Name your Encoded File
After selecting a source and configuration, the next step is to name the encoded files. The Output Menu allows setting file names for encodings, either manually or automatically, using the “Custom” or “Builder” modes within the File Name settings. Similar to the Source and Configuration menus, the Output Menu displays all output naming presets in a Main View and provides options to create and edit these presets in an Edit View. This naming feature offers flexibility to define file naming conventions, making it easier to organize and track encoded files in the Queue List and within the destination output folders. Additionally, when the selected sources are part of a folder structure (see Chapter 3.1.1.1), the options in the Folder Structure Tab within Edit View allow preserving the original folder hierarchy. By offering both manual and automatic naming modes, the Output Menu ensures consistency and clarity, supporting an organized workflow where encoded files remain easily identifiable and searchable for future reference.
Figure 3.3 – 1 | Output Menu Overview
1. Main View
The Main View of the Output Menu provides an overview of the existing naming presets and allows quick selection of one to be used in combination with selected sources and configuration sets.
1.1 Output Menu
The Output Menu in Main View allows consulting, creating, editing, and deleting file name presets with customizable settings.
Figure 3.3.1 – 1 | Output Menu
1.1.1 Selection Buttons Column
The Selection Buttons column allows selecting one Output Settings preset to be used for creating sessions in the queue list. Only one Output Settings preset can be selected at a time, in combination with one or multiple sources and configuration sets.
1.1.2 Edit Buttons Column
The Edit Buttons column allows switching from the Main View to the Edit View of the currently selected Output Settings preset to modify its parameters.
1.1.3 Output Settings Name Column
The Output Settings Name column displays the custom name defined by the user for each Output Settings preset. Note that the first preset in the table is the Default Output Settings, highlighted in grey. This special preset can be modified but cannot be deleted.
1.1.4 Output Settings Name Column
The Preview column provides an overview of how the final encoding names will be constructed using the Name Builder feature in the Edit View, or displayed as entered when using the Custom Name feature.
1.1.5 Output Settings Name Column
The Delete column contains bin-shaped buttons that remove the corresponding Output Settings preset when clicked. Note that the Default Output Settings preset at the top of the table cannot be deleted.
1.1.6 Output Settings Name Column
Pressing the“+” button automatically creates a new Output Settings preset and switches from the Main View to the Edit View to configure it.
2. Edit View
The Edit View consists of three tabs: the File Name Tab, which configures how the final encodings are named; the Folder Structure Tab, which defines the destination path with or without preserving the folder structure if the sources originate from one; and the Post Action Script Tab, which optionally executes a post-action script once the encodings are complete.
Figure 3.3.2 – 1 | Output Menu
2.1 File Name Tab
The File Name Tab allows specifying a name for the final encodings, either manually or by using the File Name Builder, which is based on a concatenated tag system that retrieves information from each source individually.
Figure 3.3.2.1 – 1 | File Name Tab in the Output Menu in Edit View
2.1.1 File Name Preview / File Name Field
The File Name field serves as an input area in Custom mode (when the Name Builder is disabled), allowing you to manually enter the desired output file name. In Builder mode, this field functions as a preview, displaying the generated file name based on the selected options and tags. Before adding the session to the Queue List, you can review and confirm the file name in this field to ensure accuracy and consistency. The same previewed name is also displayed in the Output Menu table within the Main View. Note that the previewed tags dynamically update according to the primary selected source, showing generic values when no sources are selected (e.g., Sample Rate: “XXk”) and actual tag values when a source is selected (e.g., Sample Rate: “96k”). When multiple sources are selected, only the first or topmost one in the list is used for preview.
2.1.2 File Name Mode
There are two File Name Modes that allow you to name the session in different ways:
• Custom: In this mode, the file name is manually entered.
• Builder: In Builder mode, users can concatenate multiple parameters to automatically generate the file name. This helps streamline workflows and ensures consistent naming conventions across all encoded files.
2.1.3 Available Tags Row
The Available Tags Row consists of values from various parameters that can be inserted into the file name using Builder mode. By dragging tags from the “Available Tags” row to the “Included Tags” row, the file name can be automatically generated with concatenated information. The following tags are available:
• File Name: The original name of the source file.
• Source Name: The name assigned to the source.
• Config Name: The name of the selected configuration used for encoding.
• Codec: The codec used for encoding the file.
• CX Type & Quality: Specifies the CX Encoder Mode and the corresponding Quality setting. This Tag is only applicable when the encoder in the configuration is set to Auro-CX.
• Layout: The layout of the source audio file.
• Sample Rate: The sample rate of the source file.
• Time Stamp: The time the encoding was started.
• Custom 1: User-defined text input in the custom fields.
• Custom 2: A second user-defined text input field for further customization.
2.1.4 Included Tags Row
The Included Tags Row displays the list of tags currently used to build the final file name in Builder mode. Tags can be added by dragging them from the “Available Tags” row and arranged in any order to define how the file name will be structured. Each tag represents a variable value that is dynamically replaced with corresponding information from the selected source and configuration during encoding.
2.1.5 Custom Fields and Separator Drop Down Menu
The Custom Fields and Separator Drop Down Menu offer additional flexibility in naming conventions by allowing you to insert custom characters or words into the file name. You can also select the separator used between the concatenated tags in Builder mode.
• Custom 1: A user-defined set of characters, typically used as a prefix.
• Custom 2: Another custom field for additional text, often used as a suffix.
• Separator Drop Down Menu: Select between “_” (underscore), “-” (hyphen), or “.” (period) to visually separate concatenated text values in the final file name.
2.1.6 Overwrite Option
The Overwrite option determines how the system handles files with identical names during encoding. When enabled, any existing files with the same name in the target directory will be replaced by the newly generated encodings. When disabled, the system will prevent overwriting to preserve the existing files.
2.1.7 File Name Field
The File Name field operates exclusively in Custom mode, which becomes available when the Name Builder is disabled. In this mode, the output file name is entered manually, allowing complete control over the naming process without the use of automated tag generation.
2.2 Folder Structure Tab
The Folder Structure Tab defines where the encoded files are written and how their directory structure is organized. It provides options to use a default destination, specify a custom absolute or relative path, preserve an existing folder hierarchy from the Source Menu, and optionally generate an additional subfolder whose name is built from tags.
Figure 3.3.2.2 – 1 | Folder Structure Tab in the Output Menu in Edit View
2.2.1 Use Default Folder Option
The Use Default Folder option enables or disables the global default destination for encoded files. When this option is enabled, all resulting encodings are written to the predefined system path without further destination customization. By default, files are saved in the Users/Shared/AES folder on macOS or the Users/Public/AES folder on Windows. When the option is disabled, the destination can be customized using the Absolute or Relative modes described below.
2.2.2 Destination Mode (Absolute vs Relative)
The Destination section provides two modes for defining the output location:
• Absolute: In Absolute mode, the destination is defined as a fixed path on the file system. A destination field and a folder-shaped icon are available; clicking the icon opens a system dialog to select the target directory. All encoded files created with this preset are then written to that absolute folder, independently of the original location of the source files.
• Relative: In Relative mode, the destination is defined relative to the folder containing the source files used for encoding. A relative path field becomes active, together with navigation controls that adjust the hierarchy level. The Up control increments the relative path one directory above the source location for each step (for example: ../, then ../../ after two steps). The Down control moves back toward the original source directory and is disabled as long as no upward step has been applied. Additional subdirectories can be created by typing entries such as ./Custom at the end of the relative path, resulting in a relative destination located above the source directory but still organized in a dedicated subfolder.
2.2.3 Preserve Folder Structure Button
The Preserve Folder Structure button maintains the original folder hierarchy of the sources when they originate from a folder structure defined in the Source Menu. When this option is enabled, the relative arrangement of subfolders under the chosen destination is mirrored from the source tree, ensuring that encodings follow the same structural organization as the input material.
2.2.4 Add Sub Folder Option
The Add Sub Folder option enables the creation of an additional subfolder below the destination defined by the selected mode (Absolute or Relative). When activated, all resulting encodings for the session are placed inside this subfolder. The name of this subfolder is generated using the Sub Folder Name Builder described in Section 2.2.5.
2.2.5 Sub Folder Name Builder
The Sub Folder Name Builder becomes active only when the Add Sub Folder option is enabled. It uses the same Included Tags and Available Tags concept as the File Name Builder, but is dedicated to constructing the subfolder name. Tags from the Available Tags row can be dragged into the Included Tags row to form a concatenated naming scheme. During encoding, each tag is replaced by the corresponding value derived from the selected source and configuration.
For subfolder naming, the following tags are typically available, as illustrated in Figure 3.3.2.2 – 1:
• Source Name: The name assigned to the source in the Source Menu.
• Config Name: The name of the selected configuration used for encoding.
• Codec: The codec used by the configuration.
• Sample Rate: The sample rate of the source file.
• Time Stamp: The time at which the encoding process is started.
• File Name: The original file name of the primary source media.
• Layout: The layout of the source audio file.
• Custom 1 / Custom 2: Custom text fields that can be defined in the corresponding input areas of the Folder Structure Tab.
2.2.6 Custom Fields and Separator for Sub Folder Naming
The Custom 1, Custom 2, and Separator parameters extend the flexibility of the Sub Folder Name Builder. The Custom 1 and Custom 2 fields accept arbitrary text strings that can be referenced as tags in the Included Tags row, enabling project-specific identifiers or additional grouping information. The Separator control defines the character used between concatenated tags (for example, underscore, hyphen, or period), ensuring consistent and readable subfolder names that match the naming conventions applied elsewhere in the workflow.
2.3 Post Action Script Tab
The Post Action Script Tab provides the option to assign a custom script that is automatically executed after the completion of an encoding session using the selected Output Settings preset. This feature is designed to enable automation of post-processing tasks such as file transfer, archiving, or batch organization once all encodings are finalized.
Figure 3.3.2.3 – 1 | Post Action Script Tab in the Output Menu in Edit View
The Script Drop Down Menu allows selecting a post-action script from a designated folder where custom scripts can be stored. Once configured, the chosen script is automatically executed after the encoding process finishes. This feature is currently in beta mode and may not be fully available in all versions. Users interested in testing or integrating post-action scripts can contact support@auro-3d.com for further information and guidance.
