Exporting a section of the timeline with FCPx

So what exactly happens if you export with Compressor, set in and out points, and are trying to export with the same settings as your rendered project?

Let's say I've got a 30 minute piece, and I want to export 5 minutes of that with the same settings as my project - let's say 1080 ProRes Regular. If the whole timeline is rendered, and I export with compressor, setting in/out, will it:

1) re-render the selection, meaning it will take much longer than it needs to and potentially degrade the video

2) just pass the video through, as it's already rendered to those settings, so should be almost instantaneous

While I've seen this asked before, I haven't seen it answered yet. I haven't bothered purchasing the new compressor, but if it gives me the ability to instantly output rendered sections of my timeline, it's worth the $50.

It will export the entire project, not the marked I/O.

No offense but.. here's a bunch of offenseive stuff i have to say... and you shouldn't learn anything you should just already know it, like i do.. (you're a winner)

I think it's stupid too, but instead of what has been suggested, why don't you copy the section that you want to export into a separate sequence within the same project, export it, and delete the unneeded sequence after export is complete? It's stupid, but it is a painless workaround. And you don't ahve to mess with compressor or quicktime. you can do it all in FCP

The work around is a complete joke, what took 5 seconds now takes 5 minutes.

Apple better get with the program and restore FCP to what it once was or just dont bother.

For all our sakes....

You don't need any workaround if you're using the current version.

It would be awesome if Apple could enable XML intergration in FCPX and Motion, as there is already for the effects. Rather than concentaring of using motion as an effects plugin generator for FCPX, let motion provide more benefit, with it's 3D cameras, motion FX etc. Like for example, being able to send video from the FCPX timeline to motion, add FX, composite, layers etc & then return to FCPX, where the clip on the timeline would then update automatically. There still needs to be better integration of FCPX and Motion. I hope Apple is listening to what people "need".

Nice that they finally integrated this basic feature after more than a year 😉

What you need to do is select all the clips that are in the timeline - Then right click (CTRL click with a normal apple mouse) and create a compound clip -

Then just trim this compound clip to the output you want .. Export it then basically CMD Z to undo the last two slices and CMD z to kill your compound clip if you want to .

Or work with a compound clip

To get back to the clips that are in the compound clip double click it

For the record I would like to see I and O back in the timeline to just export between these points - There are comments that its there but I cannot gtet it to work

This information is incorrect. If this is not working for you please post a screen shot of your timeline.

Yes, the ability to export part of the timeline was implemented in the last functionality update. It's slightly different from FCP7 though. You either use the range tool to select part of the timeline, or you can select a group of clips on the timeline with the regular select tool. When you hit Export, only the selection will be exported.

Simply selecting clips is not sufficient. You have to have a selection created with handles, either with the range selection tool or by marking In and Out points with I and O. It does not have to be whole clips.

Ah, you're right about the select tool. I was sure I'd done it that way before.

Pinktomato,

Now that we all finally understand compound clips, your solution isn't totally incorrect -- just a bit late to the table now that Apple finally got their heads out of their wormhole.

Just thought I'd give you credit for having the answer, although you didn't realize it. When your final paragraph fondly recalls the timeline I/O points and wistfully dreams of their return, you are stating the current procedure.

Although, while as Tom explains, we now have the Range tool, the range can also be set using the old fashioned I/O keystrokes.

Congratulations for joining those of us who have answers already but need someone else to dig it out of muddle in our brains.

By the way, since you state you can't get it to work, the first question should be whether you have the latest FCPX update. You would indeed be unable to make it work if you don't have the most current FCPX version. I had to go chase it down in the App Store after I got an email from this discussion when Tom responded to an October post. Never saw an automatic update.

Message was edited by: Clyde Crocker

Here is the thing -- If you use the range tool thats fine for when there are no generators on the clip -- But if you have a generator say a title that doesnt get exported out in the final clip.

Now I would love to be wrong here maybe Im missing I setting but using the range tool although I can extract just a section of the timeline - I only get the video from the time line no generators. Hence I have used compound clips as a work around ..

Maybe its me but anyone know how to export with the range tool AND get generators. ?