Cannot open .fcpevent backup file. Am I am moron? (be gentle)

Hi guys, I am trying to remain calm as I look upon a potential loss of 6 weeks work...
I am hoping it's because I am a moron, and not because I actually lost this work.
I have a very complexe edit with 20 tracks of audio for the final battle scene of a feature movie.
I temporarily deleted 90% of the scene to export one chunk. Then accidentally closed fcpx. Could no longer undo (it would seem).
So, went to the '***.fcpevent' in the backup folder, but it won't let me open it saying it should be opened from 'within final cut pro' - something I just don't understand (the moron bit). I can't find a way to open it.
Since the original fcpevent file is still large (70mb), and there is no question of anything being 'corrupt' (other than the editor) can I assume I have not lost all 6 weeks edits?
How could I open this backup fcpevent file?

Can someone please help me with this, or I will become an alcoholic.

Lessons learned:

1- Always duplicate a Project before doing serious changes.

2- To export just a segment, make a range with the Range tool (R) and only that segment of the Timeline will export.

3- You have to move that backup file into the regular location of the CurrentVersion file, and rename it CurrentVersion.fcpproject.

That backup file is updated every 15 minutes. So it may or may not reflect your changes.

First, thanks for your quick answer!
Second, I clock only 50% moronic in this instance:

1) I did duplicare my project, but a few days before. I could not open that one either.
2) yes, I knew there must be a way to do this! Thanks.
3) I am doing that now, but... fcpx is blocking and 'not responding', like it doesn't like the duplicated file I made (which I changed name and moved where you suggested).
Could you suggest a reason it is seems to be blocking?

Also - and this is the stranger thing - as I tried to open my 15 min backup fcpevent file, every time I tried (but failed) it would change size, reduce and reduce, until it was the exact of the accidentally cut original file - basically BECOMING the original truncated file.

help much appreciated

rectification: I was just able to open the duplicated file after 3rd attempt.

This leaves me with just one question: since my original fcpevent file is still so large (70mb), doesn't it suggest that my edit decisions should still be there somewhere, accessible somewhere in the database? Are undos really ONLY available prior to a fcpx closing down?

Thanks

Get this- npassociatesllc.com/backupsforfcp/ for 18 bucks. Do it ummm... right now. :-)

Digital Rebellion, free app, Preference Manager, use it to trash your FCP X pref files.

Delete all render files for projects and associates events (in the File menu).

All apps normally erase their UNDO histories when you quit out of them.

Also, the very robust and time tested "Pro Versioner" from Digital Rebellion is reliable.

First week of April another app should be released that does this, plus tons of other stuff.

Thanks for all that.

I thought fcpx was a small step for EDL's a huge leap for mankind, with all that database stuff.
What is the point of keeping ALL data of each and every change made, if one can only undo a fraction of it,and undo only after you last opened the software?
Surely grand progress would be to be able to actually USE all that info, and decide 'hey let's go to last thursday's edit' - since it's theoretically all there...
Many thanks guys!

I have to ask. Why are you trying to open the EVENT back up when clearly you should be opening the PROJECT backup?

remember I said be gentle with me...

Yes, you'd do well to ask!
I have watched the tutorials here, I have read larry jordan articles, consulted a chaman magician, and still, still, I don't really understand how to manage projects and events, and their differences. Though I know it is simple. So I just press buttons, and hope.
I've used fcpx since it first came out.
(I never passed a maths or logic exam in my life).

The problem with reading "articles" is you only get "tips and tricks". You don't get taught a real workflow, or get a solid foundation in how the app works. I'd recommend doing the full macProVideo courses. I have a course on media management that covers all of this on macProVideo. Solid, quality, proper "training" is important for an app that is this deep. I feel it could save you tons of headaches in the long run. Just saying...

• An Event is a database that points to the original media files.
• A Project is a database that points to one or more Event databases.
• When FCPX creates them, they have unique ID numbers.
• Duplicating or copying inside FCPX, it gives the new ones unique ID numbers, keep FCPX clean.
• Duplicating or copying in the Finder gives you copies with the same ID number, which confuses FCPX.
• Fact of life, all apps lose their UNDO history when you quit them.
• To export a segment of a timeline, or clip in the browser, draw a Range on any clip for the desired segment. Exporting only uses the portion indicated by a Range, of a clip in the Browser, or segment of a Timeline. No Range selected, the whole thing exports.

thanks for taking the time to answer all the points (except that, surely, it could really not be so complicated to aler this 'fact of life' re undos...).
I look upon tutorials with the same dread I looked upon impending maths exams.
However, I will indeed try to go through a real tutorial, if only because I am due to work with a pro editor soon, and need to know basics.
Thanks!

If every app kept unlimited UNDO history lists, your hard drive space would be eaten up pretty quickly.

To quote Mohammad Ali, "Fear is nothing." If you don't just do it, it won't get done. Studying a course is not taking a test. No one looks over your shoulder, no one really cares if you do it or not. You do the courses and educate yourself to become a better, stronger, smarter person. Nothing to fear there. Do them at your own pace.

Dreading learning something new is not healthy. Dreading self improvement is not healthy. You should be really excited about it. It is FUN! Learning new things should be a RUSH!

If you're going to work with a pro soon, you really need to dive into the courses ASAP and study hard. Or you WILL have something to dread.

Later is another word for Never.

that's great and so true if you can learn everyday u lose the track where is the thing going.

GUYS! k have a question hope someone help, just wrote to you but share it here in case someone could use the help too..

l finished in fcpx with a project for a friend , save the CurrentVersion.fcpproject file and original videos in the hard drive, now lt need some changes and when l try to open that project in a new event. l get the
Open documents from within Final Cut Pro.window. so , l cant see my project.

Please help l got a deadline and is like right away and l feel lost, this never happened to me.

thankss so much
peace everyone!!
Alberto -- from Cozumel Island, México

You didn't say what version you're using but if you are trying to open a project from the Finder, it won't work. You need to open it from within the application. If it's a project that was created in an earlier version of Final Cut than you're currently using, you'll have to first update it. When updating, FCP needs to see the the events and projects in specific folders and in specific locations. So if they have been moved, post back to people here can help you sort it out.

Russ