Final Cut Pro X – Update Media Files
Problem: I used the Copy to library option when importing media. I later realized that this method copies/duplicates the media files, instantly doubling the amount of disk space used on the hard drive. This is not what I wanted. I wish I had used the Leave files in place media import method instead.
Solution
Use the FCP Relink method to browse the hard drive and link to the original media file.
How-to
In the browser window, click on the media to be relinked. Then in the FCP menu go to:
File > Relink Files > Original Media:
- Relink: Missing or All
- Select missing file in Original Files
- Browse via Locate Selected… button
- Locate file
- Click Relink Files button
Notes
As a default action, the Copy to library option during Media Import automatically copies/duplicates media files to the Mac’s Movies folder. For instance, my Copy to library path is: Macintosh HD/Users/[User Name]/Movies/[Library Name].fcpbundle. To view the contents inside the Library fcpbundle, right-click the Library icon (it’s the blue/violet/purple icon with 4 stars inside it) to access the Show Package Contents. Inside the Library folder are the Library’s Event(s), Project(s), Original Media, Render Files, and Shared Items.
This is great for keeping all items in one location but it also copies all of the media items – which takes up a lot of disk space very quickly. Relinking the media will replace the copied files in the Library’s Original Media folder with aliases by creating symbolic links (also called symlinks), which are special files that point to the [original] media files without copying them.
