User profile for user: Jody Joy
Jody Joy Author
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iMovie 10.1.12 how to transfer project between Macs on same network.

I created a project on my laptop and need to finish it on the desktop. I'm on the same network for both computers. The ability to "consolidate project" is no longer available apparently.


So what is the proper strategy to easily access the project and all associated media, combine it and move it to my desktop?

Posted on Oct 2, 2019 11:26 AM

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User profile for user: Jody Joy
Jody Joy Author
User level: Level 1
27 points

Posted on Oct 3, 2019 8:20 AM

Rich thank you for replying, but I found a much easier and elegant way thanks to a teacher's video here:

https://youtu.be/3oBAZEermZo


Here are the steps for anyone else needing the solution:

  1. On the computer you want to transfer the project TO - create a new project and name it. Drop a couple of random images in. Then after saving and checking to be sure it is listed in your Projects, quit iMovie.
  2. Go to your Movies folder, right click on the iMovie Library and choose "Show Package Contents". You will see the folders for your projects.
  3. Open the folder for the container project you just created with whatever name you gave it, and delete all of the contents. You now have a container on the computer you wish to move the project TO.
  4. On the computer containing the project you wish to transfer, go to your Movies/iMovie Library, right-click and "Show Package Contents". Find the folder for the project and open it to display the contents.
  5. Copy the CONTENTS of the folder, NOT the folder itself to any device you want to use to transfer the files, or use AirDrop.
  6. On the computer you are transferring TO, without opening iMovie, go to Movies/iMovie Library and right click to "Show Package Contents".
  7. Drop the files into that folder.

When you open iMovie you should see your project with all the assets that you transferred.


There you have it, a simple way to transfer a project without fooling around with strategies that involve an entire Library.

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User profile for user: Jody Joy
Jody Joy Author
User level: Level 1
27 points

Oct 3, 2019 8:20 AM in response to Rich839

Rich thank you for replying, but I found a much easier and elegant way thanks to a teacher's video here:

https://youtu.be/3oBAZEermZo


Here are the steps for anyone else needing the solution:

  1. On the computer you want to transfer the project TO - create a new project and name it. Drop a couple of random images in. Then after saving and checking to be sure it is listed in your Projects, quit iMovie.
  2. Go to your Movies folder, right click on the iMovie Library and choose "Show Package Contents". You will see the folders for your projects.
  3. Open the folder for the container project you just created with whatever name you gave it, and delete all of the contents. You now have a container on the computer you wish to move the project TO.
  4. On the computer containing the project you wish to transfer, go to your Movies/iMovie Library, right-click and "Show Package Contents". Find the folder for the project and open it to display the contents.
  5. Copy the CONTENTS of the folder, NOT the folder itself to any device you want to use to transfer the files, or use AirDrop.
  6. On the computer you are transferring TO, without opening iMovie, go to Movies/iMovie Library and right click to "Show Package Contents".
  7. Drop the files into that folder.

When you open iMovie you should see your project with all the assets that you transferred.


There you have it, a simple way to transfer a project without fooling around with strategies that involve an entire Library.

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User profile for user: Rich839
Rich839
User level: Level 8
48,156 points

Oct 3, 2019 8:59 AM in response to Jody Joy

Thanks for that interesting solution. It just seems so much easier to simply move or copy the project from one library to another. Just open both libraries and do a File/Move to Library. Two steps instead of seven.


Generally, it is not a good idea to work with the projects from the Show Projects Contents. You run the risk of corrupting your library.


-- Rich

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User profile for user: Rich839
Rich839
User level: Level 8
48,156 points

Oct 3, 2019 2:25 PM in response to Jody Joy

Here's a copy of the Help menu item that shows the steps to move a project from one library to another:


Copy or move projects between libraries

  1. Connect a storage device that contains the target library to your Mac, or copy the target library to your Mac.
  2. Choose File > Open Library, and choose an option from the submenu. (Edit: In this case it would be the Home library.)
  3. You can choose from recently opened libraries, locate an existing library on your Mac, or create a new library.
  4. The selected library is opened in the Libraries list, with the first event selected and its contents displayed in the browser.
  5. Click the Projects button in the toolbar.
  7. Select the project you want to move or copy.
  8. Click the button to the right of the project name, then do one of the following:
    • Copy the project to another library: Click Copy to Library, then choose a library from the submenu.
    • Move the project to another library: Click Move to Library, then choose a library from the submenu.


I was having trouble with the File/Move to Library method (grayed out) so use the method in steps 5 through 8. I guess it wasn't two steps like I suggested earlier, but it is the recommended way.


-- Rich


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User profile for user: Rich839
Rich839
User level: Level 8
48,156 points

Oct 2, 2019 6:19 PM in response to Jody Joy

Hi, Jody Joy,


Here's a link to an online help help menu that explains how to copy or move projects from one computer to another.


https://help.apple.com/imovie/mac/10.1/#/mov3fa25bae7


Projects can only be moved from one library to another. Or, you can move the library that contains the project. It's easy to create libraries, so you can create a library to store that one project, and then move the library wherever you want. To move a library to an external drive the drive must be formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled) to avoid loss of data.


I think that the easiest way is to move your current laptop library from your laptop to an external drive, and plug the external drive into your desktop computer.


Alternatively, you can create a new library on your external drive. Then move or copy the project from your laptop to the library on your eternal drive. Then you can plug your external drive into your desktop computer.


-- Rich


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iMovie 10.1.12 how to transfer project between Macs on same network.

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