Batch Rename and Relinking Media

[Jeremy Garchow]

[Sandeep Sajeev] “Does a Batch Rename in the Event Library maintain the correct relationship to the source footage further down the line?

For instance, say the H.264 Camera Source clip is A001_C001_123456.MOV.

-I run it through MPEG Streamclip and end up with a ProRes file.

-During the edit, I modify the clip name to ‘Pack Shot Track In the Event Library.

-6 Months later, after I’ve deleted the ProRes footage and the client requests a change, will the Event Library point back to the original clip, ie A001_C001_123456.MOV ?”

Hey, Sandeep.

First, I will qualify that I haven’t had a chance to run through every single permutation of media management scenario with X.

If you bring in h264 material to X, then bring in a ProRes copy of that material to X that was made in a third party app, X will treat that footage as two separate elements.

My advice would be to let X make the ProRes movies, and then both the h264 and ProRes movies will be tracked by the FCPX database. You can delete the ProRes movies, and have X recreate them at any time.

Renaming the movies using the tools in X is completely non destructive.  In my testing (which doesn’t include every single scenario) everything has always reconnected as long as you import to FCPX first, then create your optimized media from there.

Please let me know if that makes sense.

Jeremy

[Sandeep Sajeev]

Thanks Jeremy. I think I inadvertently misled you about the H264, ProRes files.

MPEG Streamclip is part of our DSLR workflow –

– add Timecode in Grinder,
– Batch Rename
– Transcode to ProRes, and then Import.

What I meant was I edit the name of the file in the Event Library, the film goes out to the client, and six months later they want another edit, so we then Transcode the relevant material again from the Rushes.

I know that in earlier versions changing the Clip Name in the Browser was a recipe for disaster in terms of Relinking Media.

As with your testing, the quick Batch Rename test that I ran in FCPX also pointed to the Original Unmodified ProRes file in the Finder. So it does seem to keep that relationship. If this is consistent behaviour, then it’s absolutely fantastic.

Are you using FCPX on your TVC edits? In client driven sessions? I’m not too worried about the material once it’s in the Timeline, I do like a lot of what I see in terms of functionality, but am trying to wrap my head around the Project Management side of X.

[Tony Sarafoski]

Sandeep,

I just tested this for you, and I’d like to confirm this workflow works without hitch.

This is how I tested it:

1. I transcoded a h.264 clip using MPEG Streamclip to a folder on my desktop as a ProRes LT file.
2. I opened FCPX (which created a new event) and imported the transcoded MPEG Streamclip clip.
3. I then closed FCPX and went ahead and deleted the transcoded MPEG Streamclip clip. Now when you re-open FCPX, the clip shows as being offline, as expected.
4. I then re-transcoded the same clip, making sure it transcoded to the exact same folder, and when I opened FC, this clip automatically re-linked itself and was able to continue where I left off.

There are a few important step that need to be followed though. You’ll need to make sure when re-transcoding the clips that there transcoded to exactly the same folder, if you want FCPX to automatically re-link the media. If you don’t, then you’ll have to relink these yourself in X. Apart from that I think you should have no problem.

Also I forgot to mention, modifying the clip name inside of X does not effect the original clip name at the finder level.

[Jeremy Garchow]

[Sandeep Sajeev] “What I meant was I edit the name of the file in the Event Library, the film goes out to the client, and six months later they want another edit, so we then Transcode the relevant material again from the Rushes. “

Hi, Sandeep.

More questions for you as I want to be sure I am understanding.

Why use MPEG Streamclip when you have Grinder? Doesn’t Grinder transcode?

[Sandeep Sajeev] “I know that in earlier versions changing the Clip Name in the Browser was a recipe for disaster in terms of Relinking Media.”

So far, this has seemed to have changed, but again, there’s many ways to work in FCPX contrary to popular belief.

When you do your Grinder routine you have:

-Original camera media
-Timecoded h264
-ProRes movies made from the Timecoded h264

You are wondering if you start an edit with the Timecoded h264, if you can later relink to ProRes h264?

Or do you just use the ProRes as the new camera originals?

I have ideas for you, I just want to be very clear in your intentions. We can talk about Batch Rename in a minute.

Jeremy

[Sandeep Sajeev]

Thanks Tony. Appreciate you taking the time to run this test. Not sure if you changed the name of the clip in the Event Library though?

I just ran a similar test.

– Imported some .mov files.
– Changed the name of one of them.
– Reveal in Finder shows a reference file in the Final Cut Events/EventName/Original Media. This reference file is the same name as on the external drive that has the actual mov files.
– Quit FCPX.
– Moved the renamed file one folder up to simulate a Delete Operation.
– Restarted FCPX.
– File still shows up as Online!
– Went ahead and clicked on Relink Event Files anyway.
– Here the file shows up as missing.
– Clicked Locate, and the path points back accurately to the original folder and indicated the original filename.

So it does seem to keep the relationship active. In FCP7 I would have got the dreaded ” “.

Not sure why it didn’t show the file as offline in the Event Library though. I could skim through it etc no problem. I did have Proxies unchecked when I set up the Event.

Will run some more tests to get a handle on Media Management in FCPX.

[Sandeep Sajeev]

Just saw your post Jeremy.

We use Grinder strictly to add Timecode. We use Streamclip to Transcode as we find it’s quicker and more stable when dealing with large amounts of data.

We don’t use the H264 files in the edit at all. This is where I misled you in the first post. We use the ProRes files in the edit. Once the film is delivered, we keep the ProRes files on our drives for 3 months, and then they’re deleted. The H264 files are always available however and are treated as Camera Masters.

So when we need to, we reTranscode from the H264 files.

Sandeep.

[Jeremy Garchow]

[Sandeep Sajeev] “We use Grinder strictly to add Timecode. We use Streamclip to Transcode as we find it’s quicker and more stable when dealing with large amounts of data.

We don’t use the H264 files in the edit at all. This is where I misled you in the first post. We use the ProRes files in the edit. Once the film is delivered, we keep the ProRes files on our drives for 3 months, and then they’re deleted. The H264 files are always available however and are treated as Camera Masters.”

This is what I would recommend with X.

Use Grinder to add tc and reel (if it allows reel. I use QT change for this).

Bring the h264 movies in to FCPX in which you can choose to reference the original files, or copy them in to the Event, it’s up to you. You can also choose to transcode on import…or not. Again, totally up to you.

At any time, you can choose to transcode. At the end, beginning, middle, whatever fits your particular workflow the best. Even when you are transcoding FCPX while importing, you can work with the native files, starting to organize, tag, arrange, edit etc. When the transcode is done, FCPX will connect to the high quality media in the background.

Finish your show, keep it for three months.

Archive it by deleting the render and “high quality” ProRes files, then archive the corresponding folders in the FCP Events/Projects folders. If you choose to reference the Grindered h264 files, archive those, too. If you choose to bring them in the Event, then all you need to do is archive the Event.

When you restore the project, you move those folders back, launch FCPX, and at this point you will be working off of those original h264 files. Right click, choose transcode.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to transcode just the timeline elements at this time. It’s all or nothing.

Hopefully, that changes one day.

Jeremy

[Sandeep Sajeev]

This seems like the way to go. Will try it over the weekend.

Thanks for all your help Jeremy.

[Tony Sarafoski]

[Sandeep Sajeev] ” Not sure if you changed the name of the clip in the Event Library though?”

In my test no i didn’t, but theres no reason why you can’t. Changing a clip name in your event will not effect the original clip name at the finder level.

For example, your footage is from a Canon 5D Mark II and the original clip name is MV0001.MOV. Unless you manually change this at the finder level, then when you transcode it using MPEG Streamclip, this clip will remain as MV0001.MOV.

If you now import this file in an event, and in your event you change its name to something like Tony Card 1, the metadata will remember the original clips name as MV001.MOV, but in your event will carry the “renamed” name. Does that make sense?

[Sandeep Sajeev] “- Quit FCPX.
– Moved the renamed file one folder up to simulate a Delete Operation.
– Restarted FCPX.
– File still shows up as Online!”

That’s correct, even though you move the files in finder, the metadata re-adjusts itself in the background so that when you re-open X, the files remain linked. The only way to “unlink” the media is to either delete/empty trash, or move the media to another drive. Only then will the media be offline when you reopen X.

It does take a little getting use to, but once you grasp the concept, you’ll be unstoppable 😉

[Sandeep Sajeev] “- Went ahead and clicked on Relink Event Files anyway.
– Here the file shows up as missing.”

Interesting, I just tried this and got a different result?

I changed the folders name, opened X (files were still online), then opened the relink window, which didn’t show missing files?

[Sandeep Sajeev] “Not sure why it didn’t show the file as offline in the Event Library though. I could skim through it etc no problem. I did have Proxies unchecked when I set up the Event.”

Like I mentioned, even though you rename or change a folders position at the finder level, the metadata will automatically update itself so that you don’t loose connection when you open X next. Really clever if you ask me 😉

I would read over Jeremy’s post, his advice is spot on and what I would do in a situation like this.

Let us know if you need any further help.

[Sandeep Sajeev]

Thanks for clarifying how the Clip Reference Metadata works Tony.

Strange that we got different results Re that specific Relink scenario. Will run through it again and see if it wasn’t just down to user error.

Sandeep.