Is there a quick way to replace a still image without changing duration and transition in FCPX?

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Level 2

150 points

Is there a quick way to replace a still image without changing duration and transition in FCPX?

This question was previously posted and answered for FCP a couple of years ago. I have the same question but for FCPX, as the previously offered solution doesn't match the menu options on the current version of the software.

Basically I have a number of projects that contain missing clips. The missing media are mostly still images. I know where the replacement images are located since I can easily search for the filenames in my Aperture library from FCPX's Photo Browser.

However if I do a drag and drop from the Photo Browser the image appears pixelated (the source is a high res raw file.) I also lose all my previously set transition effects. If I need to manually set all the effects for all the missing clips than this will simply not be worth the effort.

What's the correct process for replacing an image in a project timeline while preserving all previously set effects?

Either I'm a little slow or the solution for this is ridiculously unintuitive.

Final Cut Pro X, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Jun 30, 2012 5:16 AM

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Answer 1

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,809 points

Jun 30, 2012 10:05 AM in response to freediverx01

If you drag an image onto another one and hold a moment, the clip in the timeline will turn white. When you release the mouse a shortcut menu appears. You can select Replace, Replace from Start, Replace from End, as well as Audition functions. This will not remove any transitions. Effects applied to the image will be in. In which case you can use add to Audition and then copy and paste attributes to add the effects to the other image.

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Answer 2

Omaruru

Level 1

0 points

Jun 30, 2012 10:50 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Hi Tom,

thanks for your hint, yes it works. BUT:

I've created a project in iMovie with a lot of still images using Aperture. Each image has been modified with Ken Burns.

After importing the iMovie project into FCPX all images and all effects like Ken Burns are gone!

I decided, NOT to do the work again on my old iMovie project but will now have a closer look on new projects during the trial period of FCPX...

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Answer 3

freediverx01 Author

Level 2

150 points

Jun 30, 2012 12:01 PM in response to Omaruru

Same here, Ken Burn effects are gone. Pain in the *** to do those all over again. Quite frankly I doubt I'll bother.

Biggest issue, though, is that the images look terrible - low res and pixelated. Mind you these are 21MP RAW files from Aperture. The project is 720X480.

Haven't used FCPX for a while so I may be screwing up. Any ideas what I'm doing wrong?

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Answer 4

BenB

Level 6

13,216 points

Jun 30, 2012 4:50 PM in response to freediverx01

If you have FCP X, for heveans sake stop using iMovie for sure!

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Answer 5

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,809 points

Jul 1, 2012 6:20 AM in response to freediverx01

Did you use copy and paste attributes.

the low res problem from Aperture has been discussed a lot. You must make sure Aperture is set to display high resolution proxies. Those are the files used when you import. The RAW files are not used in FCP.

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Answer 6

Soniq2

Level 1

73 points

Jul 1, 2012 8:41 AM in response to freediverx01

Is it possible that the thumbnail of the clip is being added and not the actual clip itself?

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