trims the start of the selected event to the cursor. For more
Trim End Trims the end of the selected event to the cursor. For more
Split Click to split an event. For more information, see "Splitting events" on
Select this button when you want to edit multiple envelopes without
moving the events. For more information, see "Editing Tool" on page
17.
Select this button when you want to select multiple events. For more
information, see "Editing Tool" on page 17.
Tool" on page 17.
"Deleting events" on page 139.
on page 141.
information, see "Trimming events" on page 141.
information, see "Trimming events" on page 141.
page 143.
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Button Name Description
Lock Locks an event so that it cannot be moved or edited. For more
information, see "Applying switches to events" on page 179.
Insert Marker Adds a marker at the cursor position. For more information, see
"Inserting markers" on page 215.
Insert Region Adds region tags at each end of the selection. For more information,
see "Inserting regions" on page 216.
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Enable
Snapping
Automatic
Crossfades
Auto Ripple Select this button and choose a mode from the drop-down list to
Lock Envelopes
to Events
Ignore Event
Grouping
Turns on snapping and enables the Snap to Grid and Snap to Markers
commands. For more information, see "Enable snapping" on page
132.
Select this button to automatically create a crossfade when two or
more events overlap. For more information, see "Automatic
crossfades" on page 132.
automatically ripple the contents of the timeline following an edit
after adjusting an event's length, cutting, copying, pasting, or
deleting events. For more information, see "Post-edit ripple" on page
141.
Select this button if you want envelope points to follow an event
when it is moved along the timeline. For more information, see
"Video track automation" on page 254.
Select this button to override event groups without removing the
groups. For more information, see "Grouping events" on page 177.
Viewing the status bar
From the View menu, choose Status Bar to toggle the display of the status bar at the bottom of the Vegas Pro
window.
The status bar displays help text when your mouse is over menu items, shows the available record time in the
selected folder, and will also show progress meters for any actions that take time to complete.
To change the recorded files folder, choose Properties from the File menu and click the Audio tab.For more
information, see "Setting project properties" on page 45.
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Window Docking Area and Floating Window Docks
You can use the window docking area to keep frequently used windows available, but out of the way, while you are
working with a project.
Tips:
n If you want to display the window docking area at the top of the Vegas® Pro window, select the Display
timeline at bottom of main window check box on the Display tab of the Preferences dialog. Clear the
check box to display the docking area at the bottom of the Vegas Pro window.
n If you want to display tabs at the top of docking windows, select the Position tabs at top of docked
windows check box on the Display tab of the Preferences dialog.
You can also create multiple floating docks to organize your Vegas Pro windows. These docks can float over the
Vegas Pro window or — if you have a dual-monitor video card — on a secondary monitor.
n To dock a window, ctrl + drag it by the title bar to the docking area or a floating dock. Drop near the top of the
window to create a tabbed window or a new docking area. Drop at the top of the window to dock the
window at the top. Drop at the bottom of the window to dock the window at the bottom.
n To undock a window, click the and drag the window tab out of the docking area or floating dock.
n To prevent a window from docking when you drag it, do not hold the Ctrl key.
When the Allow floating windows to dock check box on the Display tab of the Preferences dialog is
cleared, windows will not dock unless you hold the Ctrl key. When the check box is selected, you can
prevent a window from docking by holding the Ctrl key.
n To expand a docked window so it fills the docking area, click the Maximize button . Click the restore button
to restore the window to its previous size.
n To remove a window from the docking area or a floating dock, click the Close button .
You can dock several windows in the same area of the screen, and the windows will be layered. Click a window’s tab
to bring it to the top.
The Explorer Window
Choose View >Window >Explorer to toggle the display of the Explorer window.
Like the Project Media window, you can use the Explorer window to view, preview, and add media files to your
project.
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Window Docking Area and Floating Window Docks
Learning more about the Explorer window
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Item Name Description
Back/Forward Use the Back and Forward buttons to navigate the folder history.
Address Bar Displays the path to the current folder.
Tree View Displays all of the available files and folders where you can find
media files.
Contents Pane Displays the folders and media files contained in the active folder.
Up Opens the folder one level above the active folder.
Refresh Refreshes the contents of the active folder.
If you insert a new CD (or other removable media), click to refresh
the Explorer.
Delete Deletes the selected folder or file.
Add to Favorites Adds the selected folder to the Favorites folder in the tree view. The
Favorites folder contains links to folders that you use most often.
Start Preview Plays the selected media file.
Stop Preview Stops the playback of the selected media file.
Auto Preview Automatically preview media files when you click them in the
Explorer window. For more information, see "Previewing media files"
on page 80.
Get Media from the
Web
Opens the Get Media from the Web dialog, where you can download
files to use in your project.
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