portability

singingdog · Post by **singingdog** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 4:00 am

I would like to get some feedback re: the transfer of scs. files from one computer -eg. studio where q's are created to the theatre's computer where the show is to be produced. My experience has lead me to believe that the file extensions have to be identical on each computer for scs. to find and load the file. How are users easily transferring their work? -md.

Mike Daniell · Post by **Mike Daniell** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 9:30 am

The key is to ensure that your .scs file and (especially) the audio files are all in or below the 'Initial Folder' on you studio pc, and that you copy them to an identical structure below the 'Initial Folder' on the theatre pc.

For example, if the audio files for your show are in c:\documents and settings\fred bloggs\scs\christmas carol on your studio pc, and are to be copied to c:\shows\christmas carol on your theatre pc, then set your Initial Folder on your studio pc to c:\documents and settings\fred bloggs\scs and the Initial Folder on your theatre pc to c:\shows and your files will port easily - SCS will find all the files without any changes needing to be made.

I will bring forward to SCS 8.4.2 (probably) an enhancement that will check for audio files being in the SAME folder as the .scs file, or in a folder below that, which will make porting even easier.

jmgordon · Post by **jmgordon** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 9:51 am

I was preparing a response when I found Mike's reply. You're right, if the paths aren't identical you will have to go through every cue pointing SCS at the new address. The help file gives pointers under "Portability", referring to Initial and Application folders, as described by Mike.

Personally I am constantly creating shows on my desktop and transferring to my laptop. I create a folder called (say) "MyShow" containing the SCS sound cue file and a copy of every .wav file it uses. I place it in the root of " My Documents", i.e. so that the path is C:\Documents and Settings\fred bloggs\My Documents\MyShow. I create an identical folder on the laptop and copy everything into it. Obviously, since the laptop is also mine, "fred bloggs" is the same and the paths will be identical. Unless you have an identity on the theatre computer this will not work for you. You could therefore create the "MyShow" folder in the root of the C:\ drive on both machines and achieve the same result, as an alternative to the official method as set out by Mike.

Although this makes the show completely transferable, you will still have to do a bit of tweaking when the show loads on the theatre computer if the sound device(s) differ from the studio computer's.

Jim Passe · Post by **Jim Passe** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 8:05 am

i agree that the simpliest way is to make sure its always in the same place. I always have everything in one file in My documents . Haven't had any transfer problems yet since most computers have the C drive hosting my documents but i could see its a problem. i use an office computer to lay things out and transfer to the laptop for use.

I also have the entire show and software on a memory stick. These days someone always has a laptop available if something is wrong with mine.

Mike Daniell · Post by **Mike Daniell** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 7:51 am

New feature to simplify porting files is now available in SCS 8.4.2.