Fcpx Help

[Lurch]

Howdy folks!

Just been going through my 1TB drive wondering where all the space had gone, and it's all on FCPX libraries.

So, when you guys create a new project and import media, what's actually worthwhile? Obviously unless you're collaborating there's no point in importing original media, that's probably a given.

What do you think to options like creating optimised or proxy media? Where and when do these become worthwhile? All the project settings are far and above the standard at which cameras record, so any point in doing anything to this media has anyone found?

My New Project settings are basically to set the resolution manually, usually the same as source, or match the lowest res/frame rate of material I will be using. Audio is Stereo 48k, and the Render format, Apple ProRes 422, I've no idea what the others do TBH.

Import settings are currently to leave files in place and to create optimised and proxy media.

What settings do you use and why?

Cheers!

 

[RoninK6]

I import my media... just in case it gets erased somewhere else . I have one HDD dedicated to only FCPX stuff... so whenever I transfer the 4.xGB files from my Sony Action Cam to the main HDD, I then import them into FCPX (I know, it's duplicating a step but it's saved me once ). I only import media I'm going to use, though. Then when everything's uploaded to YouTube, I delete the project & original media only save the encoded YouTube file on the FCPX drive.
I don't optimize video... on some Macs, it can take forever and my philosophy is "what you see is what you've got" . Now last night I was experimenting with audio and it does help .
Tried with proxy media but it seems like things have to be just right in order to do it... or at least it used to be that way .
I let the project set the resolution based on source. Audio is the best it can be.
On exporting and encoding... I use Compressor to encode my YouTube file... man it's nice with the newest version ! So I export the project as a master file onto the main HDD, then use Compressor to encode the YouTube file onto the FCPX HDD. Once that's complete, I erase the master movie file.
In Compressor, the settings are up to 1920x1080px; H.264 multi-pass; CALVC entropy, automatic fps; watermark bottom-right title-safe .5 alpha (repeated), optimize for network use (fast start I believe); resize & retiming filter set to best, 44.10 stereo... supposedly these are good settings and I think I agree .

Anywho, that's my two cents . Good stuff, man, good stuff !

 

[teroff]

+1 to RoninK6 post. I have 1TB external drive just for my videofiles. And I keep all MotoVlog related files on it.

 

[RoninK6]

I've made a bit of an alteration in my routine... I now export the master file to the FCPX HDD. Discovered that though it takes a bit longer to export, my Mac is usable and writing isn't much of a problem during the encode .

Just an addendum ~.....

 

[LionsGripp]

When I used iMovie. I was able to put a 10 min clip in there and cut it down to the parts I wanted and delete the rest from the hard drive. I guess Apple took that feature out of Final Cut Pro and iMovie. I'm in the same boat as you guys.

So I guess there is no way to trim clips and delete unused to save HD space? The last vid I made is taking up 20 Gb. This sucks.

 

[Lurch]

20GB? In FCPX? Wow. Amazing how it can make it 10x the size of the original files

 

[LionsGripp]

Because I throw in movie clips from youtube. So on top of the 3 min clips from my ride that I use for 10 sec parts. I have 4 min videos that I use for 3 sec clips.

It sucks, but it's probably made worse because I'm a rookie. I just figured out how to delete rendered filed.

The bottom half of Ronin's 1st post is still Greek to me.

 

[LionsGripp]

Good news is I complained to Apple and they gave me a refund. So I still have FCP and got my 300 buck back. Still spent 50 on Motion 5 and have no idea what it does or how to use it.

 

[Lurch]

Motion isn't for editing, it's for creating titles and effects.

If you don't have a beefy Mac, you will find playback in Motion can be at a reduced pace, so you need to test what you do in FCPX. Loads of great turorials on YT, just look at something like creating a title and take it from here. If you go to my channel, all my latest randoms videos have had the intro, outro and titles created in Motion

 

[LionsGripp]

Sweet. Thanks Lurch.