project won't copy to existing library, instead duplicates entire library

I'm trying to debug why I can't move a project from one library to an existing library and have that project open up in that existing library. Every time I try (using "move project to library," drag and drop) fcpx creates a whole new library with that project in it that I can see through my finder (see screenshot).  I've looked everywhere including on this forum and haven't seen anyone with the same issue. Has anyone seen this or know the reason for this? I'm truly at a loss based on everything I have seen/read. The reason I'm at this point is I am trying to open up a backup of the project and by doing so, this project opens up in a new library and since then every time I do anything, I get the beach ball in between. I have deleted all rendered and optimized media/files. So I am trying to move the project into my main library to streamline the editing process. Every tutorial I have seen shows that the project automatically shows up in the library I am trying to move it to.

If there is a way to open the backup of the project inside my main library then I'd be happy with that. Or if I can get rid of the beach balling, that would be great too!

Some things to consider:
1. I have my media stored in the FCP library
2.  A problem with having new libraries created is it seems like my project in one library then uses files in the newly created library and I can't delete the new library because "it is in use"!
2. The sharing permissions on my external hard drive where this library is says "you have custom access" but no read/write info below it or options to change it.
3. I have cleared as much of the external and internal hard drive to make sure there is ample room to do the copying.

You've copying into a database backup of the existing library. I don't think that will work.

oh my gosh, this sounds like the right track maybe?? how do i not copy into a database backup of the existing library? is there any option to do that? thank you!!!

Make a new library and copy the project into that.

I did this but nothing got copied over, the new library is empty. How do I open this not from a backup database? All the videos I have watched seem to think they are just like regular libraries? thank you!

I tried this but unfortunately, the new library is empty. Is there a way to open the library not from a backup database? All the videos I have watched seem to treat these backup libraries like regular fcpx libraries you can open as normal. Thank you so much!

I don’t understand how the library can be empty if you copied the project into it. Their project should be there with the clips on it.

Please post screenshots of what you’re seeing.

Thank you! So, I am tried moving my project "Ravage_final" to the new library "Ravage Final" which I created when you suggested I do so. From the screenshots, you can see that the project is in the "Second Cut 2023.." library but not the "Ravage Final" library. This is all happening on my external hard drive. And, the main reason I want to do this is because the program beach balls in between every click of the mouse and this is obviously unworkable to make edits, let alone, if I need to switch between this "Ravage_final" project and another project in my original library (Second Cut.fcpbundle) to do some edits.

Because I had to get the "Ravage_final" backup project from the internal mac movies folder, put it on the external drive (where all my media and main library is) and have the media relinked, I see that the "Second Cut 2023.." library has duplicated all the media in its own FCP library. I don't want that to happen either.

Screenshots here:

snipboard.io/g8zr02.jpg
snipboard.io/GObC0z.jpg
snipboard.io/JaoDP6.jpg

Your image does not show Ravage_final in the Second Cut library. To copy a project from one library to another you drag the project from the event thee project is in to the event in the other library. Is that what you’re doing?

yes, i have done that several times. if I do the drag and drop, it creates a duplicate of that library (renaming it with a +1 at the end) on my hard drive but as you can see in the screenshot, the project is not found in that library in fcpx.

oh sorry, i am talking about ravageproduction_final. that is in the second cut library and what I am trying to move over.

tycheng, a few questions:

- For your external drive, could you do a "Get Info" and check your permissions? You mentioned in your first post that you saw "you have custom access". If your current user account is listed and has "Read & Write" permission, you might try unlocking the permissions (click on the lock icon, and enter your password) and then choose "apply to enclosed items" if that's available.

- Does Final Cut Pro have "Full Disk Access" (in the Security and Privacy system preferences/settings)?

- Are you moving/copying the Project and creating the new Library within Final Cut Pro, or are you trying to move/copy things in the Finder?

Oh, please check your external drive and make sure it is formatted as APFS (SSD) or HFS+ (HDD). If it is formatted differently (with ExFAT, FAT32, etc.), you will have problems with FCP.

thank you so much, DaveM.

Yeah, I tried to figure out how to change "you have custom access" but the drive and the library which both show this give me no option to do so. since this was hard to solve and i wasn't sure if this was the problem, I came here to find out.

FCPX does have full disk access, I turned it on last week.

I am moving/copying within FCP, not in the finder. The most annoying thing is that FCPX creates a whole new duplicate library with some of the media but leaves out the project!

Oh no, it is EXFAT! I have been using this SSD external drive for a number of years now and have not had issues until this. Should I move everything to a new drive (I know formatting would erase everything).

here's the screenshot. it's terribly troublesome i can't fix it!!!

snipboard.io/Ub1YqT.jpg

Yes, move the data to another drive and reformat "Extreme SSD" using APFS. Afterwards, you can move things back to that drive.

Then, carefully try to follow Tom's instructions...

do you think that is what is causing the problem where the project won't move? do you think I can achieve that by simply using the library backup which is on my internal hard drive on my mac without it opening on the external drive? it seems like I can't.

do you store your media in the fcpx library or do you store it in a separate location? do you think that is the issue?

tycheng@gmail.com wrote:

do you think that is what is causing the problem where the project won't move? do you think I can achieve that by simply using the library backup which is on my internal hard drive on my mac without it opening on the external drive? it seems like I can't.

Tom would likely know more than I do about how the ExFAT formatted drive could be causing issues with FCP. In older versions of FCP, Events and Projects didn't "work well" with ExFAT formatted drives.

FYI, the Library backup that, by default, is stored in your Movies folder contains no media. It's just a backup of the databases and some metadata.

If your internal drive is more than 80% full it can cause issues with FCP, as well as with the overall performance of the system.

I can't answer the question about "opening on the external drive" as I've not personally had to deal with this kind of issue.

tycheng@gmail.com wrote:

do you store your media in the fcpx library or do you store it in a separate location? do you think that is the issue?

I usually store media and other files outside of the Library. For very small projects, or testing, I may have everything stored within a Library file. Without actually looking at your system, it's too dificult for me to tell what's going on.

The external drive formatting fix is the first thing to try...

You might also find it very informative to read through the FCP user manual, especially sections about media management, Libraries, Events, and Projects. Ripple Training has some good short videos on YT about this stuff (and even more in their paid training). The idea is that the more you know and understand about FCP, the easier it is to help you (and for you to help yourself)...

OK, i will try this and report back, thank you both of you! I have my fingers crossed. I could not have gotten through this, thank you thank you.

I have read and watched many videos and I think I have a handle on that. I guess if all the media is in a fcpx library on the external drive then even a backup library on my internal hard drive would open up the external drive.

One quick note on your SSD... when reformatting/erasing, select the device itself (not the volume), and set your partition map to GUID and format to APFS.  You'll be able to see the hardware in Disk Utility when it's set to Show All Devices.

You will often find FAT-formatted drives use Master Boot Record as the partition map, and that's not what you want here.

After it's formatted and mounted, Get Info on the drive.  Click the lock at the bottom, enter your password, and check the box to "Ignore ownership on this volume".