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FCP7 sequence to FCPX timeline proof of concept (an XCoder can make it happen)
So this idea came to me in the shower today…
If FCP X can import iMovie projects, why not create a FCP 7 XML to iMovie converter, and therefore a FCP X converter? So after some digging, it turns out iMovie projects (inside the package) are simply Binary XML Plist files and are somewhat human readable. FCP 7 XMLs of course are simple XML files so the conversion should be possible.
So I did a quick proof of concept test:
1. Imported a clip and created a simple edit in iMovie. Split the clip, created a cutaway (connected clip in FCP X), added cross dissolve and 2 markers.
2. Closed iMovie and open the “project” file inside the package for the iMovie project in PlistEditPro.
3. In PlistEditPro changed the duration of the first clip to 30 frames (from 200). Changed the names of the markers and moved the markers to different frames. Changed the path of the first clip to point to different media. Saved.
4. in FCP X imported the modified iMovie project and all the changes worked. New media, new durations, moved and renamed markers!iMovie:
FCP X
PlistEditPro
The rest of this process is over my head at the moment, but I could see a fairly simple app that would convert FCP 7 XML to iMovie. The app would have to figure out clip connections, convert transitions, etc. The difficulty would be anything beyond video track 2, or audio track 2, but my guess is that you can throw as many connected clips as possible (or cutaways as the iMovie XML calls them) and FCP X would just stack them as needed.
So whoever has some XCODE skills, take this ball and run!
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T. Payton
OneCreative, Albuquerque -
1 Reply
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Dude. Excellent work!
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