My apologies If this question has been asked and answered, but I cannot find the thread.

When one renders an effect or timeline a media file, which in-house we call a "render" is created. Correct?

When one makes a change in the effect or timeline, you often must render again, which creates another "render" file. Correct?

Now there are two "render" files. One being used and one no longer being used. Correct?

Assuming this is so, your disk or workspace eventually ends up with a whole bunch of obsolete and un-used "renders" that are just taking up a lot of space.

This is our experience.

Is there a way to get Avid MC to automatically throw away obsolete "renders"?

If not, is there a way to do it manually without incurring a bunch of risk?

Feel free to correct any erroneous assumptions.

Thanks.  JP

Be careful deleting renders which are "pre-computes" in Avid lingo, because pre-computes not only include rendered effects, but also title clips and imported matte graphic files. If you throw away renders, they can always be re-rendered, no big woop. If you throw away title clips, they can easily be recreated using "recreate title media". But if you throw away imported graphic files, they will need to be imported from your original source files. The procedure is: highlight your sequence in it's bin and with all bins open, choose "show relatives" from the bin menu. Now open the media tool showing current project and pre-computes only, then choose "reverse selection". Those are the files that are currently super ceded and not used.

JP Redman:

When one makes a change in the effect or timeline, you often must render again, which creates another "render" file. Correct?

You are correct, though the file is called a "precompute".

JP Redman:

s there a way to get Avid MC to automatically throw away obsolete "renders"?

If not, is there a way to do it manually without incurring a bunch of risk?

Sure, just open your media tool and tell it to display only precomputes for the current project. Now select your sequence and, from the BIN menu, choose "Select media relatives". This selects all of the precomputes that are being used in your cut. Now, from the same BIN menu, choose "Reverse Selection". This selects all of the precomputes that are NOT being use and you can now delete them.

One caveat though. This process also deletes any Titles or RT Keys that may have been imported but not yet placed in the Timeline so, if you plan on using those later, you may want to hod off on the big delete or sift them out first.

This is taken from this beautiful old FAQ for Xpress DV, applies here as well.

http://xdvfaq.tripod.com/#3.19

3.19  Q. How do I delete unwanted Effects?

A. Open Media Tool. Check all drives and current project. Check Precomputes and leave Master Clips and Media Files UNCHECKED. Click Ok,  a new window will open. Keep it open and visible. Open the bin with the sequence(s) and highlight them. In the hamburger menu (lower left corner of the bin window) select "Select Media Relatives". Any clips in the open bins, including the media tool bin that are used in the sequence will be highlighted. In the hamburger menu of the media tool bin select "Reverse Selection"  The precomputes that are not associated with that sequence are now highlighted. Hit delete and enjoy some more free space.

Thanks to all of you. Several people gave me the same procedure, so I'm good.

I do have one more question tho' (I'm not an editor, I'm the Lan admin, so if the question is dumb, please bear with me) about the passage below.

BLKDOG:

One caveat though. This process also deletes any Titles or RT Keys that may have been imported but not yet placed in the Timeline so, if you plan on using those later, you may want to hod off on the big delete or sift them out first.

I assume that if we put Titles, RT Keys and graphics in a different Bin from the one being purged, all will be fine. Correct?

Thanks, JP

JP Redman:

I assume that if we put Titles, RT Keys and graphics in a different Bin from the one being purged, all will be fine. Correct?

No JP as you will be deleting files from you HDs and not your bins. If you want to keep any precomputes, like titles, etc., after you "Reverse Selection", choose "Sift Selected" then highlight the Titles, etc, you want to keep in your bin and choose "Select Media Relatives" again from the BIN menu. Once the media is selected, click on the Media Tool and choose "Reverse Selection" again and then delete.

Or you could simply 'Lock' all your graphic imports by highligting them in the bin and using the 'lock bin selection' command. I forget which menu it's in unfortunately.

That doesn't work with pre-computes, it will lock the master clip but still allow the pre-compute to be deleted.

Scott Carnegie:

That doesn't work with pre-computes, it will lock the master clip but still allow the pre-compute to be deleted.

 Confirmed.