full startup disk

Hi, i have a problem. My startup disk is full. I can't continue working on my project. What can I do. Is it possible to copy my project to external disk and work on external disk or is it possible to delete any render files?

Thank you

What version are you using?

FCPX 10.1.3

You will need to make space on your startup disk before you can do anything else. Even when you copy files or projects over to an external drive your system needs space on the startup drive to store the intermediate cache files.

So don't do anything before you have created sufficient space on your system drive, or you might risk damaging the drive.

Yes, one thing you can do to create some space is to delete all your render files. If you are running 10.1.3 select your Library and choose File > Delete Generated Library Files. If your startup drive is really full you should delete as many files as you possibly can. You can delete all Render files and if you have created Optimized or Proxy media delete these as well, you can always regenerate those when you have copied the project over to your external drive.

When the startup drive has enough available space (which should always be at least 15 to 20% of its total capacity) you can move your Library to an external drive. If you have any doubts on how to do this, post back.

- Ronny

Hi,

thank you for quick reply. Which files I should delete? I can find folder, which you described...

Thank you

I meant your FCP X Library. It's better not to mess with FCP X files in Finder.

Can you launch FCP X and open your project, or cannot launch FCP X anymore with the full drive?

- Ronny

Yes, I can lauch fcpx. You mean these libraries on the left side on print screen?

Yes, that's it.

Select the Library (the icon with four stars named "Untitled") and choose File > Delete Generated Library Files



You will get a window asking you which files you wish to delete. Delete them all.



- Ronny

But I don't delete my project? :-DD

Which data I deleted with this step? My project will be still Ok?

This will not delete your project, it just will delete all the render files and any optimized or proxy media you have created for this project. You can regenerate these anytime you wish.

- Ronny

You are the best! Thank you so much!

You are very welcome.

If you have deleted your generated media, check your startup drive. Make sure the available space is at least 15 to 20% of the total capacity of your drive. If it isn't you will have to move more files to your external drive until you have a comfortable amount of available drive space.

If you have a decent external drive it is always best to put your FCP X projects on that drive and not on your startup drive.

- Ronny

May I just ask about this topic as well please?

I edit with all projects on 1TB external hard drives. But now I am getting a Full Start Up Disk warning. As I have 800GB remaining on my external hard drive I know this is referring my Mac's internal hard drive space.

Firstly, how do I free up space so I can continue editing please?

And secondly, how can I ensure in future that these render files or cache files are never stored on my internal hard drive again (external only)? I don't see any mention of it in FCPX preferences. I am using FCPX 10.2.3

Unfortunately I don't see the option to delete these files either when I right-click on the library folder. Please see screen grab attachment.

Thanks in advance!

James

It's not in the shortcut menu; it's in the File menu.

Hi James,

As Tom says, you need to select your Library in the Browser and then you choose File > Delete Generated Library Files. This will delete any render files you may have stored inside your Library.

If you keep your FCP X Libraries stored on your system drive but you want to prevent that Render files and Cache files also get stored on your system drive:

1. Select the Library in the Browser
2. Go to the Inspector and click the Modify Settings button. The storage location window will open.
3. In the storage locations window, click on the bar next to "Cache" and select Choose. Then choose your external drive, click Choose again to confirm and then OK to close the window.

From here on, no matter where your Library is stored, your render files will always be stored on your external drive. You need to do this for every new Library you create.

- Ronny

Thank you so much Tom And Ronny. Understood and it's full steam ahead now. Much appreciated!

James