FCP 6: Can it Import OMF Files? at DVinfo.net

Michael Lyas · July 28th, 2008, 07:18 AM

Hi,

I've recently gone from ProTools LE (No DVToolkit) to Logic Studio 8. I can export an OMF file from FCP 6.0.4 and import into Logic.

I tweak the Audio in Logic and can create an OMF file ready for importing it back into FCP, but FCP won't allow it. The file I want to import back into FCP is greyed out.

I've done a bit of a search and the only relevant post I could come up with is this one from Nov 2005.

http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?p=387697

In this post they are talking about FCP 4.5 and to Quote Mr Shane Ross from that post: "FCP EXPORTS OMF...it cannot import OMF."

I was just wondering if any one else knows if this is still the case in FCS 2 / FCP 6 or is it my poor technique.

Any ideas are welcome, Cheers

Michael lyas

MacPro 2.8GhZ
FCS 2
Logic studio 8
OSX.5.4

William Hohauser · July 28th, 2008, 02:41 PM

Still the case, unfortunately. Get AIFF exports from Logic. Works fine.

Michael Lyas · July 29th, 2008, 12:13 AM

Many thanks!

That's a pity! It's not like it's not do'able, Automatic Duck appears to be able to do it.

I think I might write to Apple and ask them to develop the ability to do it.

Cheers

Michael

Dave Christensen · July 31st, 2008, 08:50 PM

I sympathize with your problem, Michael. I had the same issue a couple years ago coming from Avid and ended up having to reimport, reedit my whole project. Weak sauce. I can't imagine why there's no support for this native to Final Cut. You'd think Apple would want to make it as easy as possible to get everything in their software.

Tim Dashwood · July 31st, 2008, 11:01 PM

The concept with omf audio export is for final mix in Pro Tools (or Logic, etc) with a final stereo or surround mix either restriped to the master tape or encoded for DVD/Blu-Ray.
I imagine it is a very low priority for Apple to support OMF import in FCP when MXF is so much more versatile and cross-platform.

OMF was developed by Avid in the early 90's for all kinds of purposes (I can remember using Avid's OMF Photoshop plug-in for rotoscoping video frames on a long vertical 'strip') but it really only took off in 3rd party apps for handling of an audio sequence.

Ironically it is actually much simpler to export a working OMF from FCP than Avid.

Noah Kadner · August 1st, 2008, 02:23 AM

Yup just don't not have a home in FCP as an import format. Suspect it never will. But you can always import into Soundtrack Pro and export out into a format FCP does work with.

Noah

Michael Lyas · August 1st, 2008, 08:49 PM

Hi Guys

There is tremendous irony here.

I became so frustrated with ProTools as a Company, (not the program), that they had you locked into their product range (ie. DV ToolKit), hence my moving to Logic and my whole rationale for moving (OMF Flexibility) is GAZZUMPED by FCP not being able to reimport the the file back!

I didn't see it coming! Well, you live and learn.

I did write to Apple, maybe, just maybe they will consider my request in the next upgrade.

Cheers

Michael

July 28th, 2008, 07:18 AM	#1
Michael Lyas Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Largs Bay, OZ Posts: 43	FCP 6: Can it Import OMF Files? Hi, I've recently gone from ProTools LE (No DVToolkit) to Logic Studio 8. I can export an OMF file from FCP 6.0.4 and import into Logic. I tweak the Audio in Logic and can create an OMF file ready for importing it back into FCP, but FCP won't allow it. The file I want to import back into FCP is greyed out. I've done a bit of a search and the only relevant post I could come up with is this one from Nov 2005. http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?p=387697 In this post they are talking about FCP 4.5 and to Quote Mr Shane Ross from that post: "FCP EXPORTS OMF...it cannot import OMF." I was just wondering if any one else knows if this is still the case in FCS 2 / FCP 6 or is it my poor technique. Any ideas are welcome, Cheers Michael lyas MacPro 2.8GhZ FCS 2 Logic studio 8 OSX.5.4 Last edited by Michael Lyas; July 28th, 2008 at 07:19 AM. Reason: Info Addition

July 28th, 2008, 02:41 PM	#2
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	Still the case, unfortunately. Get AIFF exports from Logic. Works fine. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

July 31st, 2008, 08:50 PM	#4
Dave Christensen Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tempe, AZ, USA Posts: 32	I sympathize with your problem, Michael. I had the same issue a couple years ago coming from Avid and ended up having to reimport, reedit my whole project. Weak sauce. I can't imagine why there's no support for this native to Final Cut. You'd think Apple would want to make it as easy as possible to get everything in their software. __________________ Final Cut FTW

July 31st, 2008, 11:01 PM	#5
Tim Dashwood Wrangler Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 3,637	The concept with omf audio export is for final mix in Pro Tools (or Logic, etc) with a final stereo or surround mix either restriped to the master tape or encoded for DVD/Blu-Ray. I imagine it is a very low priority for Apple to support OMF import in FCP when MXF is so much more versatile and cross-platform. OMF was developed by Avid in the early 90's for all kinds of purposes (I can remember using Avid's OMF Photoshop plug-in for rotoscoping video frames on a long vertical 'strip') but it really only took off in 3rd party apps for handling of an audio sequence. Ironically it is actually much simpler to export a working OMF from FCP than Avid. __________________ Tim Dashwood

July 29th, 2008, 12:13 AM	#3
Michael Lyas Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Largs Bay, OZ Posts: 43	Many thanks! That's a pity! It's not like it's not do'able, Automatic Duck appears to be able to do it. I think I might write to Apple and ask them to develop the ability to do it. Cheers Michael

August 1st, 2008, 02:23 AM	#6
Noah Kadner Better than Halle Berry Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 435	Yup just don't not have a home in FCP as an import format. Suspect it never will. But you can always import into Soundtrack Pro and export out into a format FCP does work with. Noah

August 1st, 2008, 08:49 PM	#7
Michael Lyas Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Largs Bay, OZ Posts: 43	Hi Guys There is tremendous irony here. I became so frustrated with ProTools as a Company, (not the program), that they had you locked into their product range (ie. DV ToolKit), hence my moving to Logic and my whole rationale for moving (OMF Flexibility) is GAZZUMPED by FCP not being able to reimport the the file back! I didn't see it coming! Well, you live and learn. I did write to Apple, maybe, just maybe they will consider my request in the next upgrade. Cheers Michael