Simplify Sequence Is Not Working.

[The Mavo]

Greetings.

So, my client has finally approved the short video I edited for them. I don't know about the rest of you, but my sequence typically looks...shall we say...rather scattered by the time I'm done. In any case, I need to streamline my timeline so others down the postproduction line will be able to work with it.

To that end, I've been using the Simplify Sequence feature...Or, I've been trying to.

When I select Simplify Sequence from the Sequence menu in Premiere, nothing happens. Literally nothing at all. It doesn't make a copy of the sequence and it definitely does not modify the clips or channels in my sequence in any way. Nothing.

The app appears to still work normally, but selecting the Simplify Sequence command elicits no response from the app.

Has anyone else been experiencing this with Simplify Sequence. And, more importantly, what can I do to restore the functionality of the Simplify Sequence command? And, don't say to simplify it manually. That's a last recourse move I'm trying to avoid.

Thanks.

[mattchristensen]

@The Mavo Which version of Premiere Pro are you using? Double check that you have the Timeline panel in focus when you go to Sequence > Simplify Sequence.

[The Mavo]

Hi, Matt.

I believe I'm using the most recent version of Premiere Pro. And my sequence is definitely in focus when I try to use Simplify Sequence. It's just not responding.

[mattchristensen]

@The Mavo That's really strange. Was it working before, or is this the first time you're trying Simplify Sequence?

Could you make a screen recording and upload it here or somewhere with a link to it so I can see? Feel free to direct message me if you'd prefer it not to be public, or I can set up an upload spot for you. Sometimes seeing what you're seeing is the quickest way to figure it out. Thanks.

[The Mavo]

I direct messaged you a video, @mattchristensen. Also, I confirmed I'm using Adobe Premiere Pro Version 24.4.1 (Build 2), which seems to be the most recent version available.

One other question, about the interface. I noticed that the color scheme for the clips in my sequence has been different over the past couple days. I’m wondering what may have happened to change the those colors...and how to change them back.

Thanks again.

[Tom37534672wu8i]

• Check Sequence Settings: Make sure there are no unusual settings in your sequence that might be causing issues. Try creating a new, simple sequence and see if the Simplify Sequence feature works on it.

• Check for Locked Tracks: Ensure that none of the tracks in your sequence are locked. Locked tracks might prevent certain operations from being applied to the sequence.

• Clear Media Cache: A corrupted media cache can cause unexpected behavior. Clear your media cache by going to Edit > Preferences > Media Cache (Windows) or Premiere Pro > Preferences > Media Cache (Mac) and clicking on Delete Unused.

• Reset Preferences: Resetting Premiere Pro preferences can resolve unexpected issues. To reset preferences, hold down Shift+Alt (Windows) or Shift+Option (Mac) while launching Premiere Pro until the splash screen appears.

• Run Premiere Pro as Administrator: On Windows, running Premiere Pro as an administrator can sometimes resolve permission-related issues. Right-click on the Premiere Pro icon and select "Run as administrator."

• Check for Updates: Even if you believe you're using the latest version, double-check for any available updates or patches. Adobe frequently releases minor updates that fix specific issues.

• Test with a New Project: Create a new project, import your sequence into the new project, and try using the Simplify Sequence feature again. This can help identify if the issue is project-specific.

• Use an Alternative Method: If Simplify Sequence continues to fail, consider using other built-in tools or plugins to clean up your timeline. For example, you can manually remove unused clips, consolidate tracks, or use other organization features available in Premiere Pro.

• Reinstall Premiere Pro: If the issue persists, try uninstalling and then reinstalling Premiere Pro. This can resolve issues caused by corrupted installation files.

• Contact Adobe Support:

[The Mavo]

Any suggestions?

[The Mavo]

^

[PaulMurphy]

Hi there!

The new label colors in the latest version of Premiere Pro (24.4.1) can be a bit of a surprise. If you prefer the old colors, you can switch back by going to Preferences > Labels and setting Label Color Presets to Classic.

Regarding the Simplify Sequences issue, I haven't been able to reproduce it on my end. Could you share a screenshot of your timeline? That might give us some clues to help figure out what's going on.

Cheers,
Paul

[The Mavo]

Thanks for the replies, everyone, including @mattchristensen, @PaulMurphy and @Tom37534672wu8i.

So, in my sequence, I had maintained most of the links (usually between video clips and the corresponding camera audio that came with those clips. I had also grouped those clips with the related audio that had been recorded separately but which I had synched in my sequence. I just find keeping such information together in that way makes the editing process easier for me.

In any case, I tried ungrouping all the clips in my sequence, then attempted the Simplify Sequence command. This time it worked. Separately, I also tried unlinking all the clips in the sequence; afterward, Simplify Sequence worked again. It definitely removed the unused and muted tracks; reduced the number of tracks and removed the disabled clips this time. It also created a separate sequence with those changes.

So, from this experience I deduce that Simplify Sequence won't always work if there are grouped or linked clips or footage (or, at least, if there are many groups or links).

I think my sequence could still use a bit more cleaning, so I’ll look into some of the “alternative methods” you mentioned, @Tom37534672wu8i, and likely do a bit of manual cleanup. There are a number of dissolves among clips, where I layered one clip on a track above another clip on different track. But, Simplify Sequence did manage to reduce the overall number of video tracks to just three. I still have to tackle the many audio tracks.

Just out of curiosity: what methods do you prefer to use when it comes time to clean up a sequence and make it presentable for others? Up until now I tidied sequences only manually.

Thanks also for clarifying what was happening with the clip colors after the latest update.

Progress.