Library Concepts and Overview

Basic Library Model

VisiTrax supports a consistent and straightforward library model, in which any recording library is treated as a set of identifiable volumes, each containing one or more individual tracks. Both volumes and tracks can be assigned numbers for quick reference.

Volume Numbering (Locator Indexing)

The volume numbering method used by VisiTrax is simple, yet very effective for keeping a growing library physically organized. Each volume can be assigned a unique locator index, displayed primarily in the form AANNNN, where AA denotes a pair of letters you assign for each media format, and NNNN denotes four digits, as in "CD0234".

To support multi-volume sets, such as a CD jewel case containing a set of 3 CDs, you can use the extended form AANNNN.D, where D is a single digit from 1 to 9. By using this numbering method, you can assign numbers such as CD0230.1, CD0230.2, and CD0230.3 to the individual discs, labeling the case containing them as CD0230.

The easiest way to use volume numbers is simply to assign them in sequence (regardless of title or artist), keep things physically arranged by assigned volume number, and let VisiTrax take care of alphabetization. To look things up alphabetically without your computer, just keep an alphabetized VisiTrax printout handy.

Since VisiTrax automatically keeps track of all unused index numbers, it's also easy to assign distinct index numbers even when they're not strictly in sequence. For example, if you wish to divide your index numbers into special groupings (e.g. CD0001-CD1999, CD2000-CD4999, etc.), you'll be able to select the next available index in each such range, without having to type it in. This is explained in our topic on adding a new volume.

Note that VisiTrax has a handy feature that lets you resequence a range of volume index numbers. This also can be used to automatically assign index numbers to a group of non-numbered volumes. (See Volumes View.)

Although assigning locator indexes is optional, it's very easy to do in VisiTrax, and your listings will tend to be more useful. For example, if you sequentially label and arrange your CDs by locator index as suggested above, it's much easier to find where a particular CD belongs, or to spot a missing CD.

Track Indexing

Within a given volume, each track can be assigned a track number. This of course is quite natural for media such as CDs and album sides, for which sequential track numbering is standard.

By combining track indexing with volume locator indexing, you have a very concise and consistent way to represent any track in your library. For example, "CD0532-2" would indicate track 2 on the volume identified as CD0532. In a box of singles or a set of videos, you might want the track index number to refer to an individual single or video, so that, for example, "SG0032-46" would be the single in box 32, slot 46. (Alternatively, for videos, you might wish to assign a volume number to each one, and use tracks to contain detailed information such as producer, director, cast members, and so on.)

For two-sided media, such as phonograph records or tape cassettes, you can use the letter A or B before or after the index number to denote side A or B. For example, you might have an LP album with tracks indexed as A1-A8 and B1-B12, or a box of single 45 RPM records indexed as 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, and so on. For a multi-disc album, a given track might then be fully identified, for example, as "LP0123.1-A2" – meaning disc 1, side A, second track, of the album identifed as "LP0123".

VisiTrax allows two or more track entries to share the same index number. This might be useful, for example, if you have a track commonly attributed to two or more different artist names: just make two entries for the same track, each with its own artist name. [Index number "0", by the way, means "no assigned index" (same as blank).]

Track index numbers can range from 1 to 9999, A1 to A9999, B1 to B9999, or 1A to 9999B.

Viewing Your Library

VisiTrax provides three distinct types of views into your entire library database:

These views are easily accessible via multi-sheet tabs, as shown below. To access a desired view, simply click on its tab (or use the corresponding View menu option, Ctrl-Tab, or the left/right-arrow keys).

Playlists

Another view, accessed via the Playlist tab as shown below, supports working with playlists. Clicking this tab will display a Playlist View, which lists the contents of a selected subset of tracks (a playlist), sorted by playing sequence.

An Example Library

To help you get started, we've included an example library database named Example.trx. When you install VisiTrax for the first time, this example library is opened for you automatically. To access it later on, simply open it and you'll be greeted with a view listing its contents.

NOTE

Be sure to save your own library data to its own file, not to the example library file!

Entering and Changing Library Data

To enter new data into your library, you can start with an existing library file, or you can start a new library file from scratch. You can then create a  new volumeentry for each CD, album, etc. Once a new volume entry is created, you can populate it with one or more new track entries. If you have a CD-ROM drive and an Internet connection, the CD Player View can be used to quickly add CDs to your library database, often with little or no typing required on your part.  If Winamp v5 is installed on your PC, you also can quickly import MP3 and other audio file tracks from its playlist directly into your VisiTrax database.

Lastly, you can update an existing volume or update an existing track at any time, undelete volumes or tracks you've just deleted by accident, and  exchange databetween VisiTrax and other applications.