How to Name Files for easy workflow

What is the recommended way to name files on import or name files from camera rolls by batch for fast & easy workflow?

There are as many schemes for file naming as there are productions.

Go to Modify > Apply Custom Name > New, and create your naming scheme. Select multiple clips at once in the Browser, then apply that preset, and they'll all change at one time to conform to your custom renaming preset.

The only problem I have with the so-called renaming function of FCP X is it actually does not change the name of the clip ... except in the browser for the Event where the change took place. If you perform a Finder/Spotlight search for a referenced clip using the name applied in FCP X ... it is impossible to achieve a result.

The reason I find this troubling is if you are in a work environment where multiple users/editors need access to all assets ... changing the name utilizing FCP X is not very helpful ...as you could end up with tons of clips still named IMG_1483.mov ... which would negate a Finder search for a more specific name utilized in a previous FCP Event, Project or Library.

I have adopted the workflow of renaming images as part of the process when I download my clips from the camera card using Clip Wrap to re-wrap my camera's .mts files as .mov files. However, I do use Lightroom Library (previously I used Aperture for this) to manage all my video archive and sometimes rename the clips there before importing any assets into FCP X.

Just as I have done with all my still images for the past several decades, once I rename my video files using my business/system specific naming structure, I never, ever change the names again. This method guarantees much less hassle or the possibility of errant duplication and makes the task of searching out specific files much easier and more accurate regardless of the software utilized for asset management.

Hopefully we will soon see a unification of keywords, star ratings and color labels across OS X and all of Apple's apps so that all our tools can recognize more than a filename in tracking our digital assets.

I've never had a need to find my clips from the Finder. I can do that much more easily from inside FCPX (reveal in finder). But that's just me.

I think you probably want to look at "Final Cut Library Manager".
www.arcticwhiteness.com/finalcutlibrarymanager/

If you have multiple editors accessing the same media, and one changes the Finder name, it is disconnected from the other editor's projects (offline) and they won't be able to find it via Spotlight. So in a multi-editor situation, chaining Finder level names could be a disaster.

You can always see the clip's original name in the Inspector, by adding Original Name to the metadata view.

You can also assign keywords in the Finder, create smart collections in the Finder, and FCPX will import that metadata, also.

But the old FCP7 fiction of changing media names in the Finder is a feature some folks want back. So fill out the feedback form and ask for it. I'm sure we'll see it sooner or later.

This is interesting. Here is a question:

Let say you have a clip that you synchronized a seperate audio track with. Is there a way to "reveal in finder" both the video and the seperate audio track?

Normally after I sync seperate audio and video, I"ll delete from the browser the individual pre-syned clips to keep my library less cluttered, so I just have the synced clips.

Thanks.

JL

That's interesting ButchM. While I don't rename my camera original video files out side of FCPX, I often rename other assets (stock footage, sound effects, etc.) before I import them. For archive purposes I have found it is sufficient (and preferable for me) to maintain the original naming structure of the video files - I mostly shoot on RED cameras - but put them into an enclosing folder that reflects the project, date, client, etc. Easy to find for me.

In a few words, I rely of FCPX's renaming function to manage media inside the program and I use Name Mangler to rename media outside FCPX before import. I also use a program called Folda to create a consistent folder structure to keep all my files and media for all my projects.

For anyone interested, you can check out Name Mangler here: manytricks.com/namemangler/

And, Folda Here: www.capsasoft.com/folda.html

BenB wrote: I've never had a need to find my clips from the Finder. I can do that much more easily from inside FCPX (reveal in finder). But that's just me.

I think you probably want to look at "Final Cut Library Manager".
www.arcticwhiteness.com/finalcutlibrarymanager/

A few things ... First, it's nice if you have never had to find assets outside of FCP X ... you should keep in mind, that not all users face the same complexities of workflow. If all my video work was just for my own circumstances, I suppose I could get by using an FCP only solution.

However, I have two clients that utilize several different editors for various projects and many of our assets need to be interchangeable and available to all. Some of the other videographers/editors don't use FCP X or even OS X. Some of my fellow contractors use Premier Pro, some Avid, some FCP X ... yet we all need to be on the same page as far as our basic digital assets are concerned.

If we all use our own flavor du jour for naming conventions and clip/asset management ... what kind of a total confusing mess do you think we would have in virtually no time at all? When I choose how to accomplish such tasks, I can't only think of myself and my personal preferences.

Even for my own assets, I and my staff shoot hundreds of thousands of stills per year and tens of thousands of video clips ... At the end of the year, I could easily have dozens of clips named "GOPRO008" How does "sort of" renaming those clips in FCP X help someone else outside of my little realm easily find and use those assets? ... If another contractor that wishes to utilize one of these similarly named clips in Premier Pro on a Windows platform to complete his portion of a larger or follow-up project ... How is Final Cut Library Manager going to help him find what he needs?

Secondly, I purchased and use Final Cut Library Manger sight unseen the day it was released. As soon as I saw Tim Armes was one of the developers, I knew I had to have it. Tim had developed many of the extremely valuable plugins I use each and every day in Lightroom.

As much as I love FCLM, and it does a wonderful job with the Libraries, Projects and Events I create in FCP X ... it is of little use to coordinate, archive and maintain the individual clip assets used there for making those same assets available elsewhere outside of FCP X.

True asset management must be built so it is software independent and stand the test of time. Mainly because the tools we will be using in the next decade, won't be at all like anything we are using today.

I know it's a hard pill to swallow, but there will be a day (maybe not in the near future, but eventually) where we will not have FCP available in any form to use ... yet our current and past assets need to be available for use with those future options ...otherwise why bother to keep them at all?

"...so I just have the synced clips."

Easy, right-click the sync clip (which is simply a specialized type of compound, with its own Timeline), "Open In Timeline".

But why delete the originals? Simply create a Sync Clip smart collection or something to make the sync easy to fine. The original "files" stay in the Library, even if you delete their individual containers in the Browser, which seems counter productive to me.

"I know it's a hard pill to swallow, but there will be a day (maybe not in the near future, but eventually) where we will not have FCP available in any form to use ... yet our current and past assets need to be available for use with those future options ...otherwise why bother to keep them at all?"

Then you use external media, simple. It doesn't all have to be inside the Library. No big deal there.

I always use external media ... which is why I was pointing out how relatively (notice I stipulated "relatively") useless the rename function is in FCP X ... sure it changes the filename inside the app ... but that is of little help if the external file is to be utilized elsewhere by others. One must still use another software option to rename the file.

In other applications that offer a bit deeper asset management, Aperture, Lightroom, Media Pro, etc. ... when you "change" a file name ... you actually change the file name ... not sort of change the file name.

Thinkfilm, thank you for the tip about Name mangler, Great software.

You're welcome, Makki. It's a nice tool and the developer (Many Tricks) support has been great.

"...but that is of little help if the external file is to be utilized elsewhere by others. One must still use another software option to rename the file."

In which case renaming files in the Finder is NOT wanted at all! Because then no editor knows what file you're talking about, if you all just rename things randomly.

What makes you think we are all naming these files in a willy nilly individual fashion? Don't you think that is an absurd conclusion? I did state "utilized" not "re-named" by others ... I may be relatively new to FCP X and to this forum ... but it's not my first digital rodeo ... My archive spans over four decades. I have more than a curious passing interest about longevity in maintaining such tasks over time.

All digital assets used by me personally and in the workgroups I oversee are renamed from the camera generated naming format, to a pre-specified format that removes the likelihood of ever resulting in more than one file with the same name. This naming change only occurs once upon download to the server from the camera/card prior to first use. Once that name has been set and the file is saved to the server ... the name is NEVER to be changed by anyone. Period. That way we are ALWAYS on the same page and why I pointed out the renaming feature in FCP X is nearly completely useless in my workflow.

This thread is entitled

"How to Name Files for easy workflow"

... followed by ...

"What is the recommended way to name files on import or name files from camera rolls by batch for fast & easy workflow?

I was merely pointing out that in actual use ... renaming files on import with FCP X isn't a solution, if you desire to apply that name to the actual file. If you merely wish to set a more personal reference to a file to only be used by you and don't ever expect another user will ever have to sort your reference from the original file name and potentially encounter duplicate file names ... then sure, the rename function in FCP X is a pretty stellar tool.

Hey iKitty2, did you get your answer? I think ButchM and BenB have found what works best for them.

Yes I now use Name Manger - it is great and thanks - I have found all this on line help terrific.