FCP 6.0.6 to FCP X

I want to upgrade from Snow Leopard to El Capitan on my MAC Pro multi processor... I have been using FCP 6.0.6 since it came out. El Capitan does not work with my version of FCP, so I will have to upgrade to FCP X - question: can I still work on my projects that I started in version 6.0.6 in version X ???

The projects won't open in X. You have to export an XML file, convert it using the 7toX utility to an CML format FCPX can read and open that in X. You need to have all the medua available.

Thanks so much, the more i read the more i am seeing it - i really like FCP 6 but looks like i'm going to relearn Premiere. Not sure i'm going to El Cap yet, but someday i will have to advance.

if you are running SL on a machine I would suggest leaving it as is with your current FCP7 setup until you finish off all projects & installing another startup disk to run the latest OSX on. Chances are if your machine is running SL it may not be up to the task of running the latest OSX anyway so I would check that first. You'll spend a little on 3rd party apps to get a somewhat okay translation of FCP7 projects into FCPX. You might find it frustrating & wish you would've just finished the projects in 7.

Karl,
I work for an aviation expert creating real time aviation accidents in 3D, and sometimes have to refer back to a project and make changes and this could be over a few years, and i have several cases in the middle of completion, so this presents a problem. I'm thinking I will not change to a newer OS system and keep what I have but start using Premiere for new cases, then when I do switch, I can use Premiere regularly. I have a MAC super tower so I might hang onto this one with FCP and consider a new tower when I switch over. Progress can be so frustrating. Thanks for your help..

Using XtoCC (on app store), you can transfer your projects. However, if you're unfamiliar with FCP X, your head may explode. it's best to learn X before you attempt this. I'd recommend looking on eBay or other places for an up grade copy of Final Cut Studio 3. (make sure it's 3!) This does run on El Capitan (mostly, compressor will not). Then you can make the switch at a more leisurely pace to get comfortable with X while you continue in FCP 7. Moving to X is totally worth it but it's best to ease into it...

I think you need the other utility 7toX. It will read 6.0.6 XML files.

I would suggeast finish uncompleted FCP6 projects. Install FCPX, buy a months subscription to Lynda.com or Ripple Training, get to know FCPX, start new projects in X, remember the bad old days of clip collisions, painful insane inducing multicam, whilst working on pain free creative projects...
Let the 1990's stay in the 90's...Move on and upwards...X is the way forward... :lol:

Hi Carol
You don't mention which MP you have. Some of the earliest MPs 1.1-2.1s(?) officially got left behind by Apple and Lion was the last OS they supported. You can "hack" them to run the latest OS (El Capitan) but they also require certain Graphics Cards (GPUs). So check your model against FCPX/OS requirements.
If you have an older model and want to update/upgrade I can give you some websites to follow.

As to FCP6, you can run it on El Capitan(AFAIK) but you need to either use Migration Assistant (I don't recommend use of MA) or do a fresh install using a Disk Image of the FCP installer. You can also install using Terminal.

I highly recommend you try to finish any projects and then learn FCPX and don't look back.

Since you have a MP, you can do a fresh clean install of El Capitan on a brand new drive, install updated software and leave your old OS and apps on the current drive. Anytime you need files you can access them on old drive or copy and paste. When absolutely needed, you can boot back into the old OS by holding down the "Option" key at startup and select old system.

Some other things to be aware of is that due to vast changes in underlying frameworks/ library structure, etc…, you should read up on moving from older versions of FCP(X) and latest version of FCPX. Event Manager and as mentioned 7toX are your friends.

I think you will really like the new FCPX, but forget everything you learned in legacy FCP. X is a whole new animal, better, faster and in most ways more powerful.

Hope this helps, Greg

Maybe in it's day Final Cut Studio 2 and 3 was great, but when I compare 6 to X, it is like the Wright's Flyer and the A380...Both planes but I know which I would prefer to fly in...

FCPX is a new beast, takes time to tame, but omg the unleashed creative power you have with auditions, multicam, and so on....I love X...Even if X cost 3 times as much, still a bargain!!!