The Import Process for Final Cut Pro X 10.1
After creating and setting the library properties, you are ready to import media. The import process utilizes the same unified window whether you are importing source media files from a supported camera or from an attached volume.
Import from a Camera
When importing from a supported camera, card reader, or folder of a device’s files, choose File > Import. Doing so provides the benefits of simultaneously viewing all video and image files of the camera or device, joining spanned clips, and allowing you to select only portions of a clip for import.
Create an Archive of Camera Media
One of the first steps when importing from a supported camera is to make a camera archive to quickly offload the card contents and create a copy of those contents for archival purposes. This archiving feature allows for automated source media file recovery by choosing File > Reimport from Camera/Archive.
- Connect the supported camera or device (set to the appropriate playback mode), or insert the memory card into your computer.
Choose File > Import. The supported device appears in the Media Import window’s Cameras section.
Select the device and click Create Archive.
Name the camera archive, and select a destination. Click Create.
Because archiving is a backup feature, you will still need to import your media for editing.
Import Camera Source Media Files
Importing from a supported camera/device is a quick process using the Media Import window.
- Connect the supported camera (set to the appropriate playback mode), or insert the memory card (SDHC, for example) into your computer.
- Choose File > Import, or click the Import icon on the left side of the toolbar.
In the Cameras section, select the device.
- To preview a clip, move the skimmer across it. Alternatively, you may use the transport controls.
- If you wish to import all the clips, click Import All; otherwise, Command-click to select multiple clips, and click Import Selected.
Alternatively, you can import only a portion of a clip by dragging across the desired media within the clip to set a range.
- Set the Media Import options as desired. See the “Media Import Options” section in this chapter for more information. Click Import.
Observe the Background Tasks button in the Dashboard to monitor the import progress.
Optionally, click the Background Tasks button for more details on all active import, transcode, and analysis processes.