How to Move Files Out of a Final Cut Pro Library

Unlike any other NLE, there are two ways that media can be stored and referenced by Apple Final Cut Pro. Both of these options are selected during media import:

• Inside the library
• Outside the library

• Media is stored inside the library when you select Copy to library in the Media Import window. This copies the selected media and stores it inside the library bundle (file) on your hard disk.
• Media is stored outside the library when you select Leave files in place in the Media Import window. This stores a link inside the library that points to where media is stored elsewhere in your storage, without making a copy of it.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

• The advantages to storing all media inside the library is that everything you need for your project is stored in one place. When you move the library, you are also moving its media. Storing everything in one place simplifies making backups of your project.
• The disadvantages to storing all media inside the library is that the library file can become very big, other projects or editors that need that media can’t access it because that media is hidden in the library, media stored in a library does not show up in a Spotlight search, and if you also retain the original media files that you imported, you have doubled the amount of storage required for that project.
• The advantages to storing all media outside the library is that the library file is smaller (but not small because all optimized, proxy and render files are still stored in the library, your media can be shared by other projects or editors, and storage space is not wasted by duplicating media files.
• The disadvantages to storing all media outside the library is that if you move or rename any media file, or any folder that contains that file, all links to that file break inside Final Cut. As well, if you backup your project, your media files are not backed up. You then need to back media up separately.

There’s no perfect answer. I find storing media file outside the library makes sense for most of my projects because I reuse almost all my media; but for new editors or smaller projects, storing media inside the library makes life a lot easier and less stressful.

Final Cut can easily handle some files stored in the library, with other files stored externally. There is no performance difference between storing media inside the library, outside, or mixing where media is stored.

OPTIONS TO MOVE MEDIA

• If you want to consolidate media stored in different locations into your current library, this tutorial explains how. The good news is that if you follow this procedure, no links break.
• If, on the other hand, you want to move all files out of the library into external storage, this tutorial explains how. Again, no links break.

AN EMERGENCY OPTION

However, there’s a third option which I have used in emergencies to access media stored in a library file.

BIG CAUTION. Please read these instructions carefully. If you miss a step, you can totally destroy a library. We generally want to avoid that.

SECONG BIG CAUTION: While you can move files out, you cannot move files into a library this way. They won’t link. They will simply disappear.

A Final Cut Library is actually a “super-folder,” called a “bundle.” This is a folder that acts like a single file. Normally, when you click it, Final Cut starts.

However, if you right-click it and select Show Package Contents, that bundle opens to show all the files inside.

A Final Cut library is actually a database that tracks everything in this folder and everything you are doing with it.

CAUTION #3: Don’t change these files. At all. Not once. Because any changes you make to any file in this bundle is likely to permanently break your Final Cut Project.

That being said, if you twirl down [ bundle ] > Media > Original Media you’ll see all the original imported media clips used by your project.

If you want to store these somewhere else, press the Option key and drag the original media files you want to move into their new storage location.

CAUTION #4: Pressing Option duplicates these files as you drag them. By leaving a source copy of these files in the Original Media folder, you retain all links and database entries in your library. If you don’t press Option, the media files are moved, all project links break, and the library becomes non-functional. Don’t do that unless you no longer need that project.

CAUTION #5: Don’t rename, move or delete anything in this folder. Copying is OK.

There is no need to copy any other files out of the Library, including optimized or proxy files; because they are easy to regenerate in any new project.

SUMMARY

I’ve used this technique to access media that I need for other applications that I accidentally imported into the Library or when I have a project that I no longer need but do need the media stored inside it.

Most of the time, though, I leave the Final Cut bundle folder strictly alone.