File sorting

me_again wrote on 7/10/2024, 4:01 AM

Greetings,

I think I already know the answer to this but I'll ask anyway.

I'm in the middle of an edit using photos and short video clips that were all taken on the same day some years ago by my father. I've just realised that I didn't sort them into "time of taking" using the timestamps before I started (I usually do) and now find they are out of order after an hour or so's work. He'd renamed the various files which doesn't help.

Is there a way to sort them while on the timeline other than the labourious way of moving each one individually - which I've started to do but am rapidly becoming bored with the whole thing? Or indeed a hack to use the existing project file with the sorted files?

As I say, I think I know the answer but I could do with not starting again from scratch.

AndyW

Comments

Gid wrote on 7/10/2024, 4:41 AM

@me_again Hi,

Do the orig files in your folder have the orig date & time included in their properties? Modified dates?

If they do go to the Import window & change the order to Changed,

Mine shows this vid was 'changed' at 10,28 which is correct, i made a note of when I recorded it.

The ones you've already started editing should be in the correct order if you've put them in the right order, & the rest will be then easier to import & edit.

me_again wrote on 7/10/2024, 5:11 AM

@Gid Greetings Gid,

Thanks for the reply. I'll not by my 'pooter at the moment so I'll look at it later.

AndyW

Gid wrote on 7/10/2024, 5:16 AM

@me_again 👍 If you change that in the Details option & then change to Thumbnails they should stay in that order .

browj2 wrote on 7/10/2024, 7:13 AM

@me_again

Hi Andy,

If your photos and videos are on track 1, did you try StoryBoard mode? You still have to move the files around but it's a whole lot easier.

John CB

johnebaker wrote on 7/10/2024, 11:39 AM

@me_again

Hi Andy

. . . . I've just realised that I didn't sort them into "time of taking . . . . He'd renamed the various files which doesn't help . . . .

IMHO it is better to restart the project than trying to sort the photeos on the timeline, however before you do rename the files to their Date/Time taken using a renamer program such as Advanced Renamer . The renaming process takes seconds to a few minutes depending on how many files there are. I used this when in a similar situation, and for other renaming requirements, below is an example of usage with a custom file name structure'.

Do ensure you keep a backup copy of the original 'just in case'

John EB

me_again wrote on 7/11/2024, 1:29 AM

@Gid @browj2 @johnebaker

Greetings, after using a combination of your replies I've got it sorted, literally 😄.

Gid, I've never even contemplated using the import window in MS; it's much easier. I usually drag and drop from Windows Explorer. Thanks.

John CB, I tried doing it in story board mode but I found that was even more tricky, however I used scene overview which I found did the job reasonably easily. Thanks for the pointer.

John EB, I decided not to start again, 47 photo's and clips edited (about half) gave me a cold sweat. After your comment I tried Magix Photo Manager. It does the same job - after a bit of playing about. Something for the next project. Thanks.

AndyW

Gid wrote on 7/11/2024, 4:29 AM

@me_again I drag & drop from Windows folders too, I can have a few open with each Grouped by type, Sorted by date, modified or name.. 👍