Why is FCP so complex : how do i simply quit a project and start a new one, new destination ?

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Level 3

558 points

Why is FCP so complex : how do i simply quit a project and start a new one, new destination ?

Why isn't FCP more intuitive to create new project and close the one on screen, then start a new one and let me choose where I want to create it ?

I needed a 3rd party app to import miniDV video content on an external HDD. Stuff is there for sure.

Now I open FCP and do try to start a new project. However, that old project still there just let me option to do it in same folder: which of course, being an ordered person, I do not want.

I want to create it an in different folder on that external HDD.

What am I doing wrong ?

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6), i7, 8GB memory

Posted on Sep 4, 2016 3:31 PM

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Answer 1

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Sep 4, 2016 7:43 PM in response to lanstrad1

Hi there.

Bear in mind that a project must reside in an event and an event must reside in a library.

You can have as many libraries as you like an store them where ever you like (although you should avoid saving them on a Time Machine volume.

So start a new project in a new library or in a new event in an existing library to keep things orderly.

Not sure I understand the part about needing a third party app for mini DV. You should not need anything more than FCP.

Russ

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Answer 2

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,816 points

Sep 4, 2016 3:40 PM in response to lanstrad1

Nothing whatsoever. You just don't know how to use the application. The application opens with the last project you were working on open in the Timeline. If you want to create a new project, press Cmd-N. You have the option to select in which event (folder) the project is saved. As soon as it's created it will open in the Timeline pane. No need to close anything.

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Answer 3

lanstrad1 Author

Level 3

558 points

Sep 4, 2016 3:57 PM in response to Russ H

Well. thanks.. but so intuitive that I still don't get it...

Cmd + N indeed provide a more detailed window, but it still don't let me choose where I want to pick nor place my project... I am yet prompted with selecting in the ''IN EVENT'' window with only options that were worked before... I still don't get an option that would free me to chose (or create) whatever folder I have not opened before.

I'm from the Adobe Premiere mindset... Sorry if this does not look obvious 🙂

I have done about 12 projects with FCP so far, and the more I'm experienced with it, the more I have a hard time to use it with the tree logic...

Cheers,

Rob

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Answer 4

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,816 points

Sep 4, 2016 7:42 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

First, there are no folders, well, none that are useful to you in this instance. This is the organizational structure: the production has a library; the library has events, which you might think of as folders; the edit is done in a project which is in one of the events.

So if you don't want it in an existing event, create a new event. If you don't want it in the same library, create a new library.

Yes, it would be nice I guess to create a new event from inside the new project dialogue, but surely it's not so onerous to create the event first. BTW when you create a new event, there is a checkbox in the event dialogue to create a new project in it.

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Answer 5

BenB

Level 6

13,324 points

Sep 4, 2016 7:18 PM in response to lanstrad1

Perhaps reviewing the user manual would help.

http://help.apple.com/finalcutpro/mac/10.2/#/ver26ccfda0

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Answer 6

lanstrad1 Author

Level 3

558 points

Sep 4, 2016 7:48 PM in response to Russ H

thanks everyone. Guess I could finaly figure out a way.

However, one new issue arised : after creating a new project, I wanted to import media (as I usually do). First file I tries is about 14GB large, but refused to import - while the movie, outside of FCP is a .MOV and opens perfectly in QT ! Prompted by ''No importable files - None of the selected files or folders can be imported''

Why would a .MOV file could not be imported in FCP ?

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Answer 7

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,816 points

Sep 4, 2016 11:43 PM in response to lanstrad1

PProbably need to know more about the specs. What's your usual import method? Might be a drive problem. Where's the file? What drive? How is it formatted?

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Answer 8

lanstrad1 Author

Level 3

558 points

Sep 5, 2016 7:39 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

I use this 3rd party and the ''uncompressed'' option (until now... I was believing it was the best - did not experience the issue above with other captures) : see this for description:http://www.lifeflix.com/pages/importing-compression-exporting-saving

Reason why I went to a third party: going the FCP way with this Canon HV30 (miniDV tapes) has been an issue - no sound in FCP while I had the sound when playing back in QT... So tried this 3rd party and it worked - just the ''don't fix it if it's not broke'' so far... I usually do direct to FCP with AVCHD camera (SONY).

The HDD is external (WD MyBook USB 3, so speed should not be at cause).

I now start to wonder if going the ''single file'' approach (13GB) may be at cause, or maybe I should redo capture (cam to computer) with the ''compressed'' option described in link above ?

Any other idea ?

Thanks again

Rob

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Answer 9

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,816 points

Sep 5, 2016 8:03 AM in response to lanstrad1

How is the WD drive formatted?

You can also capture DV using the QT player.

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Answer 10

lanstrad1 Author

Level 3

558 points

Sep 5, 2016 7:06 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

Mac OSX Journaled.

For QT : I had read it is only QT 7 Pro - no longer available (or if you find it, it's not possible to activate (I had a licence QT Pro under Windows, but code would not work under OSX...)

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Answer 11

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,816 points

Sep 5, 2016 7:29 PM in response to lanstrad1

TThat's incorrect or very obsolete information. QTX can capture from tape.

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