We've just released Pro Versioner 2.0.9, a minor update to our project backup tool.

Drive-relative watch folders

You can now look for specific folders whenever a drive is inserted and automatically import matching project files into Pro Versioner.

Import Folder dialog

When dragging a folder into the Projects pane, Pro Versioner will now ask you if you want to import every file in the folder or just a subset of file types. Pro Versioner is app-agnostic so you can add any type of project file to the list.

Improved compatibility with Event Manager X

We had several users contact us with reports of duplicate projects in Pro Versioner when using Event Manager X to move projects and events around. This problem occurs when watch folders are poorly configured. We have added the Event Manager folders to a blacklist so it now won't back them up, but we would encourage users with this issue to reconfigure their watch folder settings.

For best results, watch folders should be set to the latest possible parent in the chain, and it is more efficient to create multiple watch folders than try to encompass everything in a single entry. For example, the optimal configuration for FCPX is two entries:

1. ~/Movies/Final Cut Events, watching .fcpevent files
2. ~/Movies/Final Cut Projects, watching .fcpproject files

This is more efficient than watching the Movies directory for both types of files or, worse, watching the entire drive. These watch folders are automatically set when using the FCPX presets.

You may also wish to setup the same two watch folders in the lower view for automatically importing from inserted drives too, which you can easily do with the presets.

Other changes

• Improved support for storing backups on a SAN
• You can now search by file extension in the Project pane

The full changelog is here.

Pro Versioner is a comprehensive backup tool for your project files, featuring screenshots, annotations and cloud redundancy. To find out more, view the feature list, read the user manual, watch the overview video or download the free 15-day trial.

We've just released a major update to our Kollaborate cloud workflow platform.

Relationships

The Relationship Editor allows you to specify the relationship between two files. For example, you might upload a playable H.264 copy of a movie but also include a high-resolution ProRes version of the same clip for the recipient to work on. To help the other person find the file and know that it is a higher resolution copy of the same movie, you could enter the Relationship Editor for the H.264 file, browse for the ProRes copy and set the relationship as "Higher quality version". (All relationships are two-way so you can do it the opposite way around too.)

There are a wide range of relationship statuses including "Alternate version", "Foreign language version", "With text" / "Without text", "Temp audio" / "Final audio", etc. This is a very powerful feature that allows users to assign context to their files and also will allow Kollaborate in future to automatically deliver the most appropriate file to the user depending on the situation.

Comment replies

You can now reply to a comment. This was a much-requested feature we're glad to deliver.

Task indicators

Tasks are now color-coded depending on their status. Pending tasks appear red, in-progress tasks appear orange and completed tasks appear green.

Task indicators now appear in the comments view to allow you to see the tasks connected to a comment. The indicators are color-coded, allowing you to easily see which notes still need to be addressed. Note: existing tasks will not show up in the list; this only applies to tasks created from now on.

Cut Notes sync overhaul

We've overhauled Cut Notes sync and provided live comment support. Read more about that here.

Kollaborate Transfer

There's a new update to Kollaborate Transfer too. This allows you to automatically email links to a list of users upon successful upload and also now optimizes images for compatibility with the site. Other changes include more descriptive error messages and the ability to double-click a completed file to launch it in your web browser.

Other changes

Other small changes include:

• Users will receive a notification when someone moves a file they previously couldn't access into their department
• Users can be imported from existing projects when creating a new one
• Comments can be disabled when sending out links
• Project owners can now receive alerts without needing to be part of the team

Kollaborate is an advanced cloud workflow tool that integrates well with existing Digital Rebellion products. To find out more, try the free 15-day trial.

We've just released Cut Notes 2.0.3, a minor update to our iPad note-taking app.

We've overhauled timecode and playback sync with Kollaborate and you will need to use this version to sync with the site from now on.

This is more of an under-the-hood change so there aren't many user-facing differences, however you now need to press sync in the browser first and then sync in Cut Notes. Another advantage is that you no longer need to be on the same network and it should be better at negotiating firewalls. It also paves the way for some great features in future.

We've also implemented Kollaborate live comments, which means that comments other users make in their web browsers, CinePlay or other copies of Cut Notes will appear instantly in the Notes view of your device.

Cut Notes now has the option to auto-pause playback when you type, allowing you to focus on what you're typing and not lose your place in the cut. This is supported in manual sync mode (no sync source) and any sync source that can control playback - Kollaborate, Final Cut Pro 7, Adobe Premiere CC and Adobe Audition. This setting is off by default and can be switched on under the Cut Notes section of the iOS Settings app.

These are the major features; you can read the full changelog here.

Cut Notes is an invaluable time-saving post production tool. To find out more, view the feature list, read the user manual or watch the overview video.

We've just released CinePlay 1.1.2, a minor update for our professional iOS video player.

The iPad version of CinePlay now supports live comments in Kollaborate, meaning that comments on the same video from other people instantly show up as markers on your timeline, and any markers you create in CinePlay will appear instantly for other people using CinePlay or viewing the video in their web browser.

This feature had already been rolled out for users of the web version of the site and will be coming to Cut Notes users in the next update.

We've also made several other changes to the app which will result in improved performance on slower devices and fixed a couple of UI glitches on the iPhone. The full changelog is here.

CinePlay is an essential tool for dailies review and client feedback, especially when coupled with our Kollaborate cloud workflow solution. To find out more, view the feature list, read the user manual or watch the overview video.

One thing we heard loud and clear at NAB this year was the desire for a local version of Kollaborate that companies could run on their in-house servers and storage, so immediately after the show we bumped Kollaborate Server up the priority list. The software is now nearing completion and we are looking for companies to help test it.

Kollaborate is our cloud workflow platform that allows you to share files, gather feedback and manage your team in the cloud. It also integrates tightly with Digital Rebellion apps like Cut Notes, CinePlay and Post Haste, with the eventual plan being to tie it in with every app we make. You can find out more about the feature set at www.kollaborate.tv.

Kollaborate Server is aimed at businesses so we're looking for companies willing to test the software locally within their facility. You will need a dedicated computer running Apache, MySQL and PHP on OS X or Linux. Setup should not be difficult for anyone familiar with setting up a webserver and detailed instructions will be provided.

If you're interested in taking part, please contact us with a little bit of information about your company including which operating system you'll be running it on and approximately how many users will be connecting to it.

We've just released another major update to our cloud workflow platform Kollaborate with some much-requested features.

Custom user permissions

You now have more control over the individual actions of users in the project. You can override the permissions set by the user's department position to assign or deny admin status, and can control whether the user can upload, view or delete files.

Custom file permissions

As well as department-level sandboxing, you can now set permissions on a file-by-file basis. You can approve or deny access to individuals, departments or everyone. You can combine permissions to deny access to everyone except certain people, or deny access to a department except for certain people in that department.

Kollaborate continues to advance at a rapid pace (we make daily updates) and we're about 75% through our list of tasks to complete before the beta status can be removed. We are working on integrating the cloud with all of our applications (we currently support Cut Notes, CinePlay and Post Haste) and are actively working on a local server edition that will be released in a few weeks.

There are many digital asset management and workflow tools nowadays but we've taken a different path and roadmap to everyone else and the response so far has been extremely positive. Try it out today at kollaborate.tv.

We've just released a beta of Post Haste 2.5 for Mac.

This version has basic Kollaborate integration. To set it up, go to the Kollaborate tab in preferences, enter your login information and click Authorize.

Now whenever you create a new project on your local hard drive, a copy will be created in the cloud. You can choose to recreate the entire folder structure or just create an empty project. Note: you must be logged into a Kollaborate trial or subscriber account for this to work.

We're keen to hear feedback on the best ways to integrate Kollaborate functionality into your existing Post Haste workflows so contact us with your requests.

Last week we released Pro Maintenance Tools 2.0.14, a minor update to our flagship suite for maintaining, optimizing and troubleshooting your editing system.

As well as the usual bug fixes and updated Crash Analyzer definitions, we've also introduced a new feature to Plugin Manager. It is now possible to print a list of plugins to refer to when reinstalling your operating system. You could also use it to compare plugins between computers, but it is much easier to do that with Pro Admin.

You can see the entire list of changes here.

Pro Maintenance Tools is an essential toolkit for post production professionals that is used worldwide by freelancers and studios alike. To find out more view the full feature list, watch the video overview, read the user manual or download the free trial.

Today we released a major update to our Kollaborate cloud workflow tool. As well as bug fixes and tweaks, we also introduced some important new features and changes.

Aliases

Aliases are shortcuts to a file, much like symbolic links in OS X. Aliases are a useful tool in managing user permissions because they behave like self-contained files, allowing you to to separate comments and other metadata between departments.

For example, an editor uploads a new cut to the Post Production department. The producer views the cut and gives his/her notes. The editor then wishes to give the client access to the file but without them seeing the producer's notes, so he creates an alias to the file, moves it to the Clients department and the client makes their notes effectively in a sandbox away from everyone else.

To add an alias, click the arrow at the right of a file and choose Create Alias, then click the arrow next to the new file, click Move and choose the department or folder.

Sharing overhaul

We've overhauled the Sharing pane to make it easier to share links with people who are not directly part of the project.

You can now email the link to people directly from the web interface and they can leave comments on the file without needing to be part of the project.

Storage statistics

Clicking the colored storage indicator in the bottom right corner now takes you to the Storage page, allowing you to see exactly how much space you're using and what the largest files in each project are.

Misc

Other minor changes include frame-by-frame navigation in the player using the left/right arrow keys, the ability to create a task from any comment, the ability to export all tasks as a calendar, UI tweaks and much more.

Apps

Kollaborate Transfer, our batch encoding and uploading tool, has been updated to allow uploads to private storage areas, folders and departments, among other changes and tweaks.

CinePlay has been updated to 1.1.1 to allow video playback from private storage areas and departments. We've also improved compatibility with iOS 5.

Cut Notes has been updated to 2.0.1 to allow note taking from video files stored in departments or subfolders, alongside various Kollaborate sync improvements. We've also made it so that it will stay in manual note-taking mode until you specifically exit it, as well as making the Export dialog clearer for new users.

These are just a few features on our ambitious Kollaborate roadmap. To find out more, visit www.kollaborate.tv and sign up for the free trial.

We're pleased to introduce our new white-label service for business customers. This allows you to customize our applications with your logo and branding for use with your clients.

It will be especially useful with the upcoming local server feature of Kollaborate, allowing you to completely customize the end-user experience for clients and keep them coming back.

The service is available on an annual subscription basis and we can do basic branding or feature customization depending on your needs and requirements. Contact us for more details.