It gets a bit annoying when the title of your Final Cut Pro X export doesn't match your Project name when it comes to exporting. Why does this happen in FCPX and how can you fix it?
If you are like me, you probably do a lot of different versions or test exports of a Project from the same timeline. Rough cut, viewing copy, graphics export, there can be many different versions before the final master output.
So when the time comes for the final, final export, Final Cut Pro X has an annoying habit of not naming your exported movie correctly. Or in other words, you keep on having to type in the original name of the master.
So why does this happen?
If you name a project at the start and do not change anything, then that will be the name of your export.
(Note the 'Name' tag in the Title field)
If however, you export the project and call it something different such as 'Rough Cut' - Then this will be inserted into the Title field in the Project attributes in the inspector.
So when you go to do another export, it will be called 'Rough Cut' by default. This isn't good if you have explicitly named the project and you want to keep the naming convention correct.
So how do you fix this? Before 10.3 you could drag the Name tag from another field into the Title field. That's not the case in 10.3.
All you have to do is click on the disclosure arrow on the right hand side of the Attributes title.
Then select 'Update to Default' from the dropdown menu. This reinserts the 'Name' tag into the Title parameter and the export name should now match the Project name.
Until you call it something else that is!
It might be a very simple tip, but it drove me mad before I found the easy solution on how to fix it.
Just as a footnote, FCP.co contributor and FCPX trainer and editor Chris Roberts had a quick read of this before publication. He suggested the same thing can be accomplished by typing 'Name' back into the Title field. More ley presses of course, but same outcome. He also suggested a read of this Apple Help Document that just might be the start of another article!
Peter Wiggins is a broadcast freelance editor based in the UK although his work takes him around the world. An early adopter of FCP setting up pioneering broadcasts workflows, his weapon of choice is now Final Cut Pro X.
You can follow him on Twitter as @peterwiggins or as he runs the majority of this site, you can contact him here.
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!
