47

2.Locate and select a media file using the Look in drop-down list at the top of the dialog.

3.To preview the file before adding it to your project, click the Play button.

Note: If you have the Auto play check box selected, your file will automatically begin previewing when you select it.

4.Click Open. Sound Forge opens the file and displays a data window containing the waveform.

File displays in the data window

Using the Explorer window

In addition to using the Explorer window for locating, previewing and opening media, you can drag files or regions from the Explorer window to an open data window to paste, mix, or crossfade the data. Click the right mouse button while dragging to toggle mix, crossfade, and paste drag-and-drop modes. You can also extract audio from a CD.

Previewing media

The Explorer window allows you to easily preview files before you open them. The Explorer window has a

mini-transport bar with Play, Stop, and Auto Preview buttons (). When you preview a file, its stream is sent to the play meters on the main workspace (for audio files) or to the Video Preview window (for video files).

Note: To preview video files, you must have the Video Preview window open. To display the Video Preview window, choose Video Preview from the View menu.

1.Select a file in the Explorer window.

2.Click the Play button () to listen to the file.

3.Click the Stop button () or select a different file to stop previewing the file.

Tip: To automatically preview selected files, click the Auto Preview button () on the Explorer window’s transport bar.

Opening media

To open a media file into a new data window from the Explorer window, double-click the file. To open a media file in a specific data window, drag the media file from the Explorer window to the data window.

CHP. 4

GETTING STARTED