Configuration Files >

# About Project Configuration Files

A project configuration file is a text file that is parsed when you select a project in the application. A project configuration file uses the same name as the project, but with a .cfg extension. For example, the project configuration file for a project called “my_project” uses a project configuration file called my_project.cfg.

Project configuration files are located in the /usr/discreet/project/<project_name>/cfg directory. You can open a project configuration file in any text editor.

NoteAlthough you can modify project configuration files, the Project Management menu provides editing tools to modify projects from session to session as needed. In general, you should not have to modify project configuration files manually.

Project Configuration File Templates

When you create a project, you select a template from which your project's configuration file is generated. These templates are based on a resolution and framerate, and define the display environment. Project templates do not prevent you from working with clips of other resolutions and frame rates. However, some functions, such as display on a broadcast monitor, may not be supported.

These templates are located in the /usr/discreet <product_home> /cfg/linux-x86_64/template directory.

TipThis directory contains an extensive list of templates for all supported display environments, some of which may not be suitable for your workflow. To make template selection easier, use the mkdir command to create a directory called unused in the directory /usr/discreet/ <product_home> /cfg/linux-x86_64/template. Use the mv command to move templates you do not use to this folder. When you use the Create Project menu, only those templates that remain will be available.

Select the template from the following table that corresponds to the resolution of your project.

The configuration file template: | Sets parameters for projects to work with:
--- | ---
ntsc.cfg | NTSC 601 material. The external sync source is NTSC blackburst.
pal.cfg | PAL 601 material. The external sync source is PAL blackburst.
24p.cfg | 24p material of any resolution.
24p_ntsc.cfg | Film-based material that has been transferred to NTSC 601 video. The external sync source is NTSC blackburst.
film.cfg | Film-based material.
film_ntsc.cfg | Film-based material that has been transferred to NTSC video. The external sync source is NTSC blackburst.
24p_1920x1080@5994i.cfg 24p_1280x720@5994p.cfg 24p_1280x720@5994p_free.cfg 24p_1280x720@6000p.cfg 24p_1280x720@6000p_free.cfg 24p_1920x1080@5994i.cfg | Film-based material that has been transferred to HD video. The external sync source is NTSC blackburst.
1280x720@5994p_free.cfg 1280x720@6000p_free.cfg 1920x1080@23976psf_free.cfg 1920x1080@24000psf_free.cfg 1920x1080@25000psf_free.cfg 1920x1080@50i_free.cfg 1920x1080@5994i_free.cfg 1920x1080@6000i_free.cfg | The corresponding HD standard on workstations to which no external sync source is connected.
1280x720@5994p.cfg 1280x720@6000p.cfg 1920x1080@23976psf.cfg 1920x1080@24000psf.cfg 1920x1080@25000psf.cfg 1920x1080@50i.cfg 1920x1080@5994i.cfg 1920x1080@6000i.cfg | The corresponding HD standard on workstations. The external sync source corresponds with the HD format.

Supported HD Formats in Project Templates

The names of project templates for HD formats contain a string that identifies the format's resolution, framerate, and scan mode.

Project configuration templates with the following string in their name: | Correspond to the following HD format:
--- | ---
1280x720@5994p | 1280x720 progressive scan at 59.94 frames per second (720/59.94p, SMPTE-296M)
1280x720@5000p | 1280x720 progressive scan at 50 frames per second (720/50p, SMPTE-296M)
1280x720@6000p | 1280x720 progressive scan at 60 frames per second (720/60p, SMPTE-296M)
1920x1080@23976psf | 1920x1080 progressive segmented frame at 23.976 frames per second (1080/23976psf, SMPTE-274M, RP-211)
1920x1080@24000psf | 1920x1080 progressive segmented frames at 24 frames per second (1080/24psf, SMPTE-274M, RP-211)
1920x1080@25000psf | 1920x1080 progressive segmented frames at 25 frames per second (1080/25psf, SMPTE-274M, RP-211)
1920x1080@50i | 1920x1080 interlaced scan at 50 fields per second (1080/50i, SMPTE-274M)
1920x1080@5994i | 1920x1080 interlaced scan at 59.94 fields per second (1080/59.94i, SMPTE-274M)
1920x1080@6000i | 1920x1080 interlaced scan at 60 fields per second (1080/60i, SMPTE-274M)

Modifying Project Configuration Files

Project configuration files have open read/write permissions and anyone can modify them. In some cases, you may want to restrict access to them using the chmod command.

Here are some basic guidelines for modifying project configuration files:

- Do not modify the template project configuration files. These are used by the software to generate new project configuration files and should not be altered. Create a copy of the desired project .cfg file, and modify that in a text editor as needed.
- Create a backup of the project configuration file before making any changes to it.
- Modified project configuration files must end with _custom.cfg.
- You cannot use multiple project configuration files with a single project. A project configuration file must have the same name as its corresponding project and it must be located in the project's cfg directory.

#### Topics in this section

- Project Configuration File Templates
- Modifying Project Configuration Files