Traffic FAQ

Updates to your copy of Traffic can be obtained by clicking here. Note: Traffic updates are password protected.

What is Traffic?

Traffic is a node-based non-linear editor. It is a new kind of software which allows you do all sorts of things which are tedious or impossible in the traditional timeline interface, like control the rate of every dissolve within a sequence, or loop sequences like a musician.

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Is Traffic a plug-in?

No. Traffic is a stand-alone application which reads and writes the popular XML Interchange format.

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Does Traffic work with Avid?

It can, but not natively, as AVID (as of September 2005) has not announced any plans to support the XML Interchange format. Using software from Automatic Duck, one could conceivably translate their AVID AAF files into Final Cut Pro, and then export as XML. The process would then be reversed once Traffic did it’s magic.

This process has not yet been tested and as such is not supported in the current version of Traffic. Native support of AVID projects is on the docket. Please feel free to contact avid.traffic@xmxedit.com and voice your support for an AVID supported release.

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Does Traffic work with Premiere Pro?

It can, but not natively. Using software from Automatic Duck, one could translate their Premiere Projects into Final Cut Pro, and then export as XML. The process would then be reversed once Traffic did it’s magic. Traffic runs on Mac OS X only, so a qualified Apple computer would be necessary to run Traffic. Please feel free to contact premiere.traffic@xmxedit.com and voice your support for a Premiere Pro supported release.

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What software currently supports the XML Interchange format?

While this is probably not an exhaustive list, the software we know about includes:

  • Final Cut Pro
  • Discreet Smoke
  • Discreet Fire
  • Discreet Lustre
  • Silicon Color FinalTouch HD
  • Media 100i
  • Media 100 844/x
  • Media 100 iFinish
  • Color Finesse (Synthetic Aperture)
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How do I purchase Traffic?

Download the demo version here. Before downloading Traffic, you’ll need to register your name and valid email address. A link with downloading instructions will be emailed to you within a few minutes.

Once you have installed Traffic, you will have 30 days to evaluate the software. You may purchase it during that time by selecting “Purchase Traffic…� under the Help Menu. Once the 30 day trial period has expired you may select “Purchase� on the splash screen. You will be prompted to enter some information, including your Credit Card number. Once your Credit Card purchase has been approved it will unlock the software and all of the handicapping features will be removed.

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Why a Node based Non-Linear editor? What’s wrong with the timeline?

Nothing is wrong with the timeline. It’s a great interface for most things. But we discovered there were many, many things editors were doing that were better suited away from the timeline. For instance, changing the font on a lower third is not much of a problem, but often editors will hold off slugging in lower thirds until a font has been decided on because it is just too much trouble to go through every super and change the font (or font color, or fade up time or fade down time).

With Traffic, the editor can globally control those variables at once. Change the font once, and the font on every super in their sequence will change. Or programmatically control which lower thirds get changed and which don’t. Traffic handles other tedious work well like generating slates and looping sequences in order to create multiple versions of a cut.

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May I develop my own Plug-In Nodes for Traffic?
Certainly. Contact developer@xmedit.com for details. Several plug-ins are currently in development and we’d like to avoid duplicating functionality on the developer end of things.
Does xm|Edit make any other software?

Several other applications utilizing the Traffic core functionality are in development. They will dovetail into the Traffic framework and provide a collaborative and powerful environment for content creation. Details will be posted on the xm|Edit website as they develop.

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Support Options


Support Forum

If you can’t find what you need in the FAQ or wish to check tips and suggestions from other users, check the Support Forum. There are plenty of helpful people there to answer your questions and provide information. You can also email techsupport@xmedit.com and give them a try.


Live Chat

If a member of the Traffic Support Team is available, the Live Chat link will say "Available" below it. If you click on that link, it will open a chat window with a real live Traffic Support human being. They should be able to answer any of your questions. Even if they are away or offline, you may still click on the link and leave them a message.


Tech Support Email

When you have a real tough problem, these are the guys to write. Feel free to get them live if the Live Chat link says "Online" above. If not, just drop them an email and they'll do their best to help you out.