How do I reconnect media in FCP-X?

I'm in the same boat. Needing to reconnect media from external HDDs is a pretty important feature.

I've found sometimes that if I use import files after getting the exclamation and re-select the files on your external HDD it will reconnect it back and not add duplicates in. It should create a symbolic link to the file in your ~/Movies/Final Cut Events/Your Project/Original Media/ Also, make sure your import preferences (File->Preferences...) do not have 'Copy Files to Final Cut Events Folder' checked. However I should explain where it will not work:

If you do any modification on a .mov, such as re-rendering an AfterEffects or Motion .mov, it will not reconnect it as FCPx thinks it's a different file and creates a new clip. Haven't found a work around for that.

Trying to bar negative comment agains't FCPx... hold... can't... resist. REALLY? No Reconnect? YGTBFKM!

Had the same problem, just figured it out:

Step 1) Go to your project library:

Step 2) Go to your Properties dialog (upper right panel) and click the Modify Event References button!

That's all! Hope it helps!

I'm missing something in your instructions, because when I hit the Modify Event References, it still doesn't give me the option to choose any files, but only a "Look how many I found!" dialog.

I think I had this problem.... sounds stooopid but is the drive that the clips are on mounted/connected to the system?

Yes, but what happened is the time stamp on the file changed, or some other aspect and now it won't relink - so every where that clip is used I'd have to re-import and edit back in to every section used. Crossing fingers they bring back the more sensible "Reconnect media..." option.

There is no reconnect function in FCPX. You can only re-import.

I guess pros never switch out multi-use assets, such as bumpers, as the original set you were working with was only a draft from the motion graphics crew.</sarcasm>. 😟

This is ridiculous. I was on the fence about buying FCPX until reading about the lack of relinking ability. I'm always working with multiple iterations of audio tracks and videos rendered out from Max/MSP/Jitter. Totally going to have to stay with FCE until this is rectified. The fact that I'll be able to get realitively simple video work done better in a 3+ year old version of final cut express says something about the state FCPX…

This absolutely needs to change. I appreciate Apple trying to simplify the process of reconnecting clips by automatically finding and associating the correct files to the event. But seriously, give us the flippin' option to manually reconnect clips already. As others have pointed out, sometimes the files you're working with are renders from outside projects, like After Effects. If you so much as sneeze on that file, FCPX will no longer allow you to edit from that file again, and thus everything you've done with that clip to this point is broken and wasted.

This needs to be addressed in a 10.1 patch or something. I'd much rather have that as a priority feature rather than multi-cam editing (I want that too, but we're talking basic functionality here).

You listening, Apple? Fix it!

As a completely LAME work around, if you have to use FCPx with elements that go through multiple iterations (motion graphics / vfx work) and audio is NOT required within the footage, you can wrap your footage in a motion generator and insert in your FCPx project. You can update the motion project/generator whenever you get fresh renders / footage. Motion, which as far as I'm concerned, is still a great app, has the ability to reconnect media. How anyone would work like this is beyond me, just providing another alternative. This missing feature is my biggest show stopper.

There has got to be a way to do this even Ii movie can do it

There just isn't yet. This is a 1.00000 product.

There is a lot that iMovie can do that FCPX can not. Of course vice versa is very much true too.

Actually I think it's more like beta 0.1c