Multiple Projects Open at Once seems like a terrible idea

Report · Dec 01, 2017

I recently upgraded, now on CC v12. While I have a project I am currently working on and create a new one, the old project doesn't go away. This is a pretty huge change in functionality and workflow. So now you can have multiple projects open at a time? How does this even work? This is going to confuse EVERYONE! What is the recommended workflow. What are the benefits. This seems like it could turn project management into a disaster.

Report · Dec 01, 2017

Honestly, I've run into some of the same issues. While the "multiple projects open at a time" sounded great on paper, in actual workflow it has been pretty wonky and confusing.

I recommend keeping each project separately. I'd like to see Adobe create a multiple-project interface where each project has its own tab, just as you can do with multiple Photoshop files.

In a fast-paced workflow where you were absolutely aware of each project's role and remembered how to keep track of them, it might be OK. I'd probably err on the safe side for now, and hope that eventually the UI cleans up and becomes more practical.

Buck

Report · Dec 01, 2017

I wish there was a preference were I could turn this feature off.

Report · Dec 01, 2017

It can be confusing at first and nasty if you're working with another editor who does something you don't know about, granted.

It can also be very useful.

It does require one to realize that if you don't close a project, and just open another ... you have two projects now open, and depending on where the 'emphasis' (blue outlined panel) and cursor are, you may move things you're not realizing to someplace you didn't expect.

So ... be careful to close the current project then open another.

I've found that some of my tech-asset laden test projects are more useful ... if I need to load something out of my tech stuff, opening the project and copying the asset is proving easier than Media Browser-navigating through my computer to the particular folder.

And some generic assets are also easily shared.

Neil

Report · Dec 01, 2017

So far I've enjoyed being able to have multiple projects open at once, but that was because I planned on it. For me I was editing a project that needed some b-roll from a past project so I opened up the other project and was able to access all of the b-roll that I had already organized.

As for your question, "How does this even work?," it works by opening up each project in a different project window. You can open up sequences from either project and can use footage between the two. Whenever you use footage from a different project in a sequence it automatically imports it into the project the sequence is in. If you prefer to not work like that you just close the project folder.

In their release of it they promoted it as being used for multi-episode shows where you might be using the same footage from a past episode.

As far as best workflow, I think that is going to be determined by you and what your workflow in Premiere Pro is. For me, I would make separate bins to store any of the media and assets from any other project so that I know where they came from and would make sure to put them there every time I used them from a different project so that my project window doesn't get bogged down and unorganized.

Report · Dec 01, 2017

I think the big question is for the UI. It seems difficult to understand which project you are in. Having a clear tab, color difference or similar would be greatly helpful. I too, as mentioned by someone above, would love the ability to just turn this off. It seems pretty specific to a certain type of workflow.

In my mind at this point it's no different than just having one large project with different timelines and bins. If you are organized you can accomplish the same thing the 'old' way. I think with this method there is a huge risk of the project files themselves getting shuffled around, saved on different drives (network or local), etc. It's sometimes hard enough for people to keep their media organized

Report · Dec 01, 2017

Having an on-off toggle for opening multiple projects would be ideal, wouldn't it?

One of my biggest gripes ... in my Win10 machine, when I open a second project, the project tab for that is always way off to the far-right edge of available tabs. I have to manually move it to next to the other one so I can actually use it to move assets about.

But I know many others would be horrified if the second panel popped up next to the currently open one.

Neil

Report · Dec 02, 2017

What is the recommended workflow.

Close one before you start or open another.

Simple.

Report · Dec 02, 2017

What are the benefits.

To easily grab elements from one project for reuse in another. Opening or closing slates, for instance.

Could also be very useful for project versioning, keeping different markets or audiences in their own respective projects.