Collect source files with Resolve Collect

Collect source files with Resolve Collect

In my work I often need to collect files from different sources or from slow sources to a fast RAID on my DaVinci Resolve machine before I start color grading. Another reason to collect my sources is when I am done with my project and I want to make a backup of just the files in my Media Pool or maybe even a certain Timeline. This is why I wrote Resolve Collect.

Workflow to collect files (before grading)

What you need is a way to get to know which files you’ll need to copy and why not use DaVinci Resolve for that. There are 2 different ways to load the source files you need into the Media Pool. Either you can use an EDL or you can use XML / AAF

EDL

Resolve can find just the files it needs to conform an EDL. So what you need is a CMX3600 EDL and select the root directory where all your source material is located.

Be sure your Conform settings are correct so you get the files you want.

EDL-settings
Right Click and select “Add Folder and SubFolders Based on EDLs into Media Pool”. Select the EDL and if everything works you should see the clips you need in the Media Pool.

AddFolderEDL

To be sure that you have the correct files in you Media Pool you can do a conform with the same EDL and check the timeline.

XML / AAF

Go to the Conform Screen and Right Click in the Timelines Window (upper right). Select “Import > AAF / EDL / XML …” and select your XML or AAF.

Now check the “Automatically import source clips into media pool” and press “OK”

AddXML-AAF

Check the timeline to see if all the correct files where chosen.

Workflow to collect files (as a project Backup)

Conform your project as usual and do your color grading. Once you are finished create a DRP-file.

Create DaVinci Resolve Project (DRP) file

Now that you have all the files you want to copy in our Media Pool it’s time for the next step.

MediaPool

You need to export the Resolve Project

Export1

Select a destination for the file and give it a name.

Export2

You don’t need to select any options,  select “OK”

 

Resolve Collect

Now it’s time to start Resolve Collect. You can download it here.

Resolve Collect must run on the same machine as you created the DRP-file since all the file-paths need to be the same.

Select the Destination where you want your files to be copied.
Load the DRP file you exported from DaVinci Resolve.

The DRP file gets processed and you will see a list of files that are in the Media Pool.

Now select what you want to Collect, either the Media Pool, Master Session or any Timeline.

Resolve Collect will tell you how much space is needed on the destination drive.

Press the “Copy Files” button and  select your sources. The default is set to /Volumes/ which includes all drives, so just press “OK” when it appears. Now the program will start copying the files.

ResolveCollect1.1

Preferences

In the preferences pane there are a few options which you can turn on or off, depending on your needs.

Screen Shot 2013-08-19 at 8.01.07 PM

General
– include Audio in Media Pool
This lets you select if you want to include the Audio-only files in the Media Pool.

– copy to separate directories
This copies the files to a separate Video, Audio, Matte and Offline directory instead of everything in the same root. This way it’s easier to find your Audio, Matte and Offline files.

– check if files exist at destination
This looks at the destination drive and if the file exists it will set the status to “Already Copied” and the amount to copy will tell the real amount it needs to copy.

Screen Shot 2013-08-19 at 8.01.17 PM

Timeline
– include Offline
This includes the Offline (Reference) video clip for the selected timeline.

– include Audio
This includes the Chase Audio Clip for the selected timeline.

– use handles for file-sequences
This lets you add handles (if there are any, or as many frames it can find) to file sequences in the timeline.

Check the copied files – an important step

Once the files are copied you can either start a new project in DaVinci Resolve or use the one you are using. This step is a must especially when you are creating a backup.

use existing project, never do this after the grade

Remove all your source files from the Media Pool and import the new sources created by Resolve Collect. All your timelines will automatically reconnect to the media.

create new project, always use this when doing a backup

Add the new sources created by Resolve Collect to the Media Pool and conform your timeline again. If everything reconnects your backup is complete.


©2013 Nikolai Waldman

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