Subject:No backward compatibility?

Posted by: AxEast

Date:4/25/2006 7:27:14 AM

I tried to share a very very simple project file with a distant friend. I have AP 6, he has AP 5 and he says he can't open it. Is it normal? Is there a way I can save for AP 5?

AddI : My project file has one loop, 3 tracks (of the same loops), 3 mesarues and a signature change insert ... that's all. Just trying to show him how to handle loops for odd signatures.

Subject:RE: No backward compatibility?

Reply by: pwppch

Date:4/25/2006 7:39:48 AM

Yes, this is normal.

ACID 6 is backward compatible to project saved in previous versions of ACID. That is you can load ACID 4 or 5 or 3 projects into ACID 6.

We don't provide the ability to export ACID 6 project as previous version projects.

Peter

Subject:RE: No backward compatibility?

Reply by: Illogical

Date:4/25/2006 7:40:08 AM

This is my least favorite part of acid. As your subject suggests, there is no backwards compatibility whatsoever in Acid. Older projects can be opened by newer versions, but never vice versa. A 'save as' option with the older version file types would be much appreciated, but I doubt Sony would consider it a worthwhile development, as their goal of course is to sell as many copies of the latest version as they can.

Subject:RE: No backward compatibility?

Reply by: JohnnyRoy

Date:4/25/2006 9:18:07 AM

> As your subject suggests, there is no backwards compatibility whatsoever in Acid.

Actually, the subject is wrong. Backward compatibility is the ability to be compatible with versions “backward” in time. ACID 6 it totally backward compatible with projects from ACID 5, 4, 3,... etc.

What you are talking about is that ACID 5 is not FORWARD compatible! i.e., it cannot open FUTURE versions that it could not have possibly known anything about when it was programmed. No software in the world is Forward compatible (unless the file format hasn’t changed)

> A 'save as' option with the older version file types would be much appreciated,

I would have to strongly agree with you here. Many programs offer this. This would be a great export option, i.e., export as ACID 5 or ACID 4 for compatibility. Creating music is quite often a collaborative experience and to require everyone to be at the same level of software is unrealistic.

You should go to the Product Suggestion page here on the Sony site and make a formal suggest that future version of ACID be able to Export to previous versions.

~jr

Subject:RE: No backward compatibility?

Reply by: AxEast

Date:4/25/2006 9:41:02 AM

Thx for the fast response you all.

Right, a terminology mistake on my side ...
and I am not of course talking about forward compatibility (it would be too limiting :) but an "export as" or a "save as" option (without the "newer features") as you all put better.

Anyways will try to add that as a suggestion as I think Acid is becoming a remote sharing/collabing platform too (at least around AcidPlanet :-).

Subject:RE: No backward compatibility?

Reply by: Iacobus

Date:4/25/2006 10:18:24 AM

Wouldn't this be a bit tough to do? Since ACID Pro 6 now has multitracking, how would a project's particular track with multiple clips be handled if it was saved as an "ACID Pro 5" project (considering the previous versions have the "one media file per track" paradigm)? That's just one example. Still another is the inline MIDI editing, which is handled very differently than in previous versions.

Iacobus

Subject:RE: No backward compatibility?

Reply by: Illogical

Date:4/25/2006 12:33:12 PM

JR, dunno I kinda think it is backward compatibility to have a program be able to render into older formats.

MD, of course there would be some features lost and some sticking points if they were to develop something like that. But if you read the project description posted above, it's a shame that simple things like that cannot be exchanged. For more complex stuff, workarounds are possible (creating new Midi files, splitting media back to the one per track paradigm) and yes some data would get lost, but the app could tell you what you're going to lose before converting.

Anyway, they're not going to develop it so I'm not going to argue with you, but honestly man, I've never seen anyone defend every single one of a company's decisions so consistently as you. Are you on Sony's payroll, or just looking for a job?

haha!

Subject:RE: No backward compatibility?

Reply by: Laurence

Date:4/25/2006 12:56:25 PM

The only way to make it forwards compatible is to not make use of the new features. Have you noticed the new Acid Loop header info? It is leaps and bounds better than the far more limited feature set of the old version. Individual loops can be saved either way, but can sound much better with the new features. What you're asking for simply can't exist. If they tried you would end up with files that would load in older versions but not sound right, which IMHO is far worse.

Your friend should update his version of Acid as well. It's only $100 and it is well worth it.

Subject:RE: No backward compatibility?

Reply by: randygo

Date:4/25/2006 1:55:20 PM

I vote that Sony spend their time on more important issues than this.

This is the type of thing that is expensive to develop and would hardly be used.

It would be better to support some kind of import/export of an industry standard EDL-type format.

Cheers,

Randy

Subject:RE: No backward compatibility?

Reply by: AxEast

Date:4/26/2006 5:36:47 AM

Hi guys, I have to make another correction I guess ... I admit there can be more important points (which btw are dependent on how you work :-) and as I have a programming background too I know it can be bit hard.

BUT ... I am not talking about investing on being able to export all features etc. I just think it would be "much better" for an industry strong software to maintain a basic level save/export to its older versions (maybe even excluding MIDI ... audio tracks, loops/OS, basic enveloping/bus work ...).

Seems I am completely left out with an opportunity to share and mobilise the resolution and power, as I went to AP6. The only way seems Rendered by Track fixed len audio files, which by the way creates the largest possible package and worst loss on the practicality side for the receiver.

Anyways :)

Subject:RE: No backward compatibility?

Reply by: drbam

Date:4/26/2006 8:00:21 AM

In all fairness, what you're asking for lies in the realm of professional application. At this point its necessary for professionals to stay on top of the current releases if they wish to collaborate effectively with others. This is particularly important with non-mainstream apps like Acid, Vegas, Sonar, etc. Rather than Sony spending the resources on so called "backward compatiblity", I think is much more reasonable for your collaborator to move up to Acid 6 if he wants to work with you in this way. Risking losing a collaborative project to save $100 on an upgrade seems a bit strange to me.

Peace,

drbam

Subject:RE: No backward compatibility?

Reply by: SHTUNOT

Date:4/26/2006 9:00:29 AM

I agree...The stance for upgrade pricing is the same price for any version of acid to the current. An acid 1 user can upgrade to 6 for the same amount of money.

Throwing away resources on being able to "open a AP6 project in AP3" is not worth it.

Like I've said before. What new features would you risk/give up to gain this?
Because you can't have it all. If it meant not getting a freeze function/improved audio routing/trk phase switch/C4 support/midi enhancements...so that some guy who doesn't want to spend between $99-129 on a upgrade can open my project??? Sorry no dice.

Btw...Sony would also take a tech support hit. Now instead of being able to tech only AP 6 and some of 5 you have to be fluent with at least 3-4 prior???

Lets ALL stay on the same page please.

Ed.