'Intelligent Import' idea for FCP-X

Just suggested this to Apple - useful ?

----

For Importing and Optimising files how about an 'intelligent import' option which chooses to optimise OR copy based on the original file format. For Example I would like all files in my project to reside in the FC events folder but I don't want disk space to be wasted by copying files which then also get optimised.

In particular H264 files from DSLRs, 30% extra space gets used through the process of copying the original and then transcoding it. But once transcoding has happened there is no need for a duplicate of the original H264 to reside with the FC Event folder. I don't need this file, as the original is still sitting in the place it originally got copied from.

I could look after this situation manually but this adds an extra level of complexity to the workflow and is tricky to convey to those who aren't codec experts.

I'd be very afraid of some "automatically delete" function. I'd never want anything automatically deleted.

Actually, if you select Optimize, and it's an all I-Frame format, it will not convert to ProRes, as it's already optimized. For example, if I have DVCPRO-HD QT files, select Optimize, it won't transcode anything.

Even though what you want may be of help, I'd never actually want to see that. Trust me, you'd have hundreds of uses asking, "What happened to my originals! I was going to back them up!" Then the day comes you are rushed and forget to uncheck something, and poof, you're screwed. No, never want an automatic delete anything ever. But that's just me.

Interesting idea, though.

I agree, with you. I enjoy knowing that I have control over where my original files go and what happens to them.

Remember always back up your original media not just the imported files, Final Cut Pro X, allows you to make a camera archive of your original media. Weather it be a P2 Card, SD or CF card. Back it up! Always. Its way cheaper to buy another hard drive than 3 years from now needing to back to it and now you only have some files that you cant or do not want to work with.

One thing you may want to consider Pixel, is when you create a project for a client, add the cost of a new hard drive to the quote. For short projects I split the cost usually 2 clients per drive, for bigger projects usually one or multiple drives, and I always backup the original media on my Drobo before I start working.

You're missing the point so maybe I didn't explain it clearly enough in the first place.

I'm not suggesting FCP X delete your original media, I'm saying that when you import a clip it should intelligently decide whether to either make a straight copy, or a transcoded copy depending on the original file format. At the moment if you pull in some DSLR footage it'll make a copy, and then ANOTHER copy as a transcode.

I know you can change the preferences to avoid this but in some situations you'll then end up with media in a session NOT residing in you FC events folder. I don't want to have to change the preferences every time I pull in a different kind of file just so that all the media end up the right format and the right place. It should be automatic. And not take up excessive disk space.

pixelkisser wrote: At the moment if you pull in some DSLR footage it'll make a copy, and then ANOTHER copy as a transcode.

Only if you tell FCP X to do that, it's not an automatic action in any scenario. And I'm going to assume you're not using the Import functions, but drag-and-drop from a Finder window, right?

As you know, the settings you make in the Preferences only effect what happens when you drag-and-drop from a Finder window to an Event or a Timeline. Personally I wish drag-and-drop forced the dialog window so you could chose at that time.

When you use either Import File or Import From Camera, the Preferences have no bearing, as you are presented with a dialog window to choose your preferred operations. And there are no defaults for this window, it simply shows the settings you last used. So if you use the same settings all the time, you just hit Import and don't bother.

But yes, if you drag-and-drop from a Finder window, you do have to set this up in the Preferences before hand. Is this a PITA? Depends on who you ask. But again, personally, I would prefer the Import settings window was forced up when you used drag-and-drop for ingesting assets.

If it were an automatic function, I'm not sure what the criteria would be for the decisions to be made. Every production, every edit stations, every editor is very different, and in this specific case, I don't see anything to be universal enough to be automatic.

But the idea is an interesting one. If all productions were the same, I think it would work out well. Or if there was a preferences panel that let you set Import preferences for each individual file type. But then, you'd have a hell of a settings matrix on your hand.

But in reality, not all productions are the same, not all editors want the same thing to happen on every production. So, we're back to who's criteria would you use for FCP X to make this decision based on? Just asking.