A VEG file acts as a lightweight non-destructive project record in VEGAS Pro, storing only references to imported clips rather than embedding any footage, while keeping metadata and every editing action—from trim points to transitions and color tweaks—so the file stays small and depends on the original media, which VEGAS Pro reloads when opened, producing missing-file alerts if clips were moved, and no real video is generated until rendering, since playback always pulls from the source files.

Rendering is the step that turns edits into a real video, because VEGAS Pro reads the source files, applies the VEG instructions, and exports to formats such as MP4 or MOV, while deleting the VEG file keeps the media safe but removes the editable project, proving that the VEG file is more of a recipe than a completed video, and it cannot act as one since it only informs VEGAS Pro how to preview edits until everything is finalized in export.

Rendering is the point where the stored instructions finally become real video, as the software processes each frame in order, applies every cut, transition, effect, color fix, and audio tweak from the VEG file, and then encodes everything into formats like MP4, MOV, or AVI, producing a self-contained file that plays anywhere without relying on project paths, leaving the VEG file editable but not deliverable, while the rendered file is deliverable but not editable in the same way, and deleting the VEG loses all edit decisions but keeps the video intact, whereas deleting the video still allows re-rendering as long as the VEG and media exist, making the VEG file the master document and rendering the irreversible step that creates the final product.

When a VEG file is opened, VEGAS Pro starts by interpreting the saved project blueprint that reflect the last saved editing state, without importing any footage, using the VEG file to identify tracks, timing, effects, transitions, and global settings, then checking file paths to locate the original media so it can reconstruct the timeline, prompting you only if something has been moved or renamed because the VEG file contains directions, not the media itself.

When media links successfully, VEGAS Pro builds the preview on the fly to combine the source footage with transitions, effects, color work, and audio processing, which stresses system resources and doesn’t generate a finished video, allowing unlimited edits and serving only to reopen the project environment so you can continue working until you choose to render the final output To check out more info regarding advanced VEG file handler have a look at our own web site. .