Forcing Creation Date/Time As File Name

When I first started using FCPX, I also disliked the renaming of the files that were copied to the event folder, but soon got used to it and now I often appreciate it because, for me, it makes many things easier to find during editing.

Key wording is great, but sometimes there's no substitute for knowing what was shot at a given time of day for live events shot with multiple cameras, not all of which support timecode. Being able to find what each camera was doing at a given point in time by the filename has proved to be a real time saver when looking for alternate angles and/or sequence of event clips. Things like people walking through an entrance, where the two cameras are getting the outside then inside. Being able to find those via the filename alone is helpful.

In terms of being able to track back to card folders / archives, that's what I use the reel number for. As each card is imported I can label it's reel number and voila, instant trackback to original source if I need it. However, this is also why I'd like the option of being able to add a reel number at import time without having to go find all the files in the event browser and label them before importing the next card.

Obviously, if it's not working for you then having options would be nice.

"What would be nice is to be able to do it upon import like you can in FCP7. You can rename files in the Log and Transfer window."

I second that! Plus the ability to chose to rename Finder files when you rename Browser files, just like in FCP 7. That was hugely helpful.


"...sometimes there's no substitute for knowing what was shot at a given time of day for live events..."

Personally, I find the Content Created column in the Browser to be the best use for this. Having to read LONG names, that are often truncated and unreadable in the Browser is not easy, IMHO. And Camera name also lets me know what camera shot the footage, as upon import I know the names. To preview clips in the Import window with one name, and end up with a totally different name for those same clips in the Browser, I just don't see the logic in that. But, that's just how I work, personally. Not everyone works like I do. The more numbers and letters in a name, the more difficult it is for us legitimate dyslexics to deal with it.

Everyone works differently, so the flexibility has to be there.

So it seems the flexibility of FCP X would be greatly enhanced to fit multiple workflow needs by letting us chose to import with creation date/time OR original camera name, AND to change the Finder name when changing the Browser names. And I'm sure we'll see this in some future update.

BenB wrote: Everyone works differently, so the flexibility has to be there.

QUOTED FOR TRUTH!

Remember, flexibility is the key. Not everyone works the same way. Just because something is exactly the way YOU like it doesn't mean that's the only way it should be. I'm all for more options and preferences. Ronny (whm I haven't seen around here lately) has said that more options and preferences would clutter up the preference windows, making FCPX more complex. WHO CARES? If this was "Playskool's My First Non Linear Editor" then I would agree with that sentiment. But it's not. There needs to be flexibility and I don't think that's asking too much.

Flexibility within reason, overkill clutters things up.

But, I still see FCP X changing the camera's file name in the Finder, with no options, is just silly.