Where are my files?

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Level 1

25 points

Where are my files?

I use FCP intermittently only, as part of my work. Therefore, there are some basic things I should have a better handle on than I do.

Here's the situation - I've been asked by a client to go back and edit some new clips into a video I made for them 8 years ago. Since that time, I have upgraded my computer, as well as archived older things to some external drives.

As I look through these drives, I'm having a hard time identifying what types of files I should be looking for. So far, I find a bunch of Quicktime flles that seem to be transitions only.

What I need is the project and the raw files that made it up.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Mac Pro 8 core, 16gb ram, 2x2.4ghz, Mac OS X (10.6.4), All video on separate HD

Posted on Apr 17, 2013 8:58 AM

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Answer 1

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Apr 17, 2013 11:12 AM in response to jmf3001

If you don't have a place where you archive all project files, my suggestion would be to do global searches of files with the .fcp extension. Once you locate that and open it, you will see the names of the missing files to help you relink them. Alternatively, do global searches on capture and scratch.

Russ

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Answer 2

Shane Ross

Level 8

43,110 points

Apr 17, 2013 12:36 PM in response to Russ H

There's more to it than that.

If you capture video from tape, or via Log and Transfer, it captures the media as Quicktime files inside the CAPTURE SCRATCH folder onto the drive you designated as your CAPTURE SCRATCH in the FCP SYSTEM PREFERENCES. FCP will separate the media by folders with the project name.

That folder, and the render files, and any audio or pictures you use in the project is what you archive. If you don't know where they are...well...dunno how you are going to find them. If the clip names match the media file name...then you can search that way.

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Answer 3

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Apr 17, 2013 2:30 PM in response to Shane Ross

I know.

Russ

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