Final Cut Pro + Dropbox

I've been using Final Cut Pro with Dropbox for about 3 years, and now after running some updates these programs don't want to play nicely together. When trying to open a Final Cut Pro library file that is saved to my Dropbox (but synced to my computer and available offline) Dropbox gives an error message that says the file can't be opened from iCloud Drive (even though it's in Dropbox, not iCloud.)

When trying to create a new library, I get a similar message saying I can't save the file to iCloud Drive (when again, I'm using Dropbox synced to my Mac)

Any suggestions? Not sure if this is a Dropbox issue or a Final Cut issue or both. Thank you!

Posted on Jan 4, 2023 9:06 AM

Best reply

telsatall

Level 1

8 points

Posted on May 24, 2023 7:21 PM

I have used FCPX + Dropbox for many many years with no issues, and now apple breaks everything again. I found a workaround that allows me to continue to sync FCPX libraries through Dropbox after the LATEST UPDATE using Sparse Disk Images in Disk Utility. It just adds just one quick extra step mounting and unmounting the image. You first create your sparse disk image in disk utility and save it to any Dropbox folder wherever you want. (Make sure to set your image size to something large enough. Default is 100 MB, I always choose 1 TB. This doesn't make the image that size right away, it just tells the image the size limit). I then mount the image and save my FCPX library inside the image. It appears as if it was an external HD on the left. After that, everything works like normal. You do your edit, add media just like normal, the only added step from here on out is you just have to mount the drive before opening the FCPX library, and unmount the drive when you are done. Working for us.

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41 replies

Guy Ross

Level 1

8 points

Apr 12, 2023 5:24 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

I'm finding a strong negative correlation between the helpfulness of the comment and the level of the poster. We should consider banning Level 10 members from posting to improve content reliability.

Luyen

Level 1

4 points

Apr 23, 2023 8:56 AM in response to Luyen

Correction: when I copied the files to an external SSD, it works in FCP. So, when I'm copying from my "local" DB to my Documents folder, it's somehow confused.

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,058 points

Apr 23, 2023 9:00 AM in response to Luyen

What did you update?

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,058 points

Apr 23, 2023 9:00 AM in response to Luyen

Are you using iCloud Desktop and Documents feature?

Luyen

Level 1

4 points

Apr 23, 2023 9:58 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Updated DB this morning. Using iCloud for documents and desktop. Using Google Drive for work and DB for media.

terryb

Level 4

2,175 points

Apr 27, 2023 3:19 PM in response to Luyen

If you're using iCloud for Documents, then your Documents folder is not a "local" folder anymore and likely why FCP complained.

Luyen

Level 1

4 points

Apr 27, 2023 3:19 PM in response to ILearnedOnAnAppleIIe

Have not solved it. I moved my library and associated files/folders to a local SSD. I'm hoping Apple/DB figure out how to play nicely together in a future release. It's a major pain.