Saving Work using Batch or Batch FX Iterations

Batch and Batch FX offers the option of toggling between previously saved states known as iterations. Iterations are dynamic snapshots of the Batch environment that are used to save and share specific stages or versions of ongoing work. The advantage of creating Batch iterations instead of saving and loading setups is that all related sources are included. In addition, each new iteration can be automatically incremented using user-defined naming conventions.

The visibility of the Iterations folder can be turned on and off. In the Media panel, right-click Batch and select either Show Batch Iterations or Hide Batch Iterations to toggle, or use the Show Batch Iterations button in General Preferences. Another iteration-related preference exists (in the TL FX / Batch / Batch FX tab) to also save a setup file when saving a Batch iteration. This preference is enabled by default.

Creating Iterations

To create a Batch iteration:

1. Click the Batch tab.
2. Select the relevant Batch Group in the Media panel.
3. In the Batch Iteration Name field, add any other desired naming conventions by selecting tokens from the Add Token box.

   Additional text may be entered directly and existing tokens can be manually deleted. To access the Rename Batch dialog where the resulting name may be previewed, Shift-click the Batch Iteration Name field.

   Note: <batch name> and <iteration> are mandatory tokens and cannot be deleted.

   Default incremental naming conventions can also be set for the entire project. For more information, see Default Batch Iteration Name in Timeline FX / Batch / Batch FX Preferences.

4. Click the Iterate button.

   In Batch, a new iteration is created in the Iterations folder of the current Batch Group, with all associated reels and sources duplicated. The Batch Group in the Media panel shows the corresponding name.

   In Batch FX, the iterations are not directly attached to the Batch FX structure. A Batch Iterations library is created in the Libraries section of the Media panel, and a Batch group containing the iterations is created for every Batch FX name. Batch FX iterations are also shown when the BFX tab of the Media panel is selected.

To save a Batch iteration with an associated setup file, first enable Save Setup File in the Timeline FX / BFX tab of the Preferences menu. The setup file is saved in the default Batch folder ~/batch/flame in a subfolder called Iterations. Note that these setup files are not managed by Flame Premium. If the iteration is later deleted, the corresponding setup file will not be deleted automatically.

Important: Batch iterations are saved in the parent Batch. Clearing Batch also clears existing Batch iterations, just like clearing reels. Batch iterations and reels are not saved until the Desktop is saved from the menu at the bottom-right of the screen. Always make sure to save the Desktop in order to save all work.

To create additional Batch iterations:

1. Click the Batch tab and select the Batch to be iterated.
2. Click the Iterate button.

   The Create Batch Iteration dialog box appears.

3. Select Replace to overwrite the current iteration or Increment to create a new iteration with an incremented name.
   Tip: Alt-click the Iterate button to replace the current iteration without opening a confirmation dialog box.

Restoring an Iteration

To toggle between Batch iterations:

Whenever there are multiple iterations available in Batch, the Iterate button displays a blue arrow, allowing users to toggle between them.

1. View the Batch Schematic.
2. Click the blue arrow on the Iterate button and select the desired iteration from the list.

   The Replace Batch Setup dialog box appears.

3. Select whether to Append or Replace the existing setup. The iteration is restored, appearing as the currently-active Batch group.
   Note: The Replace option overwrites the current schematic, causing the loss of any unsaved changes in the current setup.

Batch iterations can also be appended or replaced in a number of other ways:

• While in Batch or Batch FX, drag and drop an iteration to the schematic, and choose whether to replace or append.
• From anywhere in Flame Premium where the Media panel is available, drag and drop an iteration over the Batch group. A Delete All dialog box appears and, upon confirming, the Batch tab is selected automatically.
• From anywhere in Flame Premium where the Media panel is available, right-click a Batch iteration, and select Replace Current Batch Setup or Append to Current Batch Setup. A Delete All dialog box appears and, upon confirming, the Batch tab is selected automatically.
Note: Using any of the above methods while in Batch FX only allows you to append to your existing Batch FX setup.

Keyboard shortcuts also exist to help you save iterations:

• Use the shortcut Save Current Batch/BFX Iteration to save the current Batch Iteration to the destination folder in either Batch or Batch FX.
• Use the Save Desktop/Reel/Clip/Batch Under Cursor shortcut to save the current Batch Group to the destination folder when used in Batch, and to save the current Iteration to the destination folder when used in Batch FX.