[Craig Alan]

Bill,

So before finalizing a project and exporting to where-ever, X is optimizing only how it is viewed (unless it happens to be an unsupported codec)?

Even on import no actually transcoding is done? Really? I thought for sure in the inspector it says the file is in the codec I choose upon import? No?

By way of example, it has always been my habit to transcode HDV to apple pro res 422 not because it’s going to improve the original footage but because pro res is a better editing codec and plays better with effects and graphics.

Could you give a concrete specific example of what is taking place under the hood?

Thanks

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV30/40, Sony Z7U, VX2000, PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

[Oliver Peters] “You can also use the timeline index to select all clips after a certain point. Then click the P key for Position mode and drag the selected clips to the right. A gap is automatically created in the vacant space.
“

Not that your were talking to me. But thanks for that tip. Really a cool way to add a scene in a crowded timeline without screwing things up and you can always delete any excess gap when you are finished with the additional scene. I suppose you could also create a new timeline, work on the new scene and insert it when you are ready. But this method helps have control over what is being rippled down the timeline and you can check the edit before during and after the changes to be sure nothing has gone out of sync or messes with the sequence of shots.

I’m finding the index more and more useful, particularly if I named clips in a meaningful way.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV30/40, Sony Z7U, VX2000, PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Not normal.

perhaps a corrupted project file? Create a new project and see if you get the same behavior. If that works try copying all of the timeline to the new project.

The only other thought that occurred to me is you are trying to edit too many clips at once. FCP X seems for example to have trouble with too many compound clips so maybe it’s chocking on the amount of media you are moving.
Now I am far from an expert on X and maybe there is some weird setting you choose or something.

Have you tried dragging them down to the timeline?

By the way I know you said that with list view it copies multiple copies of the full clip, but you actually played these and that was the case? The names might seem like copies.

Have your tried Append to Storyline rather than insert?

Have you tried Applecare pro app department or doing a google search for this behavior?

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV30/40, Sony Z7U, VX2000, PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Doesn’t seem normal. Maybe you need to trash FCP X preferences.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV30/40, Sony Z7U, VX2000, PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Oh and make sure that both images with identical project/event names are not open at the same time.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV30/40, Sony Z7U, VX2000, PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

I don’t know anything but the suggestions on this page might help. I’m interested in what works since I’ll be doing this in the near future.

https://vimeo.com/help/compression

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV30/40, Sony Z7U, VX2000, PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

I can suggest a few things. It is true that for duplicating and moving projects and events, it is usually recommended to do so within FCP X. Since this did not work – trash the new sparse image and make a new one. A sparsebundle image is a better choice by the way. Try again. Maybe it got a corrupted directory of something. Did you allow enough space in the new sparse image for your media? Make it bigger than you need – it will only use the amount you fill it with. How did you format it?

In the new sparse image, create a project and event folder named exactly like what you have on your other sparse image – the one that is working: Final Cut Projects Final Cut Events.

FCP X will see projects and events in the projects and events folders on the root level of any drive including sparse images. But it only wants one of each folder per drive. So make sure there is only one of each.

If that does not work. I would try copying the entire a sparse image to the new location in the finder. Dismount the older one. Mount the new one and see if it opens in FCP X and all is working. If not check the old one, maybe it got corrupted. If it did, run disk warrior on the sparse image and see if it corrects the problem.

One more thing worth looking at. When you try to duplicate the projects and events, open the background tasks window in FCP X under window and see what is taking place. Maybe you underestimated how long it would take.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV30/40, Sony Z7U, VX2000, PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Bill,
I’m not asking you to defend X. I have switched to it and it’s the only editing program I am using at this time. I was asking what workflow you use in the browser that has so effectively replaced major steps that previously took place in the timeline. I am not asking to put X down but rather to learn whatever is coming in handy for others in practice. The fact that you find the browser more efficient is not my question. I do too. It’s much faster to do a quick sort based on any number of ways X lets you tag files than creating bins inside bins. There are times I’d like the old features but I am faster giving in to the new way of sorting. This is not just an X thing. Modern OS’s are building in faster and more helpful sort functions. And it is up to the end user to create the tagging system that works for them. It is also a much more visual presentation and once you are used to it more pleasing an interface.

But every time you comment on someone trying to get a handle on timeline workflow, you tell them that they need to get used to the new way of doing things which means doing the heavy lifting in the browser. But it would be more helpful if you were specific rather than just claiming the person is not giving in to the new way. They are using X so they are not just dismissing it. And since it is a new program people might have legit feature requests without being stuck in the old way. Software is usually best when its both/and not either/or. Apple is known for its three ways to do any given function. Right now X has some 1.5 ways. And other times its just powerful.

Glad to hear of another example of X being used in a higher end project. And I hope it catches on in those circles and continues to improve both in reality and reputation. It has a long way to go to be considered a contender in feature film and broadcast industry.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV30/40, Sony Z7U, VX2000, PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

What monitors at what price point do you recommend?

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV30/40, Sony Z7U, VX2000, PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Ok. Trimming in the browser is pretty easy in X and was pretty easy in every NLE I ever tried. Although I rough trim the clips in the browser, the rhythm for me happens in the timeline. The rhythm is either based on the music, the dialog, or the flow of clips. That’s all timeline composition. It has to be in context. I like X’s click and drag to select a portion of the clip in the browser and like to mix it up with traditional I and O if I get tired of mousing. But the final I and O points are determined in the timeline. I don’t see any thing new about this workflow.

For me, X is faster with its one click to save your selection as a favorite but I then need to go back and label these. I remember sub-clips taking longer to create and label and save in folders. But still the work flow was pretty much the same.

I’d guess, X is more likely to encourage new users to begin trimming and organizing in the browser where as in legacy it was something you learned to do with experience. I always think of the zoo story, “Sometimes it’s necessary to go a long distance out of the way in order to come back a short distance correctly.”

Ok I get that, what else ya got?

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Camcorders: Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV30/40, Sony Z7U, VX2000, PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.