Avid DS
A to Z
Note: Avid has recently reorganized its own website to help DS users find fixes to common problems. While this resource is helpful and does have non-Avid solutions, many of the questions we face may be answered in a search query at
Avid's Knowledge Base
Note: This document was originally compiled by Phil Mastman for versions of the Avid DS up to and including version 6.x. It is now in the slow process of being updated to the most current version. In the meantime, there are a number of items that have changed since version 6.x that are not reflected in this knowledge base. If you'd like to change them, feel free to do so. If you'd like to report them, send me a detailed e-mail (David Tarr) and I'll see that it is taken care of. Thank You.
Originally compiled by
Phil Mastman of Sandlot Pictures, Inc.
“Creativity is non-linear. Visual artists do not segment compositing, paint, and editing in
their heads when they are realizing a vision. They just think it, and then figure out how to
do it, and when I'm on a roll, I still think DS is still the best overall tool for that.”
–Lucas Wilson
This document contains information that has not necessarily been verified to be accurate. The editors have done their uttermost to expand on this knowledge base and to verify accuracy and to update it as time permits and as we get more information about current versions of the DS and its quirks. Avid does not stand behind this Wiki and neither does SoftImage. Any errors are inadvertent and not intentional, please use this knowledge base at your own risk.
Special Thanks:
From Phil Mastman: Thanks to Charles Meyer at NAD Centre, Montreal, Brandon Kraemer, Avid’s Sylvain Labrosse and the many incredibly knowledgeable contributors to the online DS user group.
Revised: Jun 11, 2008 4:10 pm