Dipping my toe back in to FCPX after using FCP7

Dear all,
This is my first post here.
I've just filmed a performance in a studio by a friend who wants a showreel and have jumped straight into FCPX after using FCP7 once for 4 months a few years ago. I work as a director so am not an experienced editor.
Anyway, I managed to import the HD rushes (Canon 5D mkII) and sync them with my sound rushes using the synchronise function and started editing.
When I returned to my edit after a day I couldn't find my edit and then realised I was editing within one of my synchronised clips - if that makes sense. I'm not sure how this happened or where 'the edit' should live.
Can someone help? I feel i should be saving an edit every time I shut down in a different location.
Many thanks,
Damon

Hi Dannon, and welcome to the forum.

Being able to open clips in their own timeline and modify them, or even add assets to them, is a great feature in FCP X... but also a tricky one.

You first need to create a new Project. Select File > New Project and the Project settings window will open. Use Custom Settings and your Project will have the same properties as the first clip you drop into the timeline (just like in good old FCP). Or use a different format and frame size as you wish.

Then open the clip into which you have done some editing into its own timeline (R-click > Open in Timeline) and copy the contents of this timeline. Then select the newly created Project and paste the contents into the Project's timeline. Now you have a real working Project.

When this is done don't forget to delete any unwanted content from the timeline of the clip you have been editing in (delete everything except the original clip and its audio, of course).

- Ronny

Hi Ronny,

Thanks for your speedy reply and advice. It's very useful.

A quick follow up question - do I leave all my imported rushes in the same place? ie. do I create the new project within the umbrella of the Event?

Thanks again,

Best Damon

Yes, you create the Project inside the Event where your Project gets its media from.

You can create a separate Event for Projects if you will create many different Projects with the same media, but most of the times we leave our Project inside the Event that holds the original media.

- Ronny