Finding a clips original bin at DVinfo.net

David McCann · February 12th, 2009, 11:24 AM

I was wondering if there is a way to tell where a clip in the timeline came from. Sometimes a project will have clips from other projects and bins. I would like to find out what bin a specific clip is in from the timeline. Thanks alot!

Noah Kadner · February 12th, 2009, 12:26 PM

Have you tried match frame?

-Noah

Robert Lane · February 12th, 2009, 12:55 PM

Unfortunately this is one of the many areas of media management that falls painfully short in FCP. You can use the "Reveal in Finder" command to find out where the original file is sourced from but there's no tool or built-in search feature in FCP that tells you exactly where that file has been used or in how many projects/bins. That is left up to your own management strategies.

Robert Lane · February 12th, 2009, 12:57 PM

Match frame will source the original file and bring it forward but it won't tell you in how many places in your project it lives.

Unlike Avid this is unfortunately one of the many areas of media management that falls painfully short in FCP. You can use the "Reveal in Finder" command to find out where the original file is sourced from but there's no tool or built-in search feature in FCP that tells you exactly where that file has been used or in how many projects/bins. That is left up to your own management strategies.

Jiri Fiala · February 13th, 2009, 12:57 AM

That`s bad, even Premiere has this for years. We all should feedback Apple on this.

Mitchell Lewis · February 15th, 2009, 01:34 PM

I agree. This is a big failing by Apple and FCP. Maybe we'll see some big changes at NAB?

On a related subject, I enjoy marking clips as I use them, so that when I look in my browser, I can instantly see which clips I've used and which I haven't. (command+option+6 is my friend)

I also like creating Sub Clips by using (command + U) to take one long clip and reduce it into many smaller, organized clips that can each have a different name.

(can you tell I just got finished with a BIG Final Cut Pro project)

Bill Davis · February 16th, 2009, 01:50 AM

It's not a cross timeline solution, but it's elemental to find all the instances of a clip in a single timeline. Just go to the browser and apply a color label to the source clip and all the timeline instances will tint to match.

As to the cross program issue, I'd NEVER use a clip in any timeline without importing a copy of it into the browser - that's just asking for trouble when you migrate or backup projects.- and besides, extra copies are just additional pointers to the capture scratch source so there's no space overhead.

If you religiously import all clips to browser bins, then a right click "reveal in finder" should be all you need to track down a clip source location no matter what project it was originally used in.

Or is there something more complex escaping my late night brain?

David McCann · February 17th, 2009, 04:34 PM

I got a good solution on the apple boards. If a clip in the timeline is selected you can go to View<Reveal Master Clip. Now this works most of the time.... I found it does not work on clips that have been copied and pasted into a new timeline. For the most part I try to bring all clips I plan on using into the correct browser for the project. Unfortunately alot of the stuff I have been doing is repetitive and copy and paste is my best friend!! I am editing spots and broll footage for weekly live events, so backing up projects is not that important. Once the spot airs the event happens, then on to the next.... Thanks everyone!!!

February 12th, 2009, 11:24 AM	#1
David McCann Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 28	Finding a clips original bin I was wondering if there is a way to tell where a clip in the timeline came from. Sometimes a project will have clips from other projects and bins. I would like to find out what bin a specific clip is in from the timeline. Thanks alot!

February 12th, 2009, 12:57 PM	#4
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,823 Images: 15	Match frame will source the original file and bring it forward but it won't tell you in how many places in your project it lives. Unlike Avid this is unfortunately one of the many areas of media management that falls painfully short in FCP. You can use the "Reveal in Finder" command to find out where the original file is sourced from but there's no tool or built-in search feature in FCP that tells you exactly where that file has been used or in how many projects/bins. That is left up to your own management strategies. Last edited by Robert Lane; February 12th, 2009 at 04:17 PM.

February 15th, 2009, 01:34 PM	#6
Mitchell Lewis Trustee Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 1,124	I agree. This is a big failing by Apple and FCP. Maybe we'll see some big changes at NAB? On a related subject, I enjoy marking clips as I use them, so that when I look in my browser, I can instantly see which clips I've used and which I haven't. (command+option+6 is my friend) I also like creating Sub Clips by using (command + U) to take one long clip and reduce it into many smaller, organized clips that can each have a different name. (can you tell I just got finished with a BIG Final Cut Pro project) __________________ Sony EX3, Canon 5D MkII, Chrosziel Matte Box, Sachtler tripod, Steadicam Flyer, Mac Pro, Apple/Adobe software - 20 years as a local videographer/editor

February 12th, 2009, 12:26 PM	#2
Noah Kadner Better than Halle Berry Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 435	Have you tried match frame? -Noah

February 12th, 2009, 12:55 PM	#3
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,823 Images: 15	Unfortunately this is one of the many areas of media management that falls painfully short in FCP. You can use the "Reveal in Finder" command to find out where the original file is sourced from but there's no tool or built-in search feature in FCP that tells you exactly where that file has been used or in how many projects/bins. That is left up to your own management strategies.

February 13th, 2009, 12:57 AM	#5
Jiri Fiala Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brno Czech Republic Posts: 453	That`s bad, even Premiere has this for years. We all should feedback Apple on this.

February 16th, 2009, 01:50 AM	#7
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	It's not a cross timeline solution, but it's elemental to find all the instances of a clip in a single timeline. Just go to the browser and apply a color label to the source clip and all the timeline instances will tint to match. As to the cross program issue, I'd NEVER use a clip in any timeline without importing a copy of it into the browser - that's just asking for trouble when you migrate or backup projects.- and besides, extra copies are just additional pointers to the capture scratch source so there's no space overhead. If you religiously import all clips to browser bins, then a right click "reveal in finder" should be all you need to track down a clip source location no matter what project it was originally used in. Or is there something more complex escaping my late night brain?

February 17th, 2009, 04:34 PM	#8
David McCann Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 28	I got a good solution on the apple boards. If a clip in the timeline is selected you can go to View<Reveal Master Clip. Now this works most of the time.... I found it does not work on clips that have been copied and pasted into a new timeline. For the most part I try to bring all clips I plan on using into the correct browser for the project. Unfortunately alot of the stuff I have been doing is repetitive and copy and paste is my best friend!! I am editing spots and broll footage for weekly live events, so backing up projects is not that important. Once the spot airs the event happens, then on to the next.... Thanks everyone!!!