File menu

Keyboard shortcut

New project

Creates a new Movie Studio project. The start dialog will also open.

Open

With this option you can load a project or a media file. Please note that all media files associated with it must be loaded along with a project.

Movie Studio will search for all used sounds and video files in the folders in which they were located when the move was saved.

Recently opened projects

This feature provides a selection of recently opened projects.

Save project

The current project is saved with the name displayed in the project window. If you have not specified a name for your project yet, a dialog will open for you to do so.

Save project as...

A dialog opens where you can specify the path and a name for saving the project.

Manage project

• Add a new empty movie:

  Use this option to create a new movie for your recordings and imported files. Since a film is normally already opened, you will have to decide whether the movie should be inserted into the existing project or if a new project should be created.

• Merge movies:

  Using this function you can attach a movie to an opened one. This is then attached to the end of the movie and automatically takes on the original movie's settings.

• Remove movie from project:

  With this option you can remove the current movie from the project. However, it is still available on the hard drive and can be loaded again at any time.

• Rename movie:

  You can enter a name for your movie here.

• Import movie file:

  • Import a MAGIX movie file (*.mvd):

    Use this option to load a movie into your disc project. Please note that all media files associated with it must be accessible. Movie Studio will search for all used sounds and video files in the folders in which they were located when the movie was saved.

  • Import an EDL (Edit Decision List):

    Create an edit decision list in Samplitude EDL format and import it into Movie Studio for additional editing. It is important in this case that the folder structure remains unchanged. During importing into Movie Studio, the file locations must match the place where they were when the cut list was created using MAGIX Samplitude/Sequoia.

    • If an empty project is opened, the complete EDL file will be imported.
    • If the tracks are muted before importing the EDL file, then they will not be removed.
    • If there are already objects in the project, then you will be asked the files should imported into the project or if a new project should be created for them.

• Export movie file:

  • Export a MAGIX movie file (*.mvd)

    A dialog will open to enter a file name for the movie to be exported. The movie may then be imported into other projects again.

    TIP In the movie file (*.mvd) all information about the used media files, cuts, effects, and titles are saved, but not the picture and sound material itself. This is always contained in the recorded or imported media files, which remains unchanged during editing with Movie Studio. In order to save a movie in its own folder, e.g. for use on another PC, use the function Copy film and media to folder under "File > Backups".

  • Export an EDL (Edit Decision List):

    Create EDL files for additional editing in other programs, e.g. MAGIX Samplitude or Sequoia.

    Use the check boxes to select whether video and/or audio should be exported. As required, a selection may be made whether individual tracks should be rendered or referenced as original files via EDL. Video rendering takes place in the DV-AVI format, and audio rendering as WAV stereo. For Surround projects, 6 mono files will be rendered.

    An export directory can be defined within the selection dialog. The EDL file and the rendered files will be stored there as required.

    Check boxes may be used to select whether the EDL file should be loaded directly into Sequoia (if present). The program will then be either started or the file will be directly opened within the running application automatically. The user can define the Sequoia path in the input mask.

Export movie

This provides all export formats supported by Movie Studio that aren't covered by burning.

For more information, see the section Export movie.

Record audio/images/video

A selection window for the Recording will open to choose the desired recording type. This may also be accessed via the "Audio or video recording" button in the transport controls.

Import Audio CD track(s)

A CD track may be imported via drag and drop from the Media Pool just like a normal file. If this convenient method fails for some reason, then this menu command may be accessed via the CD manager to insert tracks from audio CDs directly into the project. More about this is available in the section "Import audio CD".

Export to device

Here, you can transfer your finished video to external devices. Select the target device from the list.

Export to mobile devices:

Most devices require certain format settings (file format, resolution, bit rate, picture repeat rate, etc.) to be able to play a video.

The menu is divided into various device classes to make choosing your device easier. The last three selections are saved as favorites in the top part of the device list if you have more than one device or want to present your movies to your friends.

If your device is listed here, you don't have to worry about the format settings, as the necessary settings of the export dialog are automatically customized to the target device. Simply select your device and click "OK".

Output DV/HDV:

NOTE This feature is available in the Plus/Premium version of Movie Studio.

• For digital output please select "File" > "Output audio/video" and then select Camcorder in the device menu. For DV cameras you can select the device DV camera for HDV camcorder HDV1 or HDV 2 Camcorder.

By clicking on Settings, you can open the respective export settings dialog (DV-AVI export for DV camcorder, MPEG export for HDV camcorder). For most applications you should use the settings defined here. Advanced takes you to the DV export settings.

• Now connect your camera and follow the displayed instructions.

If you want to export a rendered (already edited) movie to DV, there’s no need to render it again. Instead simply activate the “Play own DV file” option and select your DV video from the “My audio video” directory.

TIP Digital cameras that can record in digital via a PC connection are usually more expensive. You may be able to reduce your purchase costs considerably by buying a digital camera that cannot transfer digitally and have the function activated by a camera specialist. You should enquire about this option before making your purchase.

DV export settings

PAL/NTSC: PAL is used in Europe; the United States, Canada, and Japan use NTSC. This option usually does not require changing.

Render edited scenes only: Non-edited original files are simply copied into a completed DV AVI. Normally you have to decompress the DV data, add the set effect calculations and recompress it. If no effect processing is pending these steps may not be necessary. This option can be permanently activated.

Use references to original files: Unprocessed original files are played back directly, effects are rendered in real time. Only use this option for finished films without effects or edits because processing real time effect with DV files in their original resolution uses a lot of processing power. Errors can occur during playback due to the increased strain.

Export after rendering: If you want to render your film but not export it then deactivate this option. You can export your film at a later date by selecting the "Export own DV file" option from the export dialog.

My device is not in the list. What can I do?

User-defined:

If your device does not appear in the list, you can set up the export settings manually. You only have to do this once as these settings can be saved as a preset.

Read the Instruction manual of your mobile device to find out which file format is required. If your device supports multiple formats, you can experiment around with which format gives you the best results.

Specify the file format by opening the target device's menu and selecting "User-defined" > "Video" > "...Format". If you click on "Export", you arrive at the Export dialog of the selected file format where you can set all the advanced settings.

For details on these settings, please consult your device manual. Explanations for the file formats' settings can be found in the Overview of the device classes chapter, for the special settings of the export dialogs see "Export movie" in the File menu chapter.

TIP If the format settings for your device are not accessible, you can try out a different device from the same manufacturer and, using it as a template, carry out customizations accordingly.

TIP If you find working settings, we recommend saving these as a preset for further use.

Batch conversion

This menu item accesses the batch processing function. This quickly and efficiently converts multiple files, movies, or projects into various video formats.

Vimeo

• Upload current movie as video: Once you login to Vimeo, the upload dialog will open. Enter the title, description, and keywords and select whether you want your film to be public or private. "OK" uploads the current film.

• Upload selected media in Media Pool: Once you login to Vimeo, the upload dialog will open. Enter the title, description, and keywords and select whether you want your media to be public or private. "OK" uploads the selected media.

Online

Producer Planet: Producer Planet is the online store for creative artists in the area of multimedia. As well as a wide range of content from MAGIX, such as Soundpools, virtual instruments, sound FX, stock footage, video plug-ins and LUTs, Producer Planet enables audio engineers, beat producers, cutters and ambitious independent filmmakers to access content from both established and up-and-coming manufacturers and producers.

Youtube/Vimeo: This is a direct connection between MAGIX and various online communities.

• Upload current movie as video: Uploads the current film to the selected portal or to the selected community. Enter the data for video into the fields provided, so that the search function for this portal can also find this video.
  Movie Studio partially uses the H.264 format for this, which is a component of the MPEG-4 codec. Since most communities and portals use this format, the movie does not need to be re-rendered on the corresponding server. This avoids loss of quality.
  When HD material is uploaded, a resolution of 720p is used for the HD format.

• Upload selected media in Media Pool: Uploads the media selected in the Media Pool to the corresponding portal or the selective community.

Import media backup: Content (e.g. 3D transitions) which you've bought and downloaded is stored directly in the folder My files\MAGIX Downloads\Backup. If you have downloaded iContent from other MAGIX programs, then you can use the command Import media backup to make them accessible for use in Movie Studio.

Manage login details: In this dialog you can enter and manage your login details (email address and password) for all services accessible from Movie Studio. This way, you don't have to log in every time you use the program.

Backup copy

Files must be saved to be able to be easily retrieved in case of a hard drive crash or a mistake.

For detailed information, see the section about Backup copies.

Load backup project

This option loads an automatically created project backup. This type of automatic backup gets the file extension MV_ (underscore). This option is useful in emergencies, e.g. if you unintentionally saved your changes during editing and wish to return to the previous version of the movie.

Cleaning Wizard

A disc image is created each time you perform the burn process, so the hard drive can quickly fill up if you burn a lot of discs. The clean-up wizard helps delete projects from the hard drive, including all of the media files and disc images used. Use this function to free up disk space for future projects.

IMPORTANT If the files you used in the slideshow have also been used in other slideshows (like trailers, opening music, etc.), then you should make backup copies of these files beforehand.

For detailed information, see the Cleaning Wizard section.

Settings

• Film settings: Opens the Film settings of the currently selected movie.

• Program settings: Opens Program settings.

• Edit keyboard shortcut: This menu entry opens a dialog for editing keyboard shortcuts. You can adjust Movie Studio to suit your needs.

• Language: Change the language used in Movie Studio here. Normally, the language that is used for installation is set as the program language.

• Reset standard program settings: Use this function to reset all Program settings you made in Movie Studio to their original settings.

Close

Exits Movie Studio.