# 6. File Versioning

**Description**

A file versioning system allows PHOTON users to automatically specify which version of a file will be linked to a Timeline’s Media Clip.

**Requirement**

File versions have to respect the following naming convention:

*anyfilename* \_V###

For example, multiple versions of a media named *nightsky* would be named *:* nightsky\_V001, nightsky\_V002, Nightsky\_V003, etc.

**Settings**

1. Select {System > Settings} or press \[Alt+S] to open the Settings module.
2. Select the General tab of the Settings module.
3. Select File Manager Settings panel from the list.
4. Locate the Preferred section.
5. Activate the \[Enable Preferred Version] toggle.
6. Activate the \[Preferred Latest Version] toggle.

![](https://3367113289-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LeXMIIOxhtPAaUBekVt%2F-MYpM-_v8T-2UqJafw--%2F-MYpMmYSzpyf2Qr0RVgo%2F_Settings_General_Settings.png?alt=media\&token=ae796118-22d3-42cd-b3f2-7477b89e548d)

**File Manager**

1. Select {Show > File Manager} or press \[Alt+F] to open the File Manager module.
2. Click on the Import New Media button to open the “Import file(s)” window
3. Perform a group selection of the multiple versions of the media file. (Naming convention: *anyfilename* \_V###).

![](https://3367113289-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LeXMIIOxhtPAaUBekVt%2F-MYpMrlxnBRVO4BBSb4r%2F-MYpNInz5K2avHYV1n5m%2F_File_Manager.png?alt=media\&token=82c4b3bb-22b1-4c1f-8c66-b7bd15156d62)

**Timeline**

1. Select {Show > Timeline} or press \[Alt+T] to open the Timeline module.
2. Make sure the File Manager module is still open.
3. \[Click-drag] a media file included in the version collection from the File Manager list onto the Timeline.
4. If the {Preferred Latest Version} toggle is activated, the latest imported version will be displayed. A star will be displayed in the clip icons indicating a newer or preferred version is in use.

![](https://3367113289-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LeXMIIOxhtPAaUBekVt%2F-MYpMrlxnBRVO4BBSb4r%2F-MYpN8CYozOieKcbB08W%2F_Timeline.png?alt=media\&token=1bd6baec-75df-4e2d-b3c1-1d3b40372819)

**Select/Unset Preferred Version in the File Manager**

1. Navigate back to the File Manager.
2. Right-click on the version you want to use.
3. Select {set preferred} from the contextual menu. A Mario star will now indicate it is the preferred version.

OR

1. Select {Unset Prefered} from the contextual menu. The selection will default back to the latest version if the \[Preferred Latest Version] toggle is activated or the version currently set in the clip if the \[Preferred Latest Version] toggle is deactivated.

![](https://3367113289-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LeXMIIOxhtPAaUBekVt%2F-MYpNbYLibjEz15Aw27W%2F-MYpNrQs_cwqKeDx6Ix2%2FSET%20PREFFERED.png?alt=media\&token=71ffd075-d48f-4c3b-82e2-276baecd348a)

\
**Warning: This will be applied to ALL clips using one of the media in that collection.**