[David Esp]

In FCPX just now I tried pancaking from Secondary to Primary storyline…
Do-able for a single storyline …though it is limited and highly clunky.
Advice/opinions welcome.

Previously I have found the pancaking style useful for “Sculpting” projects e.g. a long-duration real-life “fly on wall” production requiring multiple review/log passes to identify any structure/elements. I have not found this comfortable/productive to perform in the Browser. I have previously used this method in Adobe Premiere (stacked timelines) and, prior to that, Sony Vegas (two instances of same app).

So how to squish FCPX into doing its best approximation to this?…

BTW: Shame that [Alt-Cmd-UpArrow] doesn’t work for a dragged-range on a Sec Storyline. A work-around is possible (as below) and I wonder if it could be made a “macro” e.g. in CommandPost (which I have never used).

Also, in passing, I was surprised/frustrated that [Cmd-b] doesn’t cut both ends of a dragged-range…

Pancake Kludge Procedure:

Preparation
* In Browser: Select Media (e.g. plain clips, Synch clips or Multicam clips)
* Right-click and Create seqProject
* Optionally play-through and add (initial) markers for items of interest
* Lift All to become a Secondary Storyline (or Connected Clip, if there is only one clip)
** Select-All (on Pri Storyline)
** [Alt-Cmd-UpArrow] = Lift to become Connected Clip(s) or (if >1 clip) Sec Storyline
*** …connected to the Gap-clip left in the Pri Storyline, of same duration as the lifted clip(s)

Editing
* In Sec Storyline / Connected Clip, select (whole or range) of the clip
** To select such a range, only method available is Range-select tool
*** The [I/O] shortcuts only apply to the Primary Storyline
* Lift it out – to become a (plain) Connected Clip (to the Pri Storyline)
** If a whole Sec Storyline Clip is selected then…
*** [Q]
**** Leaves a Gap-clip in its place
** If a sub-range of a clip is selected then…
*** Optionally add a Marker (for “safety”) at start of range
*** Sadly cannot: [Alt-Cmd-UpArrow]
**** Doesn’t work…
*** [Edit > Copy]
*** Ensure playhead is positioned at Range-Start
**** (as the paste will be aligned to playhead)
**** (But needn’t however be too accurate if only going to delete gap-clips later on)
*** [Edit > Paste as Connected Clip]
* Drop it down – into the Primary Storyline
** Select this (new) Connected Clip
** [Alt-Cmd-DownArrow]
*** …or [Shift-Drag], which permits only the vertical direction

Result:
* The selected element from the Secondary Storyline is now at the same timecode-position but in the Primary Storyline.
* …leaving a corresponding Gap-clip where that element originated (in the Secondary storyline)
** Such gap-leaving can serve as a useful device to help avoid duplicate use of such elements.

Further:
* Snapshot-Duplicate the seqProject
** Treat the Snapshot as archive/backup/pancake version, continue working on the original (that it was taken from)
* Delete the Secondary Storyline
* Open Timeline Index
** Select [Clips]
** Search:[gap]
** Select-all
** [Delete-key]

[David Esp]

Thank you for that tip James – I’ll investigate

[David Esp]

Could alternatively apply as an “Effects Layer” (eg dummy blank title) connected above the clips in question.

I normally load everything into a Multicam clip. Several advantages. But sometimes I think I can “cut corners” and avoid this step … regretting this later.

I likewise wonder what others do.

[David Esp]

Survivalism: EMP weapons (e.g. if ever used terroristically or “warm war” or being tested by some local twit) might kill any powered-up drives, possibly any unshielded SSD’s (especially if leads attached). Such drives should be stored unpowered (!) and without leads attached and ideally inside metal containers. Tapes ought to be ok.

[David Esp]

Not sure how to do it for a single clip in Browser, but the following works for a clip in a timeline/sequence/Project (I call it sequenceProject/seqProj). Maybe if you Export XML from a clip selected in Browser? (haven’t tried it – please post any result )

Suggestion: Cut Notes – Marker Import app (free) from Digital Rebellion
Scroll down to “Resources” at https://www.digitalrebellion.com/cutnotes/

Cut Notes format is like this:

Name Type Marker Name Comment Start Duration Color
Sequence 1 Sequence Mark 01:00:03:09 00:00:00:00 Red
Sequence 1 Sequence Mark 01:00:09:03 00:00:00:00 Red
Sequence 1 Sequence Mark 01:00:14:23 00:00:00:00 Red
Sequence 1 Sequence Too Quiet Too Loud 01:00:19:11 00:00:00:00 Red
Sequence 1 Sequence Mark 01:00:26:15 00:00:00:00 Red
Sequence 1 Sequence End Scene 01:00:28:26 00:00:00:00 Red

The first 2 columns can stay as above – import tool asks (prompts for) which sequenceProject you want to import the markers to.

I suggest:
Duplicate existing sequenceProject
Export XML for that seqProj
Using Marker Import app, specify the markers text-file and the XML file
FCPX should then contain the updated (markers) sequence
…though it won’t necessarily be selected – do that manually
Now check your results

Cut Notes itself (another app) is not needed for this workflow, but it is a cool app too (I have no connection to them except as a customer). I use it or give it to others (including inexperienced) on iPad while making review mark-ups. Could be for shooting live event (self or any reliable assistant) , watching a broadcast/streamed programme or own/client editorial review. Advantages: simplicity (negligible training needed) & domesticity (sit back comfortably on sofa).

[David Esp]

Jeff,
Many thanks for clarifying/confirming the situation.
As you recommended, I fed each of the suggestions back to Apple – as separate “Product Enhancements”.