I'm baffled! general help needed pls.

1/ when I save a project using "save as", a new project audio folder is created, copying all the audio in duplicate from the previous audio folder.

Why?????

does it mean if I work on a tune called "tune 1" and want to save it as "tune 1b" in order to compare the two arrangements, I have to duplicate all the audio data on my drive?
That would be crazy, as most tunes, I "save as" around 20 times so I can revert back to previous version

2/ Is there a way, when you import an audio file from another folder on my drive that it gets copiued instantly in the audio folder of the project (as sonar does) so all the audio used in one song is in one folder only. It would also avoid doing some destruvtive editing to an audio file that could be used in another song.

3/ why oh why? I would love to understand the following:

When i open a midi file ( which on my ARRANGE pane starts at bar 50 and finishes at bar 60) into the editor pane, the bar display in the editor pane does not match the bars in the arrange pane!!! how come? it seems to open every midi file in the editor starting at bar 1.
This is very confusing

4/ How doe P5 attributes colors to parts?
Is it random?
if so why?
Does it follow any kind of logic?
Can we color a part the way we like?

Again, the only way you can really 'revert back' to your previous version is by keeping the audio of the previous version, right? In case you do -not- need this audio (as it's the result of rearranged freeze operations or bounces), my suggestion is just to copy the .p5p file and open the new one. On opening, you'll be able to reselect the audio clips you want to share for move/copy to the new project audio folder, or simply skip them all.

I don't know if it's random or it follows some complex logic, perhaps Nick can enlighten us. I know that we can't color a part ourselves... too bad, as I'm a painter as well.

There was a bit of a debate about this a while back. The coloring scheme seems random, yet it cycles back at one point. Someone speculated a cycle of 16 distinct colors; unverified. The sequence seems to get locked in when you Save As Template.

About all you can do is change the line UsePatColors=1 in the Project5.ini file to =0, and save the file before launch. That'll give you a single color for all patterns. I've tried some ways to lock in a specific color. All I can say is that a New project (from the "internal" template) seems to favor red.

5/ is there a way to set up loop point without dragging these loop cursor start and end points? i could not just create a loop by dragging the mouse in the timeline.

Humm.. so a cakewalk developer would go to great length to develop a random coloring scheme noone can understand or alter in anyway, when little simple paint tools have been around for 10 years or so on most audio / midi software, and are largely accepted by users as a good tool to have...that makes sense...

I'm quite confused with a few things

Don't get me wrong.
I am starting to really enjoy this software. It is very cool.

First enable the loop button. This will bring up the markers. Next select a clip in your song that matches the timeline you want to loop over (it can be any clip in any track) and click on "set loop points" the loop points will magically set themselves to the begining and end of that clip.

Sometimes you just have to "surrender to the exercise", Vinny.

ORIGINAL: MysticMizer

Not sure if anyone answered this yet...

First enable the loop button. This will bring up the markers. Next select a clip in your song that matches the timeline you want to loop over (it can be any clip in any track) and click on "set loop points" the loop points will magically set themselves to the begining and end of that clip.

Sonar will let you change the clips colors at least, though no paint bucket. BTW, and due I honestly don't know... what competing audio applications include a paint bucket for clips? Do you see it really as a 'standard'?

ORIGINAL: vinny199

the way I work, i spend ages on various possible arrangements (and this "save as" functiion that copies the entire audio folder again is a real bother to me) and usually end up with around 50 tracks of audio to choose from, around 40 usually go in the final mix.

"paint bucket" might not be the exact words i should have used. but usually speaking, "clip coloring & track coloring" logic and cubase, sonar now offer this. logic and cubase with a simple "color tool". haven't used pro tools in ages, but i think it does too.
so yes, since these sequencers are pretty much the standard in the UK, I've come to think of the clip colring fuction as standard. I got used to splitting my vocals/ drums/ guitars / bass / synth etc around color codes and believe me it makes it SO MUCH EASIER when you look at your page to instantly see the overal arrangement of the track.

the way I work, i spend ages on various possible arrangements (and this "save as" functiion that copies the entire audio folder again is a real bother to me) and usually end up with around 50 tracks of audio to choose from, around 40 usually go in the final mix.