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Q: FCP 7 and FCP-X on same partition:  what problems are caused?

I'm trying to figure out if the performance issues I'm having with FCP-X can be remedied, or if the problem is just buggy software.  Apparently, even a newer, faster, more powerful Mac is not the answer, as I read complaints from people with new, suped-up Mac Pros who say the software slows to a crawl.  Sounds familiar to me, but I'm on iMacs and a MacBook Pro -- all my Macs are 3-4 years old, and are from that Core 2 Duo era, not Quad Core processors.  All my Macs are maxed out at 4 GB or RAM.  So I'm certain new machines are in my future.  But judging from what some people say about their newer, faster machines, I'm not entirely convinced that it would solve the problem I'm having with FCP-X.

 

There are numerous threads here reporting sluggish performance (perpetual spinning beach balls) relating to a memory leak or a problem relating to FCP-X's usage of memory (some say it happens worse in Lion).  Is that the problem?  And if it is, why hasn't Apple addressed it?

 

Then there is this matter of having FCP-7 (FCP Studio) and FCP-X installed on the same partition.  Apple's "Best Practices" article clearly states that it's best to have the two applications installed on separate partitions.  Only problem (for me) is, I already had FCP-7 installed on the primary partition.  When I purchased FCP-X (the day it first became available), I hadn't read that article, so naturally, the software got installed...you guessed it...on the primary partition.  And yes, I could uninstall FCP-7 (FCP Studio), create a new partition, and then re-install it.  But I remember how long it took to install FCP Studio (about 4 hours, as I recall), so I've put off the ordeal of heading down that road.


So I'm wondering.......

 

What problems are known to occur as a result of having FCP-7 and FCP-X installed on the same partition?  Would my sluggish performance be related to this?  Or would going to the trouble of uninstalling FCP-7, re-partitioning, then re-installing FCP-7 (FCP Studio) into its own play space, only be a waste of time?

 

What evidence is there that this co-install is the culprit causing sluggish performance?


What ARE the problems that the co-install causes?  I've never heard anyone address this specifically.

Posted on Feb 2, 2012 2:32 PM

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Q: FCP 7 and FCP-X on same partition:  what problems are caused?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Ian R. Brown,

    Ian R. Brown Ian R. Brown Feb 2, 2012 2:39 PM in response to R&B
    Level 6 (18,660 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 2, 2012 2:39 PM in response to R&B

    If you read the Apple article, the last half deals with installing both apps on one partition of one Hard Drive.

     

    My iMac is an early   2008 model and I have FCP 7 and FCP X installed together with FCE 4.

     

    There are no problems whatsoever and I further believe that complaints about sluggish behaviour have little to do with computer power or RAM.

     

    I think the sluggishness is probably something to do with the way the Macs are set up or maybe conflicts with other apps (not FCP 7).

  • by Ross H,

    Ross H Ross H Feb 23, 2012 4:25 PM in response to Ian R. Brown
    Level 2 (370 points)
    Feb 23, 2012 4:25 PM in response to Ian R. Brown

    Hello, Ian.

     

    When you say "I have FCP 7 and FCP X installed together with FCE 4." Are they on the same partition of your iMac?

     

    I'm ready to purchase the new Motion and am a bit skittish about creating a new partition for it...and eventually FCPX.

     

    Ross Hunter

    Orange, VA

    The Colonies

  • by Ian R. Brown,

    Ian R. Brown Ian R. Brown Feb 24, 2012 12:39 AM in response to Ross H
    Level 6 (18,660 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 24, 2012 12:39 AM in response to Ross H

    Yes, my iMac has the single default partition.

     

    No need for any new partitions.

     

    In my Applications folder I have FCE 4 together with all the Final Cut Studio 3 apps (FCP & etc.) and in a separate folder named Final Cut Pro X I have FCP X, Compressor 4 and Motion 5.

     

    If you wish you can have FCP X etc in the Applications folder and all the FCS 3 apps in a folder named Final Cut Studio.

     


  • by Goldfish,

    Goldfish Goldfish Feb 24, 2012 6:27 AM in response to Ian R. Brown
    Level 2 (359 points)
    Feb 24, 2012 6:27 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

    Ian R. Brown wrote:

    ... If you wish you can have FCP X etc in the Applications folder and all the FCS 3 apps in a folder named Final Cut Studio.

    Isn't that the best way to go considering software updates might require FCPX to be at the root of the Apps folder? Or has that changed?

    g

  • by Ian R. Brown,

    Ian R. Brown Ian R. Brown Feb 24, 2012 6:58 AM in response to Goldfish
    Level 6 (18,660 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 24, 2012 6:58 AM in response to Goldfish

    Nope, that has all been taken care of by Apple.

     

    As long as FCS or FCP X is in a folder with the correct name as I detailed, it can be "seen" by Software Update or the App Store.

  • by slightcomedy,

    slightcomedy slightcomedy Feb 24, 2012 9:11 AM in response to R&B
    Level 1 (130 points)
    Feb 24, 2012 9:11 AM in response to R&B

    Short Answer to OP: ARMAGEDDON.

     

    I have FCS3 and FCPX on the same partition.  But...I created a separate User for FCPX.  This keeps cache files and preference files separate.  I had issues with FCPX 10.0.0 and decided at that point to create a new user.  That helped me a lot.  I'm not sure if any of this is still an issue with 10.0.3 and I'm getting closer and closer to abandoning FCS3 altogether.

  • by andynick,

    andynick andynick Feb 24, 2012 10:25 PM in response to R&B
    Level 5 (4,938 points)
    Video
    Feb 24, 2012 10:25 PM in response to R&B

    When FCP X first came out, Apple recommended keeping FCS 3 on a separate partition, so I did that.

     

    Recently I did a clean reinstall or Lion and installed FCS 3 as normal, followed by FCP X 10.0.3.

    During the FCP X install, FCP 7 was moved to a new folder called Final Cut Studio.

     

    'Studio' and FCP X now work happily on the same partition - but I have not tried opening both at the same time!

    Just now, both applications are the most stable they have ever been.

     

    These are my standard tips for improving performance:

     

    First, check the spec of your iMac against the system requirements:

    http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/specs/

     

    Particularly your graphics card. If it's listed here, it's not suitable:

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4664

     

    If you are getting crashes, there is some conflict on the OS. Create a new (admin) user account on your system and use FCP X from there - if it runs a lot better, there's a conflict and a clean install would be recommended.

     

    Other ways to improve performance:

     

    Keep projects to 20 mins or less. If you have a long project, work on 20 min sections then paste these into a final project for export.

     

    Create Optimised media - most camera native files are highly compressed and need a great deal of processor power to play back - particularly if you add titles, filters or effects. ProRes 422 takes up much more hard drive space but is very lightly compressed. It edits and plays back superbly.

     

    Hide Waveforms at all times when you don't need them (both in Browser and Storyline / Timeline). They take up a lot of processor power.

     

    Create folders in the Project and Events libraries and put any projects you are not working on currently, in those folders. This will help a lot.

     

    Move your Projects and Events to an external HD (make sure it's formatted OS Extended - with journaled on or off) and run from there.

     

    Contrary to what Ian said above, the biggest single improvement I saw in performance was when I upgraded the RAM from 8 GB to 16.

    Andy

  • by Ian R. Brown,

    Ian R. Brown Ian R. Brown Feb 25, 2012 3:19 AM in response to andynick
    Level 6 (18,660 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 25, 2012 3:19 AM in response to andynick

    You can't open both simultaneously.

     

    If you try, you are asked to close the one already open.

  • by Ross H,

    Ross H Ross H Mar 4, 2012 9:48 AM in response to Ian R. Brown
    Level 2 (370 points)
    Mar 4, 2012 9:48 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

    Just to follow up...

     

    I purchased and installed Motion 5. It's been working flawlessly. The installer moved Final Cut and associated programs into a new folder called "Final Cut Studio". Thanks for your help and reassurances.

     

    Ross Hunter

    Orange, VA

  • by dawnhowes,

    dawnhowes dawnhowes Sep 6, 2013 5:12 PM in response to Ian R. Brown
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 6, 2013 5:12 PM in response to Ian R. Brown

    just want to make sure I'm not going to mess anything up when I purchase and install fcpx onto my iMac which already has Fcp7....

    I do not want to use partition myself either...I've been looking around and it seems I'll be okay as long I don't intend to open both together.

     

    My main question: I really don't understand these folders. It sounds like my first step is to create a seperate folder for FCPx before I purchase it so I can have it install there? ??

     

    I'd like to know what I need to do Before purchasing/downloading fcpx to my iMac so I don't have any problems now or in the future.

     

    Will I be able to just create a new folder in the Applications? I try to stay clear of the Applications folders because I'm afraid I'll mess something up.

     

    any step by step would be great...I can edit well..I just don't undertand installing well.

    D

     

     

    You wrote:

    Yes, my iMac has the single default partition.

     

    No need for any new partitions.

     

    In my Applications folder I have FCE 4 together with all the Final Cut Studio 3 apps (FCP & etc.) and in a separate folder named Final Cut Pro X I have FCP X, Compressor 4 and Motion 5.

     

    If you wish you can have FCP X etc in the Applications folder and all the FCS 3 apps in a folder named Final Cut Studio.