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Curtis_A Author

Level 1

4 points

Do I have to import media to FCPX?

I’m using an external hard drive and I have my setting set to copy onto it. I have clicked “don’t move files”. I just want to edit directly off my hard drive, but when I find my media it always makes a Final cut (blue icon) folder with a huge back up file. It’s frustrating because if I want to sync a clip with audio I have to wait for all my media to import which takes a long time. Is there a way to just directly edit off my hard drive without making a FCPX folder?

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 12.0

Posted on Dec 5, 2021 5:14 AM

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Curtis_A Author

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Dec 6, 2021 9:48 AM

So it seems in the Project folder 12-6-21it reveals it in the original file. But the Smart Collection seems to be the one making a Final Cut folder and duplicating them. Is this correct? Do I need to have the smart collection? Is there a way to not have this happen? Thanks for all the help!!

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25 replies

Dec 6, 2021 10:04 AM in response to Curtis_A

Smart Collections do not make any extra copies of the media.

They just reference the media, wherever it is - either inside the library or outside.

The media in your second screenshot does seem to have been copied to the library, but that happened at the time of import, and is irrespective of it appearing in a smart collection or keyword collection.

Curtis_A Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 6, 2021 10:17 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Does it just make a new folder with everything in it? I didn't have a sub folder labeled Haley and Adam.

Dec 5, 2021 6:30 AM in response to Curtis_A

https://www.izzyvideo.com/final-cut-pro-tutorial/

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,995 points

Dec 6, 2021 7:30 AM in response to Curtis_A

Did you check the Reveal in Finder function? Please post a screen shot of where it takes you.

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,995 points

Dec 6, 2021 10:02 AM in response to Curtis_A

I only see one folder called Haley and Adam.

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,995 points

Dec 6, 2021 10:17 AM in response to Curtis_A

It’s in a DCIM camera card folder. The application thinks it’s a camera card. It will not leave files in place that are on a camera card or a camera archive.

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,995 points

Dec 6, 2021 10:19 AM in response to Curtis_A

It doesn’t make a new folder of it leaves in place.

Curtis_A Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 6, 2021 10:52 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Tom, Thank you so much for getting down to the bottom of this!! I will just go back and move the external files out of the DCIM folder.

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,995 points

Dec 6, 2021 10:55 AM in response to Curtis_A

You might want to rename the subfolders as well. I don’t know what the Canon card structure is. The application might recognize those numbered folders as something.

Curtis_A Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 6, 2021 11:47 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Worked perfect, thanks! I will watch Izzyvideos to better understand more. Thank you again for taking the time to help me.

Do I have to import media to FCPX?