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Media Management in FCP X
Hi all,
I have run into an issue with importing files in FCP X. I am working off an MacBook Pro ’17 with 8gb RAM and FCP X 10.0.4 (bought the program the day before yesterday)
When I import files from say, a GoPro, whose directory I have copied to my drive in it’s entirety. I need to use the import file option correct? To begin with I used the import from camera option, but found that if I unmounted that GoPro in the import from camera window (clicking the little icon on the right that universally stands for ‘eject’), it took my clips offline.
Also, I want FCP X to create Pro Res versions of my files. I know that it creates reference files in its “Original Files” folder, but does it automatically shift to the pro res files once they are created?
Thanks ahead of time!
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2 Replies
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Make sure you have copy to event checked on in preferences and that you have optimize media checked on.
All the best,
Tom
“Final Cut Pro X for iMovie and Final Cut Express Users” from Focal Press
“Complete Training for FCPX” from Class on Demand
Class on Demand DVDs “Complete Training for FCP7,” “Basic Training for FCS” and “Final Cut Express Made Easy” -
[Stephen Dale] “When I import files from say, a GoPro, whose directory I have copied to my drive in it’s entirety.”
This phrase scares me. Doing finder copies is a poor practice in X. What you might define as “the directory” or “entirety” might not be what X defines that way. The best practice is to use either the built in capability in X to make disk images – or use Apple’s Disk Utility to make Images of your cards. These can then be duplicated and when re-launched will e-create the proper directory structure to re-link media into X every time.
[Stephen Dale] “To begin with I used the import from camera option, but found that if I unmounted that GoPro in the import from camera window (clicking the little icon on the right that universally stands for ‘eject’), it took my clips offline. “
Yes, this is how X works. It can work with mounted external files, then when those files are un-mounted, they disappear. There are two strategies for keeping clips persistent. One is to have X generate and keep copies in the localized FCP-X folder on the drive where the program resides. This is fine until you run out of space.
The other strategy (and the one I personally prefer) is to keep the Program itself on your Root Drive, but create most of your Projects and Events on an External Drive. If that Drive is an external portable, X will gladly “see” and mount those projects whenever the drive is present – and they’ll remain off-line when unmounted.
This prevents you having to use the Move Command to clear space when drives are filling up with projects.
[Stephen Dale] “Also, I want FCP X to create Pro Res versions of my files. I know that it creates reference files in its “Original Files” folder, but does it automatically shift to the pro res files once they are created? “
X is quite smart about re-linking to different files when they’re present – provided they are where the program expects them to be. Switching from ProRes to Proxy files, for example is quite fast if both files have been pre-generated and are in the proper folders.
If not, then the first time you switch the programs mode to that of a footage type it doesn’t have prepared, it can take significant time to create them. But it’s typically a one time thing.
Hope that helps.
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