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Beta Quick Start Guide

Get your first AionTrack project running in under 5 minutes. This guide walks you through creating a project, importing clips, and making your first timeline commit.

What You'll Need​

  • An AionTrack beta account
  • An file exported from your NLE
  • An file exported from your timeline

Don't have these ready? No problem we'll show you how to export them from your editing software below.

Step 1: Create Your Project​

  1. Log in to app.aiontrack.app
  2. Click "New Project" from your dashboard
  3. Fill in the project details:
    • Name: Use your production name (e.g., "Acme Commercial - Spring Campaign")
    • Description: Optional context about the project
    • NLE Type: Optional Choose Premiere, Avid, or Resolve
  4. Click "Create Project"

You'll be taken to your new project dashboard. Right now it's empty let's fix that.

Step 2: Export an ALE File​

Your file contains all the metadata about clips used in your project. Here's how to export from common NLEs:

From Premiere Pro​

  1. Open your project
  2. Select your Project panel (Cmd/Ctrl + A)
  3. Choose File > Export > Avid Log Exchange...
  4. Save the file with a descriptive name like "project-clips.ale"

From Avid Media Composer​

  1. Open your project's bin
  2. Select all clips
  3. Right Click Export Bin
  4. Select Avid Log Exchange as the format
  5. Make sure all columns are selected (don't filter anything)
  6. Save the file

From DaVinci Resolve​

  1. Open the Media Pool
  2. Choose File > Export Metadata From > Media Pool... > ALE
  3. Save the file

Step 3: Import Your ALE​

Back in AionTrack:

  1. Navigate to the Clips tab in your project
  2. Click "Import Clips"
  3. Either drag and drop your ALE file or click to browse
  4. Click "Upload"

AionTrack will process your and display all imported clips. This usually takes just a few seconds. You'll see all the metadata preserved Name, tape name, timecode, scene numbers, everything in your original .

Pro tip

AionTrack preserves 100% of your metadata, including custom columns. Don't filter your exports bring everything in.

Step 4: Export Your First OTIO​

Now we need a snapshot of your timeline.

From Premiere Pro​

  1. Select your sequence
  2. Choose File > Export > OpenTimelineIO...
  3. Save the file

From Avid Media Composer​

  1. Select your sequence
  2. Choose Tools > List Tool
  3. Select Output Format > OTIO
  4. Select Load Sequence > Preview > Save List

From DaVinci Resolve​

  1. Select your timeline
  2. Right click and choose Timelines > Export > OTIO
  3. Save the file
Pro tip:

OTIO files are limited to 50MB during beta.

Step 5: Create Your First Commit​

With your OTIO file ready:

  1. Go to the Commits tab in your project
  2. Click "New Commit"
  3. Enter a commit message (e.g., "V1 Assembly Cut" or "Initial import")
  4. Upload your OTIO file by dragging it or clicking to browse
  5. Click "Create Commit"

For smaller timelines (under 100 clips), processing completes almost instantly. Larger timelines may take 30-60 seconds. You'll see a progress indicator and can continue working in AionTrack while it processes in the background.

Once complete, you'll see your timeline commit with:

  • Total clip count
  • Timeline duration
  • All visible clips in the timeline
  • Track layout information

Step 6: Make a Change and See the Diff​

Now for the magic seeing what changed between versions:

  1. Make some edits in your NLE:
    • Extend a few shots by a few frames
    • Add a new clip
    • Remove or replace something
  2. Export a new OTIO file from your updated timeline
  3. Create another commit in AionTrack with a descriptive message like "Extended opening shots, added new B-roll"
  4. After processing completes, AionTrack automatically shows you the diff

You'll see exactly what changed:

  • Green highlights: Added clips
  • Red highlights: Removed clips
  • Yellow highlights: Modified clips (with precise frame counts)
  • Moved clips: Position or track changes

Click any changed clip to see detailed before/after comparisons including in/out points, duration changes, and track assignments.

What's Next?​

Now that you've got the basics down, explore more advanced features:

Tag Clips for VFX - Mark which shots need visual effects work so you can track when editorial changes affect them

Invite Collaborators - Add your team members to the project

Review History - Compare any two commits to see what changed between specific versions

Explore Metadata - Search and filter your clip database using all the metadata from your ALE

Getting Help​

Running into issues or have questions?

Beta Feedback​

You're using AionTrack in its early stages. We're actively developing based on user feedback, and your input directly shapes the product.

Things we especially want to hear about:

  • Workflows that feel clunky or confusing
  • Features you wish existed
  • Integration pain points with your NLE
  • Performance issues with large timelines
  • Any bugs or unexpected behavior

Thank you for being an early user. Let's build something great together.

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