I'm struggling to organise my original media

Hi Guys,

Thank you in advance to anyone who can help me solve this FCPX issue.

When I create a Library, and look at the library in the inspector, near the top is "Storage Locations" - If you click "Modify settings" you can choose to store footage in "Final Cut Libraries" or "In Library" - it defaults to "Final Cut Libraries" - This means when I import footage, it is taken to 2 separate folders "Final Cut Original Media" and "Final Cut Optimized Media." I find this problematic as I can no longer just move the library from one drive to another.

The solution is to "modify settings" and choose "in Library" - where all footage is then stored inside the library, making it easier to transport.

So I have a few questions based on the above:

1) Is there any way to set this to default in "In Library" so all imported media gets put inside the library. At the moment, I am having to remember to do it and every time I forget, my folder structure grows into something I don't understand.

2) If you have a project that was begun with the storage locations set to "Final Cut Libraries" - how would you then move that library from one drive to another? How could you be sure you're taking all the associated assets with you?

Thanks to one and all!!

Phil

In Import prefs if you set to Copy to library storage location, and the library is set to In Library it should go into the library.

There are many ways to approach this. Personally I like to keep the media in a separate area on my drive and have the library just be a small file. Then If I need to move everything over to a different machine I know to move both the library and media folder(s). As long as the folders names stay the same then relinking media is automatic. It really depends on who you are sharing with (how many people and machines) and if they have the media files already or not. There have been many discussions on this forum about this subject (highlighting different methods) so maybe a search would be helpful too. Good luck!

I do select "Copy to Final Cut Libaries" in the Import Preferences, but the issue I'm facing is that the library defaults to storing imported media into the files outside the library... So if I don't remember to adjust the setting at the start of every project, I end up with files outside the library.

I then get confused as to how I can move that library. For example, in the Final Cut Optimized Folder it stores imported media from outside the library from MULTIPLE PROJECTS. I am therefore unable to move that folder off my drive unless I move both libraries that it is feeding.

Another issue that I see is that in the Import Preferences, you can select to import footage into the library, but because library settings defaults to saving footage outside of the library, again I am getting confused and stumped by the software... I've never had this issue before... only in the last year or so.

I searched on the forum, but didn't find anything relevant. Can anyone provide me with the link to a thread I could read?

Thank you !

Phil

The setting is Copy to library location. If you have the current library set for an external location that’s the setting that will be used for subsequent libraries. Projects are all based on the library they’re in. Set the library location to In Library in the library properties. This will be used for the next library you create. It will not be changed for any previously created libraries that may have different settings.

I think the issue here is that the OP has created a location called "Final Cut Libraries" which resides somewhere on his system. FCPX only offers "In Library" or "Choose", in which the latter allows you to point to or create a destination for the media. As Tom has suggested, choosing "In Library" will place all imported media in the "Original Media" folder of the event that it was imported into within the library that you create.

To get the media back into the library, rather than keeping it in an externally created location, you can consolidate the library media (as well as the event media) with FCPX's consolidate function.

Make sure the import window is set to "Copy to Library" and make sure the Library Storage location is set to "In Library".

phil@circuitfactory.ae wrote: I do select "Copy to Final Cut Libaries" in the Import Preferences, but the issue I'm facing is that the library defaults to storing imported media into the files outside the library... So if I don't remember to adjust the setting at the start of every project, I end up with files outside the library.

I then get confused as to how I can move that library. For example, in the Final Cut Optimized Folder it stores imported media from outside the library from MULTIPLE PROJECTS. I am therefore unable to move that folder off my drive unless I move both libraries that it is feeding.

As Tom said, if you have FCPX preferences set to "Copy Files to Library Storage Location", it will not necessarily honor this for a newly-created library if you first click on another library set for external storage. IOW it sets the storage location for a new library based on the last library you clicked on, not based on [your interpretation of] FCPX preferences.

If the last library you clicked on was set for "in library" storage, a newly-created library will use "in library" storage. But if the last library you clicked on was set for external storage, then the newly-created library will use THAT library's external storage location.

This can create the situation where you inadvertently have media for multiple libraries stored within a single FCPX storage location. You could then import material to two libraries that is actually stored in one folder tree.

Since FCPX organizes media storage by a simplified date-named folder system, this could place media files for multiple libraries within the same physical disk folder. Disentangling that would require setting each library's storage location to a unique disk folder (or to "in library"), then doing consolidate on each library.

I've spent lots of time studying FCPX media management, and it's still confusing. I think the UI should reflect the library storage configuration with more clarity and granularity. Quietly changing storage locations based on the last library you clicked on is especially confusing. In a legalistic way it is correct -- the preference says "Copy to library storage location". But it's not obvious that storage location changes based on the last library you clicked on.

Steve Martin has described aspects of FCPX storage management as "pretzel logic", and I agree.

Really sorry guys, but I'm still not getting this. Sorry if I haven't understood someone's advice correctly guys... Appreciate your patience.

If I start a library and REMEMBER to select a library, storage locations, "modify settings" and select "in library" - then the media gets put INSIDE the library. If I leave is on "Final Cut Libraries" it saves to folders outside the library (and ruins my life). When you select "in library" and select OK, it removes the option to switch to "Final Cut Libraries" - It just let's you select "in library" or "choose."

The above is cool... I get it... and I understand it.

The issue I have is that I now start a new library... the default is "Final Cut Libraries" - even if all my other libraries are "In Library." So every time I start a video, I am risking putting my files outside my library. I don't want this. It's pissing me off. I just want everything in the library.

Is it possible to tell FCPX to always choose to store imported media INSIDE the library?

Thank you !

Really sorry guys, but I'm still not getting this. Sorry if I haven't understood someone's advice correctly guys... Appreciate your patience.

If I start a library and REMEMBER to select a library, storage locations, "modify settings" and select "in library" - then the media gets put INSIDE the library. If I leave is on "Final Cut Libraries" it saves to folders outside the library (and ruins my life). When you select "in library" and select OK, it removes the option to switch to "Final Cut Libraries" - It just let's you select "in library" or "choose."

The above is cool... I get it... and I understand it.

The issue I have is that I now start a new library... the default is "Final Cut Libraries" - even if all my other libraries are "In Library." So every time I start a video, I am risking putting my files outside my library. I don't want this. It's pissing me off. I just want everything in the library.

Is it possible to tell FCPX to always choose to store imported media INSIDE the library?

Thank you !

Tom Wolsky wrote: Set the library location to In Library in the library properties. This will be used for the next library you create.

This is not what I am seeing in practice. I open a new library and the storage location settings is set to "Final Cut Libraries" automatically. So I switch it to "In library" do a project. Start a new library and it's back to "Final Cut Libraries."

Can you recommend a fix?

dgwvideo wrote: I think the issue here is that the OP has created a location called "Final Cut Libraries" which resides somewhere on his system. FCPX only offers "In Library" or "Choose", in which the latter allows you to point to or create a destination for the media. As Tom has suggested, choosing "In Library" will place all imported media in the "Original Media" folder of the event that it was imported into within the library that you create.

So am i the only person that is getting the option to store imported media into "Final Cut Libraries"?



Is there any way to remove this setting?

Phil

joema wrote: If the last library you clicked on was set for "in library" storage, a newly-created library will use "in library" storage. But if the last library you clicked on was set for external storage, then the newly-created library will use THAT library's external storage location.

This isn't what I am seeing.

As you can see. I have a library that is "In Library" then the next one I start is "Final Cut Libraries"

wetransfer.com/downloads/eba6fddc8618686...0190401052101/0a49a3

Help!

Try to locate the folder called "Final Cut Libraries" which seems that you have created at some point. If you have data in it, move that all to a new folder called something like "OLD Data" or whatever you prefer.
Next, delete the folder "Final Cut Libraries".
Restart FCPX while holding OPTION and COMMAND, and choose to delete preferences.
Now try to create a new library and observe your storage locations. This is the only thing I can think of to remove the stuck "Final Cut Libraries" folder. I assume you concur that this folder was created by you?

phil@circuitfactory.ae wrote: ...

As you can see. I have a library that is "In Library" then the next one I start is "Final Cut Libraries"
...

I don't see this behavior on my system. What version of FCPX are you running, what version of MacOS, and where are the libraries being stored -- internal system drive? External drive? NAS? If an external drive, is that HFS+, not exFAT or NTFS?

Have any of these drives ever been previously used as a Time Machine backup location? That can cause permissions issues.

Also have you tried resetting FCPX preferences as documented here: support.apple.com/en-us/HT203477

I believe FCPX normally reads the last library opened, reads the Settings.plist file inside the library, then applies that storage location for the next library created.

Your video shows you clicking on a managed library using "in library" storage, then creating a new library and FCPX sets media storage to the same folder you are keeping your libraries. It doesn't do that on my machine running FCPX 10.4.5 and Mojave 10.14.3.

I just deleted my preferences and the issue was resolved. Thanks to everyone who patiently helped me with this issue.

I've yet to come onto this Forum with an issue I can't resolve. It's FCP Magic.

Thanks again

Hi Phil,

I have the same exact problem. Nothing works to get it to default. You have any more tips on how you deleted your prefences files?

Thanks

This thread is based on older versions of the application. The current version does not behaved as described here. What version are you using? Please exactly describe what the problem you're seeing is, what you expect to happen, and what is actually happening.