How do I use variables when exporting?

This article will explain how to use variables when creating filenames or folders during export. If you’d like to know more about what variables are, see About Harmony Premium variables.

About using variables

When using variables in filenames, it is important to know the following:

• All variables must start with $, or it will not be recognised as a variable.
• Correct spelling is important, but capitalization is not.
• Variables and regular naming can be combined. Separate them with an underscore if you want spaces between them. E.g: $Job$SceneNew or $Job_$Scene_New
• Some variables allow you to add padding information, represented by something that looks like (%00d) in the Harmony variable pop-up.
• Variables can be used in the Folder and Filename fields of the following nodes:
  • Write node (Image Sequence and Movie sections)
  • CryptoMatte-Write
  • Multi-Layer-Write

Step 1: Open the Layer Properties of the node

1. In the Node view, open the Layer Properties of whatever write node you are using to set up your export by clicking on the node’s yellow box.

2. In the Output tab of the properties, find the Image Filename and Image Folder fields.

3. Hover over the space of one of these fields to see available variables. You can also see a list of these in the About Harmony Premium variables. article.

Option 1: Using variables in filenames

1. In the Image Filename field, type in the variables you would like to use in the exported filename. Make sure to include the $ symbol and spell the variable correctly.

2. If you want to use multiple variables, type them one after the other or separate them using an underscore.

3. Add padding to specific variables if needed.

4. Add any other names or numbers you want to the beginning or end of the name. This can also be done using the Start and Leading Zeros fields if you want sequential naming.

5. Hover over the Filename field again to see a preview of the name in the variable pop-up. This helps to find mistakes before exporting.

6. Adjust the name as needed and export as usual once done.

Option 2: Using variables to create folders

1. In the Image Folder field, choose the path where you want to create the export folder using the Choose… button.
2. Once the folder is chosen, the path will appear in the field. 

3. Click on the path and use the right arrow key to navigate to the end of the path and insert a forward slash (/).

4. After the forward slash, insert the variables to create the name of your folder. Make sure to include the $ symbol and spell the variable correctly.

5. If you want to use multiple variables, type them one after the other or separate them using an underscore, and add padding to specific variables if needed.
6. Add any other names or numbers you want to the beginning or end of the name. 

7. Hover over the Folder field again to see a preview of the name in the variable pop-up. This helps to find mistakes before exporting.

8. Adjust the name as needed and export as usual once done. The folder will be created during export.

Q&A 

Question: 

Why didn’t my variables work?

Answers: 

Check the following:

1. That you included the $ symbol before each variable.
2. That the variable is spelled correctly. Variables use American English.
3. If the variable has padding, make sure that the padding is used with a compatible variable, is placed on the end of the variable with no spaces, is inside round brackets and is in the format (%00d).
4. That the variables are being used with a node that supports them (Write node, CryptoMatte-Write, Multi-Layer-Write).