[Tip] Auto-Color your Tracks/Regions/Markers

Alez156 · 05-22-2016, 08:29 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keOH...-8SapS&index=5

Hope you guys enjoy this new tip! Now your tracks, markers, and regions can be auto colored with the amazing SWS extension feature. Not only you can set the colors, you can also set icons, layouts, and many other possibilities that would make your workflow way faster.

Mordi · 05-22-2016, 10:18 AM

I knew this existed, but it's cool to see it in action. This is probably my main feature for wanting to install SWS, but I still use Vanilla Reaper. Don't want to defile Reaper just yet.

Paul99 · 05-22-2016, 05:20 PM

Nice trick and well explained. Thank you!

vanhaze · 05-22-2016, 10:19 PM

Great tut, wasn't aware of that being possible in Reaper ; many thanks !

RobertP · 05-25-2016, 03:35 AM

thanks for this, very nice

I noticed you have TCP and MCP in your Auto color panel but no mention of it in the vid. I dont have those two columns and my SWS is up to date.

just curious..

Alez156 · 05-25-2016, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertP

thanks for this, very nice

I noticed you have TCP and MCP in your Auto color panel but no mention of it in the vid. I dont have those two columns and my SWS is up to date.

just curious..

I believe it is a new feature! Try dragging and expanding the window to see more columns, maybe?
And yeah, I didn't go over it since I haven't used it so much and I didn't feel like expanding the video even more since it wasn't related to coloring anyways.
I am planning to make a new video of it soon, though! I just have to mess around with it more.

Let me know if you can see it

Paul99 · 05-25-2016, 02:41 PM

So this is weird: at 2:44 I can see in your Filter list the option (record armed). But I don't have that option? I use Reaper v5.201 x64 with SWS 2.8.3.

Alez156 · 05-26-2016, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul99

So this is weird: at 2:44 I can see in your Filter list the option (record armed). But I don't have that option? I use Reaper v5.201 x64 with SWS 2.8.3.

Hey, man! Did you try upgrading your SWS extension? In this video I'm using SWS 2.8.7 - maybe that's why. Let me know if that works for you

I really love that one because you can also set a track layout for when you arm tracks to record. It is very neat!

Paul99 · 05-26-2016, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alez156

Hey, man! Did you try upgrading your SWS extension? In this video I'm using SWS 2.8.7 - maybe that's why. Let me know if that works for you

I really love that one because you can also set a track layout for when you arm tracks to record. It is very neat!

Ahhmmm...I usually stick to the official versions that's why I have v2.8.3 as the last official release. Okay, so I looked for newer SWS and found v2.8.6 and installed but no luck either. Where can I find v2.8.7?

Alez156 · 05-26-2016, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul99

Ahhmmm...I usually stick to the official versions that's why I have v2.8.3 as the last official release. Okay, so I looked for newer SWS and found v2.8.6 and installed but no luck either. Where can I find v2.8.7?

Go to Extensions > About SWS Extensions

Check the beta releases and then select "Check now" you should be linked to the pre-release website.

Hope it helps!

Paul99 · 05-26-2016, 12:55 PM

Okay, working now. I find the coloring of a recorded track very useful!
Thank you!

Paul99 · 05-27-2016, 05:15 AM

Wow, this feature to color an armed track is really great for me.
Thanks again and looking out for your next video King Alez156!

occultron · 12-12-2017, 02:43 AM

How does the automatic layout switching actually work?

I can write the name of the layout in the MCP/TCP field, but nothing happens for example when I set a rule for (folder) tracks and switch a track from normal to folder.

Right-clicking on the TCP/MCP field gives an empty context menu - is this because I'm using a non-default theme?

Also just tried writing the number of the layout into the field but that doesn't work either. Using RADO theme.

xpander · 12-13-2017, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by occultron

Right-clicking on the TCP/MCP field gives an empty context menu - is this because I'm using a non-default theme?

Right clicking over the TCP or MCP Layout field in Autocolor window should give you a menu with Up in priority/Down in priority. Non-default theme shouldn't make any difference there, but you'll have to write the whole layout name into those fields as it is written on the Layout list. This also means that specific autolayout rule will only work with themes where there is a layout with that name.

Remember to check "Enable auto track layout" under the Options button too, otherwise this won't work.

occultron · 12-13-2017, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xpander

Right clicking over the TCP or MCP Layout field in Autocolor window should give you a menu with Up in priority/Down in priority. Non-default theme shouldn't make any difference there, but you'll have to write the whole layout name into those fields as it is written on the Layout list. This also means that specific autolayout rule will only work with themes where there is a layout with that name.

Remember to check "Enable auto track layout" under the Options button too, otherwise this won't work.

Thanks for the tip. After a lot of trial and error I found a bug: you need to have "auto track coloring" enabled in addition to "auto track layout" even if you only have a layout rule change and no colors. With only "auto track layout" enabled nothing happens.

xpander · 12-13-2017, 02:49 PM

Ah, good find, thanks. I've always had the color option on, so didn't think of trying without it.

ejanejarr · 02-25-2020, 05:07 AM

Do you have to add a new rule for every word?

I color all my drums yellow, that's kick, snare, tom, hat, etc... and so on with keys, vocals, you get it.

I've tried everything like ", ; + & AND OR", whatever, so I could have one rule answer to different keywords. Nothing worked.

I guess I could just make a "DRUM" rule and then use it as a prefix for every track (DRUM Kick, DRUM Snare...)

Alez156 · 02-27-2020, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejanejarr

Do you have to add a new rule for every word?

I color all my drums yellow, that's kick, snare, tom, hat, etc... and so on with keys, vocals, you get it.

I've tried everything like ", ; + & AND OR", whatever, so I could have one rule answer to different keywords. Nothing worked.

I guess I could just make a "DRUM" rule and then use it as a prefix for every track (DRUM Kick, DRUM Snare...)

If you use folders, you can make your (children) track to be the color of 'Parent'

ejanejarr · 02-29-2020, 03:06 AM

That will help, thanks!

Strombo · 11-05-2022, 09:05 AM

Old thread, I know, but does anyone know of a way to assign hot keys to specific colours? Like function keys, etc. Thanks! James

vitalker · 11-05-2022, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strombo

Old thread, I know, but does anyone know of a way to assign hot keys to specific colours? Like function keys, etc. Thanks! James

Use "SWS: Open color management window" action, then Set custom colors.
After setting colors enter "sws: set to custom color" without quotes into filter box. Now assign shortcuts for actions you need.