Question about opening a back up project at DVinfo.net

Gary Chavez · December 23rd, 2014, 03:57 PM

I have several back up projects that have no library associated with them. Is there any way to ever see these projects again?

Bill Davis · December 23rd, 2014, 06:49 PM

Gary, can you describe it a bit more?

Were these older files from prior to FXP X 10.1?

Or did you save out Projects from within a Library, but then delete the parent Library?

Did you try making a new blank Library and copying the Project into it?

Did you try clicking on the Project and seeing if you can Open Package Contents to see what files are in it?

Can't really understand how to help until I know more about what's happening.

Gary Chavez · December 23rd, 2014, 07:47 PM

I haven't understood this archive system from the jump.
It's embarrassing.
I was looking for an old project. Found it in the movies folder. 150 back up projects and not a library anywhere.
I have no idea how to make a blank library.
When I click on the project I get the ole Text Editor.
I won't be at the work computer till Friday so I can't try anything till then.

My archive system is simply saving the 'bundle'(?) to 5 different drives, hoping to never find myself in the situation I'm in now.

William Hohauser · December 24th, 2014, 05:40 AM

The backups are only the project and related metadata for an Event bundle which contains the entire media package, if we are talking older versions of FCPX. If the Event bundle is gone along with the associated media files then I would say the project is likely lost. If you can open the backup project and the lost media files are listed, you can try to relink which will give the info where the original files were stored. If you still have the original media files, you can rebuild the project regardless of where the files are stored now.
For newer versions of FCPX which have the Library bundle, the same applies. If you still have the camera files the project should be recueable.

Bill Davis · December 28th, 2014, 05:21 PM

Gary,

X was fundamentally changed in the transition to FCP X 10.0x to FCP X 10.1x. The most radical change was the introduction of Libraries. It's now a required overall bucket inside of which all your editing assets reside.

You can't have an Event or a Project now, unless they reside inside a Library.

The Library is represented by the purple icon composed of 4 smaller purple star icons which represent Events.

If you were working with FCP X prior to the introduction of Libraries, and you updated, then there weren't any Libraries for X to divide your Events and Projects into, so X simply put all your prior work into one big default event. That's probably what you're seeing.

Some folks like keeping clients or types of jobs separated into separate Libraries. Others like working with one large one - and separating projects into Events - thats for the user to figure out.

The major deal with Libraries is that since EVERYTHING lives inside them - then when you duplicate or move them - everything inside them goes along for the ride. It makes collaborative editing much easier.

So basically, figure out how you want to store things, then as with traditional folders, TARGET where you want your work to live, before you move or create things. Simple as that.

Gary Chavez · December 30th, 2014, 11:41 AM

OK guys, first, thx for your explanations.

Not sure how I got here but in reading the explanations I somehow extrapolated that if I opened the 'package contents' of my 2013 LIBRARY (which I created before knowing what that did, never again) and dragged all of my 'backup projects' into the 'updated projects' folder and launched the 2013 Library.

All my back up projects showed up and since I do keep all my raw video I was able to relink the video on a random project. So thanks for all the help.

Happy New Year!

December 23rd, 2014, 03:57 PM	#1
Gary Chavez Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Antonio Posts: 355	Question about opening a back up project I have several back up projects that have no library associated with them. Is there any way to ever see these projects again?

December 23rd, 2014, 06:49 PM	#2
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	Re: Question about opening a back up project Gary, can you describe it a bit more? Were these older files from prior to FXP X 10.1? Or did you save out Projects from within a Library, but then delete the parent Library? Did you try making a new blank Library and copying the Project into it? Did you try clicking on the Project and seeing if you can Open Package Contents to see what files are in it? Can't really understand how to help until I know more about what's happening. __________________ Classroom editing instructor? Check out www.starteditingnow.com Turnkey editor training content including licensed training footage for classroom use.

December 23rd, 2014, 07:47 PM	#3
Gary Chavez Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Antonio Posts: 355	Re: Question about opening a back up project I haven't understood this archive system from the jump. It's embarrassing. I was looking for an old project. Found it in the movies folder. 150 back up projects and not a library anywhere. I have no idea how to make a blank library. When I click on the project I get the ole Text Editor. I won't be at the work computer till Friday so I can't try anything till then. My archive system is simply saving the 'bundle'(?) to 5 different drives, hoping to never find myself in the situation I'm in now.

December 24th, 2014, 05:40 AM	#4
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	Re: Question about opening a back up project The backups are only the project and related metadata for an Event bundle which contains the entire media package, if we are talking older versions of FCPX. If the Event bundle is gone along with the associated media files then I would say the project is likely lost. If you can open the backup project and the lost media files are listed, you can try to relink which will give the info where the original files were stored. If you still have the original media files, you can rebuild the project regardless of where the files are stored now. For newer versions of FCPX which have the Library bundle, the same applies. If you still have the camera files the project should be recueable. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

December 28th, 2014, 05:21 PM	#5
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	Re: Question about opening a back up project Gary, X was fundamentally changed in the transition to FCP X 10.0x to FCP X 10.1x. The most radical change was the introduction of Libraries. It's now a required overall bucket inside of which all your editing assets reside. You can't have an Event or a Project now, unless they reside inside a Library. The Library is represented by the purple icon composed of 4 smaller purple star icons which represent Events. If you were working with FCP X prior to the introduction of Libraries, and you updated, then there weren't any Libraries for X to divide your Events and Projects into, so X simply put all your prior work into one big default event. That's probably what you're seeing. Some folks like keeping clients or types of jobs separated into separate Libraries. Others like working with one large one - and separating projects into Events - thats for the user to figure out. The major deal with Libraries is that since EVERYTHING lives inside them - then when you duplicate or move them - everything inside them goes along for the ride. It makes collaborative editing much easier. So basically, figure out how you want to store things, then as with traditional folders, TARGET where you want your work to live, before you move or create things. Simple as that. __________________ Classroom editing instructor? Check out www.starteditingnow.com Turnkey editor training content including licensed training footage for classroom use.

December 30th, 2014, 11:41 AM	#6
Gary Chavez Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Antonio Posts: 355	Re: Question about opening a back up project OK guys, first, thx for your explanations. Not sure how I got here but in reading the explanations I somehow extrapolated that if I opened the 'package contents' of my 2013 LIBRARY (which I created before knowing what that did, never again) and dragged all of my 'backup projects' into the 'updated projects' folder and launched the 2013 Library. All my back up projects showed up and since I do keep all my raw video I was able to relink the video on a random project. So thanks for all the help. Happy New Year!