File management
Bernard does not store your production files: it stores their description. The files stay on the studio's disks, its network shares or an SFTP server. Bernard knows where they are, what their current version is, and copies them when needed.
A file (File) is an object of the tree, attached to an item or to a task. It carries:
- its paths, computed by an expression for each path variation and each system;
- its versions: their number and the current version, with a thumbnail for each version;
- its properties: extension, tags, department, order…
Attaching a file to an item
To create a file on an item or a task:
- Select the item (a shot, an asset) or the task in the tree.
- Right-click › Create › File. The Create New File window opens.
- Fill in the fields:
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Name | the name of the file in Bernard |
| File Extension | the extension, chosen among those declared by the studio |
| Auto Update Thumbnail | update the thumbnail from the file (checked by default) |
| Add to synced Files | add the file to the item's synced files (offered on an item, an item template or a task) |
| path | the path expression for the Local variation and the system of your workstation; by default <Parent.Files[0]>\<Name> on Windows |
- Click Create.
An item's synced files (Synced Files) are the ones that Download and Upload copy (see below).
You can also drop files from your disk onto an object of the tree.
What can get in the way
- On a template, you need the Can create files on models permission; on a reference, Can create files on references. Otherwise the File entry is greyed out.
- The File type must be among the Can Create permissions of your role.
- Deleting a file requires Can delete files from models or Can delete files from references.
A file created on a template is copied onto its references.
Adding a version
A new version becomes the current version.
- Drag and drop: drop the file or files onto the file's row, in the Files tab of the Properties panel.
- Browser: right-click the file › Add file (browse)... Useful where drag and drop is not possible (Citrix).
- From creation software: publishing from a plugin creates the version.
Bernard checks the source before creating the version: a folder for a folder, files for a file, the same extension, as many images as the expected sequence. Otherwise, it shows the reason and creates no version. The files are then copied to the path of the new version.
A note can be attached to a specific version: its banner shows the commented version and a Play button to watch it again.
Paths and expressions
A file's path is an expression: a text where the parts between < and > are replaced by values from Bernard. For
example, <Parent.Files[0]>\<Name> gives the path of the parent's folder, followed by the file name. The path is built
step by step, from the project folder down to the file.
Path Edit checks and fixes the paths of all the files of a selection, with search and replace.
The full syntax, the error messages and Path Edit are in the page Expressions and paths.
Path variations
The same file does not have the same path everywhere: on a Windows workstation, on a Linux workstation, on another site. Path variations (Local by default, then the ones the studio adds) give each file one expression per variation and per system. Each workstation has its current variation (Current Path Variation). The Paths Variation and Path Variation Settings tabs of the Properties panel show and set the paths of an object.
The principle, how Bernard chooses the expression and an example are in Expressions and paths.
Copy, download, upload
Copies go through the rclone tool, installed with Bernard.
| Tool | Where | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Download / Upload | right-click on an item | copies the item's synced files between a remote variation and the one of your workstation |
| File Operation | right-click | choose the source variation, the destination and the files, then copy or move |
| Backup / Delete | Backup, Delete files files recursively from selection window | back up or delete the files of a selection, from one variation to another, keeping a number of versions |
| File Operations Log | Windows › File Operations Log | one line per copy: type, object, version, size, progress; green = succeeded, red = failed, orange = interrupted |
In the log, the right-click offers Explore Source, Explore Destination and Copy All Log.
Settings of your workstation (Bernard › Settings › Local Settings):
- Max Simultaneous File Operation: number of copies at the same time (5 by default);
- RClone Network Max Usage: maximum share of network bandwidth used by copies (90% by default);
- Quiet File Operations: do not open the log at each copy.
Studio setting (Global Settings › File Management, administrators): Bernard Ignore V0. When checked (by default), files still at version 0 are ignored by copies and downloads.
Opening a file
Right-click › Open or Explore, with a submenu per department. Bernard picks the application according to the file's extension: first the project's applications, then the default application of the extension. When you open a file from Bernard, you can set your task to WIP.
Media open in the chosen player: Local Settings › Media player (Studio default, Legacy or Bernard Review).
Importing items
| Tool | Where | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Import From Files | right-click on a folder or a project | creates items from a tree of folders and files |
| Import From Table | right-click | paste a table (Ctrl+V), map each column to a property, create or update the items |
| Ingest Wizard | right-click | receives a delivery from a disk or an SFTP: browse, match the files to the items, choose, then Ingest Selected |
The details of each import tool, export and the logs are in the page Import, export and logs.