# How to use Shade with Adobe Premiere Pro

## **Remote Collaboration with Adobe Premiere Pro**

ShadeFS enables seamless remote collaboration in **Adobe Premiere Pro** by eliminating the need for downloads, syncs, or relinking media. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to use ShadeFS efficiently for various Premiere Pro workflows.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/ARfyYCLPZ0w?si=Xe20tEZ6Lp-fUihk&t=74>" %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Depending on your internet connection, bandwidth, and file types, we recommend adopting a proxy or a reduced playback resolution workflow. For more information on typical internet and bandwidth considerations, see [Understanding Internet Speeds and ShadeFS Storage](https://app.gitbook.com/s/UNq6h2Bfw7aAK0J2ffnZ/shadefs/understanding-internet-speeds-and-shadefs-storage "mention")
{% endhint %}

***

### **Setting Up Your Shade Drive for Premiere Pro**

#### **Step 1: Connect to ShadeFS**

* Ensure your **Shade app** is installed and running.
* Mount the Drive that you're looking for and ensure that it shows up properly in finder.&#x20;
* Navigate to the designated project folder.

#### **Step 2: Organize Your Project Folder**

{% hint style="info" %}
These are only recommendations, if you have a specific project template, feel free to follow suit. We will use this for the rest of the proxy steps
{% endhint %}

* Create a **main project folder** within the Drive.
* Inside the main folder, create subfolders:
  * `/Projects` - Store Premiere project files here.
  * `/Media` - High-resolution footage storage.
  * `/Proxies` - Lower-resolution proxy files for remote editing.
  * `/Exports` - Final rendered outputs.

#### **Step 3: Enable Project Locking (Optional)**

* Open Premiere Pro > **Preferences** > **Collaboration**.
* Enable **Project Locking** to prevent overwrites.
* Assign a **username** so others can identify project owners.

***

### **Working with Premiere Pro Project Types in ShadeFS**

ShadeFS enhances the three main ways of working in Premiere Pro:

#### **A. Individual Projects**

* Save `.prproj` files directly into the **Projects** folder.
* No need to relink media—Premiere recognizes all files instantly.
* If multiple users open a project, **only the first editor** can modify it, while others get **read-only** access.

#### **B. Premiere Productions**

* Organize large projects with multiple editors using **Productions**.
* Store **Production folders** directly in the Filespace.
* Editors work on individual project files within the Production without version conflicts.

#### **C. Team Projects**

* Continue using Premiere **Team Projects** while storing media in ShadeFS.
* Eliminates the need for downloading media locally.
* Ensures real-time collaboration without re-uploading assets.

***

## Ingest Workflow 1: Reduced Playback Resolution (1/2, 1/4, 1/8)

{% hint style="success" %}
This method greatly reduces the need to generate proxies, store additional data and offers users quick speed and one timeline to work with! We highly recommend this ingest workflow
{% endhint %}

To reduce the amount of data and to not require generating proxies, you can opt to adjust your timeline specs to play back at 1/2, 1/4, or 1/8 resolution. This can help when editing larger files and can be found right above the proxy button. This can work well with large files like .MXFs and 4K footage when you're just making the initial cut.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://827528378-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrmQUydhvorNtENpweN0e%2Fuploads%2FpXe3j7kDf7GkXjB3cuSq%2FScreenshot%202025-02-25%20at%203.13.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=61fd454f-479b-4981-b96a-7db46e02523c" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

## **Ingest Workflow 2: Creating Proxies in Premiere Pro**

Using **Premiere Pro’s ingest workflow**, you can create and store **frame-accurate proxies** alongside full-resolution files directly on ShadeFS.

{% hint style="info" %}
We highly recommend creating proxies from the original footage locally before uploading to Shade to maximize speed and time to edit.&#x20;

However, if you've already copied footage, you can use Shade's built-in edit-ready h.264 proxies
{% endhint %}

### **Step 1: Configure Your Folders**

1. Open your **Shade Drive** and navigate to the project folder.
2. Create two subfolders:
   * `/Media/HighRes` for full-resolution files.
   * `/Media/Proxies` for proxy media.

### **Step 2: Configure Premiere’s Ingest Settings**

1. Open **Premiere Pro** and create a new project.
2. Set the **Project Save Location** inside the `/Projects` folder on ShadeFS.
3. Go to **Project Settings > Ingest Settings**.
4. Enable **Ingest** and select **Copy and Create Proxies**.
5. Choose the following destinations:
   * **Primary Folder:** `/Media/HighRes`
   * **Proxy Folder:** `/Media/Proxies`
6. Click **OK** to apply the settings.

<figure><img src="https://827528378-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrmQUydhvorNtENpweN0e%2Fuploads%2FacaWUbQUjhrko8ZkadNy%2FScreenshot%202025-02-15%20at%203.24.21%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e6ff033f-ae2e-4b24-a866-30ca3adf8c41" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### **Step 3: Import & Generate Proxies**

1. Insert the **camera media card** into your system.
2. Open **Premiere Pro** and navigate to **Media Browser**.
3. Select your clips and click **Import**.
4. Premiere will automatically **copy full-resolution files** to `/Media/HighRes` and create proxies in `/Media/Proxies` using **Adobe Media Encoder**.
5. Monitor progress in **Premiere Pro’s progress bar** or **ShadeFS upload status**.
6. Begin editing using **proxy mode** for smoother performance.

### **Using Shade's Proxies:**

If you've already uploaded your media to Shade, you can also use Shade's edit ready 1080p proxies (more information about them can be found at [Proxy Generation and Complex Previews](https://app.gitbook.com/s/UNq6h2Bfw7aAK0J2ffnZ/assets/markdown "mention")). They even support mono and multi-channel audio.

You can easily download proxies for these files once they're all generated by right clicking the folder that you're looking to download and selecting "Download proxies".

Once the proxies are downloaded and placed into the Shade drive, you can attach the proxies to the original resolution media.

<figure><img src="https://827528378-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrmQUydhvorNtENpweN0e%2Fuploads%2Fyh0zWzntCp9OS1hxTPQT%2FScreenshot%202025-02-15%20at%203.27.47%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=b72de4d3-cba1-4cb7-b951-d17c004a818d" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

### **Optimizing Adobe Premiere Pro for ShadeFS**

#### **Step 1: Disable Automatic Audio Waveform Generation**

* Navigate to **Preferences > Audio**.
* Disable **Automatic Audio Waveform Generation t**o prevent unnecessary file preloading.

<figure><img src="https://827528378-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrmQUydhvorNtENpweN0e%2Fuploads%2F1w61LvWs0i87Y96vweKd%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a50d1424-e9ab-4625-8e2d-9588e5e2f03b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### **Step 1.5: Disable Media Analysis**

{% hint style="info" %}
If you prefer to use Adobe's AI, you will need to pin the files as Adobe reads the entire file upfront
{% endhint %}

* Navigate to **Media Analysis & Transcription**.
* Disable **Analyze all imported media to search for visuals** or audio to prevent unnecessary file preloading.
* Disable **Automatically transcribe clips**

<figure><img src="https://827528378-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrmQUydhvorNtENpweN0e%2Fuploads%2FajtGf3EHSGOVsdXbS6HH%2FScreenshot%202026-04-02%20at%2011.35.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=87808a46-aa4d-48c5-9be0-00eab84ba52a" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### **Step 2: Enable Project Locking for Team Collaboration**

1. Open **Preferences > Collaboration**.
2. Enable **Project Locking**.
3. Enter your **username** to display for team members.

<figure><img src="https://827528378-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrmQUydhvorNtENpweN0e%2Fuploads%2FuOiACl6CrahuiMHfk7Ne%2FScreenshot%202025-02-15%20at%203.11.59%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=0702dea5-7ee0-4e51-b9a4-a9510104d31f" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### **Step 3: Use Proxy Mode for Faster Editing**

* Toggle **proxy mode** via the **button editor** in Premiere.
* Switch between **full-resolution** and **proxy files** instantly.

<figure><img src="https://827528378-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrmQUydhvorNtENpweN0e%2Fuploads%2FDPJrx7NYHR92gI5JAWj8%2FScreenshot%202025-02-15%20at%203.12.35%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=9eb37e17-31c3-4e70-9ee3-13a36ed96dcb" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Additional Optimizations for the Best Performance <a href="#h_529dfdf0a2" id="h_529dfdf0a2"></a>

### Set your scratch disks to a local drive <a href="#h_529dfdf0a2" id="h_529dfdf0a2"></a>

For best performance when working on Shade Storage, we recommend setting your scratch disks to a fast local drive. Under Project Settings, navigate to Scratch Disks and change the scratch disk location.

For more information about Premiere Pro Scratch Disks and its use case, see [here](https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-elements/using/scratch-disks.html)

{% hint style="info" %}
You can also save scratch disks alongside the project for quick switching between team members. To ensure smooth performance, we recommend pinning the scratch disk folders in advance as this will automatically sync.&#x20;

Check out [this great video](https://youtu.be/rd4WFU3Cw4E?si=iLMNIohNJYEGasaQ) on how to configure this for Premiere team projects
{% endhint %}

### Optimize Rendering for Performance <a href="#h_c62248d742" id="h_c62248d742"></a>

Allocate as much Random-access memory (RAM) as you can spare

<figure><img src="https://827528378-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrmQUydhvorNtENpweN0e%2Fuploads%2FiYP33uMyAUE0IT1uJn3r%2FScreenshot%202025-02-15%20at%203.20.37%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a8a7aa99-690a-4324-b0ad-a70ffc7c8344" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Disable Mercury Transmit <a href="#h_8ceb82e722" id="h_8ceb82e722"></a>

To reduce RAM utilization - you should disable Mercury Transmit.

<figure><img src="https://827528378-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrmQUydhvorNtENpweN0e%2Fuploads%2FygsF4yFY4tQhbItKclvC%2FScreenshot%202025-02-15%20at%203.20.01%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c535b86a-3319-49fa-9957-e2973a47bbe1" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Disable XMP ID (Extensible Metadata Platform) <a href="#h_af8d1dab37" id="h_af8d1dab37"></a>

When working off shared storage like ShadeFS, Adobe recommends turning off XMP ID to improve performance. To do this, go to Preferences > Media and uncheck:

• Write XMP ID to Files on Import

• Write Clip Markers to XMP

This will help reduce unnecessary metadata writing, ensuring smoother performance in shared environments.

<figure><img src="https://827528378-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrmQUydhvorNtENpweN0e%2Fuploads%2FdbgkVuAhrMfGP2azOm8Y%2FScreenshot%202025-02-15%20at%203.19.36%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=147a3eba-0d56-4373-8b67-39279f3fe1ab" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

If you do require XMP IDs, we recommend following a process like below:

* Open Preferences > Media and check "Write XMP ID to files on import" is enabled
* Import the media (the ID is written into XMP)
* Share the media files to the other editors

### Disable "Automatically Refresh Growing Files" <a href="#h_239eca27df" id="h_239eca27df"></a>

Unless you are doing live productions, we recommend turning off refresh growing files. To turn it off, go to Preferences > Media, then uncheck Automatically Refresh Growing Files under your Project Settings.

<figure><img src="https://827528378-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrmQUydhvorNtENpweN0e%2Fuploads%2F7lTxN3G6u9HTDX65BEBi%2FScreenshot%202025-02-15%20at%203.17.29%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d456797a-82df-4165-8ba2-8ee0f67a92a5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Media Cache Location <a href="#h_2be52120ae" id="h_2be52120ae"></a>

To maximize playback performance, go to Preferences > Media Cache and select an internal SSD as your cache file location. This allows for quicker media access and a smoother editing workflow. This is typically set to an internal location  on the computer by default.

<figure><img src="https://827528378-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FrmQUydhvorNtENpweN0e%2Fuploads%2FGcq0okSBMLpG139ELrAc%2FScreenshot%202025-02-15%20at%203.18.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a129cf01-a362-48a7-98b7-d2430b5bd628" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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