It's not very glamorous, but backing up and archiving is essential to not only make sure you can return to a project at a later date, but also to free up space and move media to another drive. The new ARC-X app for FCPX does exactly that with a host of other features to make getting a project back from an archive easy.
Yes, FCPX does have a consolidation feature, but it is a one hit operation that monopolises a machine. It can also be tricky to configure to get the right Library settings before moving media.
ARC-X is a new archiving utility from Edit-Tools that has a host of features designed by an editor that help to backup, archive and then restore FCPX projects and media with a few clicks.
Priced at $75, and available now on the Mac App Store, ARC-X looks like it will take the headache out of restoring an old project, especially as it takes the untrimmed media, images, used fonts and Effects/Transitions.Generators/Titles - even if they are third-party Motion templates.
Take a look at the long list of features, we especially like the spreadsheet reporting which is always handy when you need to track down a rogue file.
- Dark Mode compatible
- 3 ways to interface ARC-X with FCPX
- Drag an FCPX project directly into ARC-X to start archiving
- All filters, effects, generators, transitions, and font information retained by ARC-X during the archiving process
- When restored to FCPX, your events and projects look exactly as they did before archiving
- Clips and sources are restored to their original lengths
- No shortening of clips with added “handles”
- Control exactly the media sources you want to archive
- ARC-X is fast and works well with other apps
- Runs in the background so you can keep editing
- ARC-X saves your font files along with its archived source media
- Your project’s titles restore exactly as they were created
- All plugin information is retained
- Detailed progress information is displayed so that you know exactly where you are in the archiving process
- Archives all FCPX-compatible video formats
- Archives all FCPX-compatible image files
- Archives all FCPX-compatible audio formats
- An archive can be stopped at any time
- ARC-X intelligently monitors storage space and lets you know before a storage device fills up
- When a storage device reaches capacity, ARC-X prompts you to connect another one so the archive can continue
- ARC-X creates a detailed inventory of the media in your project
- An Excel compatible spreadsheet lists all fonts used in your projects
- Lists all 3rd-party plugins used in your projects
- Lists all media files used in your projects
- Lists the original source path of all media files
- Lists the path of each archived media file
- Easily see where an original media source came from and where it was archived to
Although the app takes the media whole, it would be good if there was an option to trim media with handles. Possibly the developers might also consider tackling the tricky subject of flattening multi cams as well when archiving.
However, another great app that joins the ever-expanding FCPX ecosystem. If the app does restore everything with a few clicks, then we can see this paying for itself pretty quickly just based on time saved.
I am the Editor-in-Chief of FCP.co and have run the website since its inception ten years ago.
I have also worked as a broadcast and corporate editor for over 30 years, starting on one inch tape, working through many formats, right up to today's NLEs.
Under the name Idustrial Revolution, I have written and sold plugins for Final Cut Pro for 13 years.
I was made a Freeman of Lichfield through The Worshipful Company of Smiths (established 1601). Though I haven't yet tried to herd a flock of sheep through the city centre!
Current Editing
2020 has been busy, the beginning of the year was finishing off a new property series (cut on FCP) for Channel 4 called The Great House Giveaway. I also designed and built the majority of the graphics as Motion templates. It has been a great success and the shows grabbed more viewers in the 4pm weekday slot than any previous strand. It has been recommissioned by C4 for 60 episodes, including prime-time versions and five themed programmes. The shows have also been nominated for a 2021 BAFTA.
Although both were postponed to later in the year, I worked again on ITV's coverage of the Tour de France and La Vuelta. 2020 was my 25th year of editing the TdF and my 20th year as lead editor. The Tour was the first broadcast show to adopt FCPX working for multiple editors on shared storage.
BBC's Snooker has played a big part in my life, I've been editing tournament coverage since 1997. I'm proud to be part of a very creative team that has pioneered many new ideas and workflows that are now industry standard in sports' production. This is currently an Adobe Premiere edit.
Covid cancelled some of the regular corporate events that I edit such as trade shows & events. I was lucky however to edit, from home, on projects for Amazon Kindle, Amazon Black Friday, Mastercard and very proud to have helped local charitable trust Kendall & Wall secure lottery funding.
As for software, my weapon of choice is Final Cut Pro and Motion, but I also have a good knowledge and broadcast credits with Adobe Premiere Pro, MOGRT design and Photoshop.
Plugin Design & Development
I'm the creative force behind Idustrial Revolution, one of the oldest Final Cut Pro plugin developers. It hosts a range of commercial and free plugins on the site. One free plugin was downloaded over a thousand times within 24 hours of release.
I also take on custom work, whether it is adapting an existing plugin for a special use or designing new plugins for clients from scratch. Having a good knowledge of editing allows me to build-in flexibility and more importantly, usability.
FCP.co
Now in its 10th year and 4th redesign, running FCP.co has given me knowledge on how to run a large CMS- you are currently reading my bio from the database! Although it sounds corny, I am pretty well up on social media trends & techniques, especially in the video sector. The recent Covid restrictions has enabled live FCP.co shows online. This involves managing a Zoom Webinar through Restream.io to YouTube and Facebook.
The Future
I'm always open to new ideas and opportunities, so please get in touch at editor (at) fcp.co. I've judged film competitions, presented workflow techniques to international audiences and come up with ideas for TV shows and software programs!
