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795Final Cut Pro User Guide
Transfer a Final Cut Pro library to another Mac
You can copy a Final Cut Pro library to an external storage device to save space or to edit
your project on another Mac.
Note:
You can’t store your Final Cut Pro library on a storage device that’s used for Time
Machine backups.
1. Connect an external storage device to your Mac.
2. In the Libraries sidebar in Final Cut Pro, select the library you want to copy.
3. To open the Library Properties inspector, do one of the following:
• Choose Window > Show in Workspace > Inspector (or press Command-4).
• Click the Inspector button in the toolbar.
4. In the Media section, make sure the media storage location is set to In Library, then
click Consolidate.
See
Set storage locations in Final Cut Pro.
5. If your project contains effects, transitions, titles, and generators that were created
or customized in Motion, make sure the Motion Content storage location is set to In
Library, then click Consolidate.
Note: As an alternative, you could manually back up and copy the Motion Templates
folder located in your Movies folder. Regardless, you must manually track and move any
third-party (FxPlug) content, because it’s not managed within the Final Cut Pro library.
6. Quit Final Cut Pro.
Important: Always make sure that Final Cut Pro is not open when you copy or move
libraries in the Finder.
7. In the Finder, drag the library file to the icon for the connected external storage device.
If you can’t find the library file in the Finder, open Final Cut Pro, select the library in the
Libraries sidebar, then choose File > Reveal in Finder (or press Shift-Command-R).
The library is copied to the external storage device.
8. When copying is complete, eject the external storage device and disconnect it from
your Mac.
9. Connect the external storage device to the new (destination) Mac.
10. Drag the library file to the folder on the new Mac where you want to store the file.
11. To open the library, double-click its icon.