Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

0 points

Final Cut Pro won't open any of my projects.

I had a one month break not having time to work on my videos, during which I have updated Final Cut Pro X to version 10.1.1. Now my projects have vanished from the library, and it won't open .fcpevent or .fcpproject files. When browsing in Finder, everything looks as it always has, but Final Cut library shows only the original clips, none of the edited work. If I try to open .fcpproject file, it states that "The document “CurrentVersion.fcpproject” could not be opened. Final Cut Pro cannot open files in the “Final Cut Pro Project” format." Months of work on a sketch series has thus just disappeared, and my backups are just as useless as the originals. I'm new to Final Cut and edit videos as my hobby and don't quite understand all the features. I've got no idea what to do or try.

Final Cut Pro X, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Jan 26, 2014 6:11 AM

18 replies

Jul 9, 2014 10:12 AM in response to San-na

I have this same problem. I don't mean to be ungrateful, but it's interesting these forums produce so many "helpful" tips that aren't helpful at all. A link to what's new in FCPX is not going to fix the problem you stated, so I'm going to state it again from my point of view:

-- I have an iMac, fully loaded 16Gb memory, plenty of disk space (Tb's), running 10.9.3 Maverick

-- I'm looking at a file in my finder: Macintosh HD/Final Cut Events/Johnny Cool movie folder/CurrentVersion.fcpevent (dated September 2013)

-- In the same folder are several other folders: Backups, Original Media, Render Files, Shared Items.

-- I have BOTH FCP 7 and FCPX on this machine.

-- From the finder, you can't open this file.... it opens as a text file (just gibberish code)... the .fcpevent extension is associated with any program.

-- It can't be opened from either FCPX or FCP7.

-- Since the file is close to a year old, I can't quite remember which program I would have used, but obviously, I now want to reopen the file and I can't.

Here's the question: How do I open a .fcpevent file to get my work back?

I'll even offer a guess.... did Apple cause the FCPX update to have a new format for files and this just needs updated somehow to the new format?

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Jul 9, 2014 11:04 AM in response to Paul Vesco

Paul Vesco wrote:

I'll even offer a guess.... did Apple cause the FCPX update to have a new format for files and this just needs updated somehow to the new format?

There have been 12 updates since FCP X was first released… and each new version has required that the pre-existing FCP X projects and events be updated to be compatible with that new version.

You haven't said what version of FCP X you're currently using (or what OS you're running) so you may or may not have to update the files. One thing for sure, though: you cannot open the files you describe in the Finder. They need to be opened from within the application.

Russ

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,058 points

Jul 9, 2014 11:06 AM in response to Paul Vesco

You cannot open that file. The applications opens it when it reads it in the correct location. The file path you show is for an old version of the software. What software version are you using?

Macintosh HD/Final Cut Events

If Macintosh HD is your system drive, then the events folder and probably the projects are in the wrong location. On the system drive, FCPX will only read projects and events that are in the home/Movies folder. That folder should hold a folder called Final Cut Events for your events and another called Final Cut Projects for your projects.

Final Cut Pro won't open any of my projects.