FCP X: Change Clip Date or Time

I was under the assumption that modifying the file creation date and time took place both inside and outside of FCPX. However, when I changed some file creations dates inside FCPX from the Modify tab, it did in fact change the creation date and time of the selected files in the event browser, but didn't change the creation date and time for the files in finder. It did however change the file modification date for the files in finder.

This caused a problem for me when Carbon Copy kicked in and did a backup of my FCPX working drive to my backup drive. It had to actually take the time to delete and re-clone the files which FCPX had changed the modification dates.

So what's the story? Is FCPX suppose to also change the data for the files in Finder as well? If so, it's not working that way.


My end goal actually is to change the data on the files only in FCPX and not on my hard drive so I don't have to re-clone files to my backup drive. Does that make sense?

So you're saying it changes the creation date for some files on the Finder level, and some files not?

No, It changed all of the file creation dates/times for the files inside FCPX's event browser, but changed NONE of the file creation dates/times in finder. But, it did change all of the effected file modification dates in the finder to the date and time I made the changes in X.

"No, It changed all of the file creation dates/times for the files inside FCPX's event browser, but changed NONE of the file creation dates/times in finder."

OK, then NO file metadata was changed at the Finder level, good.

"But, it did change all of the effected file modification dates in the finder to the date and time I made the changes in X."

Now you are contradicting yourself, saying it DID change the file metadata at the Finder level.

I'm confused...

It did NOT change the "Date Created" data at the finder level, but it DID change the "Date Modified" date at the finder level. That is 2 different metadata fields Ben, not one in the same.

So bottom line, my Carbon Copy Clone had to recopy those files because of the modified "Date Modified" date field had changed. That's no good!

Ah, gotcha. So Modified Date was changed. Odd.

I'm testing it now, and no clip I change a date for is getting any changes to the original QT file in the Finder. I've tested on both original media and aliases in the Event file.

If you are indeed getting this behavior, report it to Apple, it's not supposed to be happening. Changing the creation date/time in FCP X is supposed to be a non-destructive metadata in the Event database.

Sorry, I can't duplicate this.

Okay wait.... I've tried it again on a different batch of files, and apparently I had the box labeled "Change File creation dates as well" checked within the Adjust Clip Date and Time screen.

Tried it without that check box selected, and it did NOT change ANY metadata at the finder level. So that's a good thing, apparently my bad.

However, if checking that box is suppose to change the "Date Created" field at the finder level, it's not doing so. It's just changing the "Date Modified" field. So that seems like a bug, doesn't it?

Would you test that for me on your end Ben before I send it in as a bug to Apple? Thanks!

The modified date should change to the date and time anything about that clip was changed, including the Created Date. So that is correct, when you change the creation date and tell FCP to change the actual "file", the modified date should change to right then. That much is working properly for me. If you don't see that done correctly, doubled check your system date and time.

BUT, the actual creation date the Finder is reading is not actually changed. That is a bug for sure. I've used this feature in the past and it worked properly. This is a 10.0.6 bug. Let's go report it!

Thanks for checking Ben. Reporting it now. Noah and I are on a first name basis.


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