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vmmgfx

Q: Xsan and FCPx

We are looking to upgrade our Current xSan and FCP 7 Suites to FCPX. I have a question as far as work flow. Currently we are Runnung 3 MacPros FCP Suites with 32 bit Intel Chips and OS 10.6.8. We are looking to go to new MacPros loaded and FCPX. We have questions as to how it will work with our current San Volume which is 4 xserve raids and one Promis raid, stripped as two volumes . We also use an Apple xServe for file sharing.  All being Shared over Fiber. The bigest question is over sharing a volume and Shareing FCPX Project Files, can it be done. Can two FCPX Station Share the same san volume at the same time, share footage and assets. We do not want to work on the same project ate the same time but do want to be able to hand of the project to another edit station to have finishing touches put on it. Currently we can do that by just opening the project from our shared Apple File Server. Can we do the same with FCPX? If we save the Event folder on a Shared File Server can another Edit station open it once I close it? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

Thanks

James

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8), Intel 32Bit

Posted on Aug 14, 2013 10:16 AM

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Q: Xsan and FCPx

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  • by Christopher Collins,

    Christopher Collins Christopher Collins Aug 14, 2013 2:38 PM in response to vmmgfx
    Level 1 (50 points)
    Aug 14, 2013 2:38 PM in response to vmmgfx

    It doesn't really work how you are used to at all. Read this, as it answers all your questions.

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5084

  • by vmmgfx,

    vmmgfx vmmgfx Aug 14, 2013 4:21 PM in response to Christopher Collins
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Aug 14, 2013 4:21 PM in response to Christopher Collins

    Christopher

     

    We have read through that and we where hoping there was a new update. It tells us how we can both share footage but does not say if I will be able to open his project on my system make changes and resave. I had also read online where two Seats of FCPx could not have the same volume in use at the same time. Is that correct?

     

    Thanks

    James

  • by sgrappone,

    sgrappone sgrappone Aug 19, 2013 7:35 AM in response to vmmgfx
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Aug 19, 2013 7:35 AM in response to vmmgfx

    Hi James,

     

    You are sitting in a great spot, as you are building in a sense a new system. I think what Christopher was saying was that you have the right idea, but the way you currenlty have things setup is really not supported. However what you are asking for is supported, and it can be done if you do it correctly.

     

    I have a few questions for you first.

     

    -Why the new MacPro rather than iMacs

    -Do you currently have Fibre to each edit station

    -Do you own a fibre switch

     

    Please feel free to skype me or e-mail me:

     

    (Skype) stevegrappone

    (e-mail) sgrappone@belltechlogix.com

  • by vmmgfx,

    vmmgfx vmmgfx Aug 19, 2013 10:10 AM in response to sgrappone
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Aug 19, 2013 10:10 AM in response to sgrappone

    Steve

     

    We are not dead set on Mac Pros But if we are going to replace why not go with the newest technology. We bought a imac 27 a month ago to start Comparing FCPX and Adobe CC.

     

    Currently we have Four Fiber Stations (only using 3)

    2 Mac Pro 64 Bit Tower Servers Running 10.6.? Server software Acting as Meta Data Controllers

    1 Mac Pro Server 32bit Running as File Server

    4 xserve Raids

    1 Promise Vtrack E Class

    1 Qlogic Sanbox 5200 Fiber Switch

    1 QLogic Sanbox 5800 Fiber Switch

     

    James

  • by Mathieu Mauser,

    Mathieu Mauser Mathieu Mauser Oct 1, 2013 11:04 AM in response to vmmgfx
    Level 2 (210 points)
    Oct 1, 2013 11:04 AM in response to vmmgfx

    I think if you read over the Apple white paper you will get a clearer indication of what they intend for FCP X and XSAN project and event sharing currently.

     

    Final Cut Pro X: Xsan Best Practices white paper

     

    Final Cut Pro X: Xsan Best Practices

     

     

    That being said, it depends on how you want to work. The current approved method of using SAN locations within FCP X allow an editor to gurantee they are the only one working on the project / events. All others need to request access to the SAN location before they can use it. And by request, I mean, they must ask the other editor to disconnect from the SAN location before they can mount it. This works well for editors working on a project by themselves before possibly handing it off to another edtor.

     

    Of course, there also ways to share the footage and / or events which allows both editors to share the media and working on separate projects.

     

    And beyond a certain level this manual, shared storage but not shared project workflow can get very messy. If FCP X does not detach from the SAN location then who knows who had it last, and who then can open it. Not ideal. When there are a lot of editors we need a clearer hand-off then search the SAN for hidden dotfiles (.fcplock, and .fcpuser).

     

    I'm sure Apple is revising this strategy internally, or at least I hope so. Something like Final Cut Server made the check in . check out very rigid but very orderly. These days Cantemo Portal is filling the gap where Final Cut Server used to be a good fit. At a certain size and workflow using a DAM / MAM makes sense to organize assets and projects.

     

    Message was edited by: Mathieu Mauser (corrected a typo)