Final Cut Server User Manual
K Apple Inc. Copyright © 2008 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Your rights to the software are governed by the accompanying software license agreement. The owner or authorized user of a valid copy of Final Cut Server software may reproduce this publication for the purpose of learning to use such software. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, such as selling copies of this publication or for providing paid for support services.
1 Contents Preface 7 7 9 11 Welcome to Final Cut Server About Final Cut Server Resources for Learning About Final Cut Server Contacting AppleCare Support Chapter 1 13 14 15 15 17 20 21 22 22 23 24 25 25 26 27 28 28 About Final Cut Server The Final Cut Server Client Workflow Installing the Final Cut Server Client The Final Cut Server Main Window Views for Assets and Productions Panes Search Options and Saved Searches Asset Info Window Final Cut Pro Project Info Window Final Cut Studio Project Info Win
Chapter 3 49 49 54 58 60 68 69 71 72 Chapter 4 77 78 79 83 85 87 92 96 97 97 100 Working in Final Cut Server Final Cut Server Client Actions About the Asset Info Window Viewing an Asset Adding Versions for a Media or Project Asset Locking and Unlocking an Asset Writing Annotations on a Video Asset Duplicating an Asset Using the Edit-in-Place Feature Monitoring Jobs Setting Final Cut Server Client Preferences Chapter 5 103 103 105 107 111 Working with Media Assets About Caching Checking Out, Editing,
Chapter 7 129 129 130 132 137 Working with Final Cut Studio Projects About Editing Final Cut Studio Project Assets Checking Out, Editing, and Checking In Bundle Assets Checking Out, Editing, and Checking In Final Cut Studio Projects and Their Media Files Exporting a Project Asset and Its Media Chapter 8 141 141 146 147 Using Status Metadata in the Final Cut Server Workflow Using Status Metadata to Track Assets and Productions About the Review and Approve Feature Using the Review and Approve Feature Ch
Preface Welcome to Final Cut Server This chapter covers the following: Â About Final Cut Server (p. 7) Â Resources for Learning About Final Cut Server (p. 9) Â Contacting AppleCare Support (p. 11) Final Cut Server is powerful media asset management and workflow automation software. Final Cut Server can manage your assets and refine the processes in your organization’s workflow, freeing you from the repetitive tasks of managing media and projects.
The Final Cut Server client provides many features to help you manage your media. These features all use Final Cut Server assets. When you upload a media or project file to Final Cut Server, an asset is created for it. This asset contains metadata, the original file (called the primary representation file), and proxy copies of the primary representation file that are used within Final Cut Server. Final Cut Server can help you do the following tasks: Â Find the assets you need.
Resources for Learning About Final Cut Server There are a variety of resources for you to use when learning about your Final Cut Server system. Final Cut Server Printed Documentation This guide is one of two printed documents that are included with Final Cut Server. Â Final Cut Server User Manual: This user manual describes how to use the Final Cut Server client for the day-to-day use of the system, such as browsing assets, managing jobs, and managing productions.
Apple Websites There are a variety of Apple websites that you can visit to find additional information. Final Cut Server Website Go here for general information and updates as well as the latest news on Final Cut Server. To access the Final Cut Server website, go to: Â http://www.apple.com/finalcutserver There are also a variety of discussion boards, forums, and educational resources related to Final Cut Server on the web.
Contacting AppleCare Support Information about the support options available from Apple is included in your Final Cut Server box. Several levels of support are available. Whatever your issue, it’s a good idea to have the following information immediately available when you contact Apple for support. The more of this information you have to give to the support agents, the faster they will be able to address your issue.
1 About Final Cut Server 1 This chapter covers the following: Â The Final Cut Server Client Workflow (p. 14) Â Installing the Final Cut Server Client (p. 15) Â The Final Cut Server Main Window (p. 15) Â Views for Assets and Productions Panes (p. 17) Â Search Options and Saved Searches (p. 20) Â Asset Info Window (p. 21) Â Final Cut Pro Project Info Window (p. 22) Â Final Cut Studio Project Info Window (p. 22) Â Production Info Window (p. 23) Â Annotations Window (p. 24) Â Downloads & Uploads Window (p.
The Final Cut Server Client Workflow Final Cut Server makes it easy for users to find, access, and track media and project files, as well as transcode media and easily check in and check out assets for editing. While different organizations perform each of these tasks slightly differently, the typical Final Cut Server workflow involves four steps.
Installing the Final Cut Server Client Your Final Cut Server administrator will provide you with a URL from which you can download a copy of the Final Cut Server client to your computer. Your administrator will also give you a user name and password for the Final Cut Server client. After downloading the Final Cut Server client, a login screen appears. You can log in to Final Cut Server using the user name and password provided by your Final Cut Server administrator.
The Assets pane and Productions pane are the two views of the Final Cut Server main window. An asset is used by Final Cut Server to track every file that is uploaded to the server or scanned. The Assets pane shows all the assets that Final Cut Server is managing. Productions are used to group assets. The Productions pane shows all the productions that have been created by you or other people who use your Final Cut Server system.
Productions Pane The Productions pane varies somewhat from the Assets pane. Its Toolbar has a New Production button. The Production Toolbar has a New Production button. Click Productions to see the Productions pane. Productions are shown here. To learn more about productions, see “Organizing Assets with Productions” on page 54. Views for Assets and Productions Panes The Assets and Productions panes can be displayed as lists or thumbnails.
Thumbnail View Thumbnail view displays a thumbnail image of the asset. The thumbnail image can be a frame from the video file that was uploaded, the graphics or image file that was uploaded, or an icon representing the type of asset or application the asset was created in. Thumbnail view is useful when you want to browse a number of assets or productions in a compact format without other information. Thumbnail view selected This Final Cut Pro project asset is represented with a Final Cut Pro icon.
Final Cut Server marks assets and productions with icons to identify them. In Thumbnail view, the icons appear on the asset or production tile, just above the thumbnail image or icon. In List view, the icons appear to the left of the Title column and in the State column.
Search Options and Saved Searches A search field is at the top of the Assets and Productions panes. You can use this search field to find a specific asset or production, or to limit the number of assets or productions shown. Close the disclosure triangle to show only the simple search settings. Clicking the search disclosure triangle reveals advanced searching options. The Assets and Productions panes have different advanced search options. Open the disclosure triangle to show the advanced search settings.
Asset Info Window The info window contains a large amount of information about the asset. When you double-click an asset that is listed in the Assets pane or in a production (or Control-click an asset and then choose Get Info from the asset’s shortcut menu), the asset’s info window appears. The left side of the asset info window displays the asset’s thumbnail image and general asset metadata. The right side of the asset is organized into multiple panes that list specific types of information.
Final Cut Pro Project Info Window You can view a Final Cut Pro project’s info window by double-clicking a Final Cut Pro project asset (or Control-click the asset, then choose Get Info from the shortcut menu). When Final Cut Pro projects are uploaded to Final Cut Server, an asset is created for the project file. In addition to the panes included in the asset info window, the Final Cut Pro project asset info window includes an Elements pane.
A Final Cut Studio project asset info window includes Metadata, Resources, Versions, Locks, and Review & Approve panes. You can view the information in each pane by clicking the pane’s button. For more information about Final Cut Studio project assets, see Chapter 7, “Working with Final Cut Studio Projects,” on page 129. Production Info Window In Final Cut Server, you can use productions to group related assets.
Annotations Window You can mark a single video asset with comments in the Annotations window. Because comments added in the Annotations window stay with the video asset in Final Cut Server, annotations are useful for internal reviews and communication with other Final Cut Server users. To view the Annotations window, open a video asset’s info window and click the Annotations button. Click the Annotations button in a video asset’s info pane to open the Annotations window. You can preview the clip here.
Downloads & Uploads Window This window helps you more closely monitor the status of files that you are uploading to or downloading from Final Cut Server. You can open the Downloads & Uploads window by clicking the Downloads and Uploads button in the Final Cut Server main window (or by choosing Downloads & Uploads from the Window pop-up menu). For more information about the Downloads & Uploads window, see “The Downloads & Uploads Window” on page 98.
Search Devices Window The Search Devices window is opened from the Server pop-up menu in the Final Cut Server main window. In it, you can search a device directly, viewing all the assets (files that have been uploaded to Final Cut Server) as well as other files that have not been uploaded to Final Cut Server and are stored on the device. Warning: Use the Search Devices window with caution. Devices can contain files that both have and have not been added to the Final Cut Server catalog.
Preferences Window Your Final Cut Server administrator is responsible for configuring most of the preferences that affect you while working with your Final Cut Server client. However, there are a few settings that you specify for your Final Cut Server client. These include search display preferences, the location and size of the Final Cut Server cache, and the location to which you can save alias copies of prepared media files.
Using Shortcut Menus in Final Cut Server You can take many actions in Final Cut Server by making choices from shortcut menus. You can view a shortcut menu’s items by Control-clicking an asset, a Final Cut Pro project, or another area of Final Cut Server. The asset shortcut menu Mac users using a multi-button mouse can also use right-click to access shortcut menus. Note: If you’re a Windows user, note that a right-click on a Windows system is the equivalent of a Control-click on a Mac.
2 Uploading Files to Final Cut Server 2 This chapter covers the following: Â About Creating Final Cut Server Assets (p. 29) Â Types of Files That Can Be Uploaded to Final Cut Server (p. 30) Â About Metadata and Metadata Sets (p. 30) Â Strategies for Uploading Media and Project Files (p. 31) Â Uploading Media Files (p. 32) Â Uploading Final Cut Pro Projects (p. 37) Â Uploading Final Cut Studio Projects (p.
Types of Files That Can Be Uploaded to Final Cut Server Final Cut Server can manage many types of files, including the following: Media Category Supported File Types Video Final Cut Pro projects (.fcp) and many of the video file formats available for output from Final Cut Pro and Compressor, including .mov and .mpeg You can also upload QuickTime reference movies. Audio Soundtrack Pro files (.stap and .stmp) and other audio files, including .aif, .ac3, uncompressed audio files, .mp3, .mp4, .m4a, and .
Final Cut Server comes with default metadata sets to describe your assets. If the default metadata sets do not meet the needs of your organization’s workflow, your Final Cut Server administrator can add metadata fields to existing sets or create entirely new metadata sets. Important: If your Final Cut Server administrator has modified the default metadata sets or created new ones, the metadata sets listed in your copy of Final Cut Server will look different than the list shown here.
In the Upload window that appears, you have many options. You can choose a metadata set for the new asset. You should also add several types of metadata to the file at upload. You can also choose to convert the file being uploaded to another codec (using the transcode settings for video and audio files from Compressor) during upload, and group the asset in a production. When you upload a file, the filename is entered, by default, in the Title field in the Upload window.
Here’s an example. When you upload an uncompressed HD video clip to Final Cut Server, a Final Cut Server asset is created. This asset holds the original file (the primary representation). The original file is also transcoded to create the Clip Proxy file, and JPEG images are created to be used as Thumbnail and Poster frame proxy files for the asset.
To upload one or more media files: 1 Do one of the following: Â Drag the media file or files that you want to upload from the Finder, the desktop, or a connected volume to the column on the left of the Final Cut Server main window, the Assets pane, or a production. Â Choose Upload File from the Server pop-up menu, select the media file or files in the file browser that appears, then click Upload.
2 Some of the information and metadata in the Upload or Upload Multiple window is automatically entered. You can change the metadata set from the Metadata set pop-up menu and add metadata for the new asset or assets. Choose a different metadata set from the pop-up menu. After choosing a metadata set, a variety of metadata groups appear. You can enter metadata in any editable field.
Note: Media and Library are the primary Final Cut Server devices. Talk with your Final Cut Server administrator about which other configured devices are appropriate for media file storage. 4 If you want to group the media asset or assets in a production, click Choose at the right of the Associate with Production field and specify a production. For more information about productions, see “Organizing Assets with Productions” on page 54.
Uploading Final Cut Pro Projects Final Cut Pro project assets have a different structure than media assets. When you upload a Final Cut Pro project to Final Cut Server, the Final Cut Pro project file is the primary representation for the asset. Final Cut Server discovers the video and other media files that are linked to the Final Cut Pro project and uploads each of the media files as a unique media asset.
After a Final Cut Pro project has been uploaded, you can get information about the project’s linked media files in the Elements pane of the Final Cut Pro project’s asset info window. The linked media is shown in the asset info window’s Elements pane. Alternately, you can look at the Resources pane of a media asset’s info window to see if a media asset is linked to a Final Cut Pro project. An instance of this media asset is used in the Final Cut Pro project titled “3133_Motorbikes.
To upload a Final Cut Pro project file: 1 Do one of the following: Â Drag the Final Cut Pro project file to the column on the left of the Final Cut Server main window, to the Assets pane, or to a production in the Productions pane. Â Choose Upload File from the Server pop-up menu (the pop-up menu in the Final Cut Server main window that appears when you click the Server button), select the Final Cut Pro project file in the file browser that appears, then click Upload.
4 If you want to group the Final Cut Pro project asset in a production, click Choose at the right of the Associate with Production field and specify a production. For more information about productions, including creating a new production, see “Organizing Assets with Productions” on page 54. 5 Click Upload. The upload begins. The upload progress is displayed above the Information pane in the bottom-left corner of the Final Cut Server main window.
If you select Create Bundle Asset, the project file and each of the media files are uploaded as a bundle asset. Uploading the folder as a bundle asset guarantees that when you check out or export the bundle asset, all of the media files that were checked in with the project will still be there. The bundle asset can be checked out, edited, and checked back in; it can also be exported.
The illustration below shows a Final Cut Studio project being uploaded as a bundle asset. The bundle asset appears in Final Cut Studio as a single generic asset, with no indication of its project file or its linked media files. Upload folder to Final Cut Server Folder Project Bundle Asset BikeBlur.motn Music_3225.aif Motorbikes.aif Road_3232.mov Rider_322.jpg Quill_5344.
To upload a Final Cut Studio project file and its media files as a bundle asset: 1 In the Final Cut Studio application, save the project and choose to collect the media. In Motion and Soundtrack Pro, you can do this by choosing File > Save As and choosing to collect the media in the Save As window. In DVD Studio Pro, you need to manually place the project and media files in a folder. Note: For specific information on using these applications, see the application’s User Manual.
4 A dialog appears, asking you if you want to upload the folder as a bundle asset or as individual assets. Click Create Bundle Asset. The Link Upload window appears. Note that the Associate with Production field shows the production that you dragged the folder to. The name of the production that you dragged the folder to appears here. Add metadata to define the type of project being uploaded.
8 After the bundle asset is created, select the Productions pane, click the production you created, and click the Search button to view the new asset in Final Cut Server. The bundle asset has a generic document icon. If you need to identify the bundle asset later, you can open the asset’s info window and view the metadata you added at upload. Use the metadata you added at upload to identify the bundle asset.
The illustration below shows a Final Cut Studio project and its media being uploaded as individual assets within a Final Cut Server production. Upload Final Cut Studio project to Final Cut Server Folder Project Final Cut Server production .mov BikeBlur.motn Music_3225.aif Motorbikes.aif .jpeg Road_3232.mov Rider_322.jpg Quill_5344.jpg .aif Clip Proxy Note: Each item in the production is an individual asset.
2 In Final Cut Server, create a new production for the project and its assets by following these steps: a Open the Productions pane by clicking Productions in the column at the left of the main Final Cut Server window. b Click the New Production button in the Toolbar. c Choose a metadata set for the new production from the Metadata Set pop-up menu. d Depending on the production type you chose, a number of production metadata fields appear.
7 If necessary, choose a new destination device from the Destination pop-up menu. This specifies the device on which the file will be stored. If you have questions about which device to choose, contact your Final Cut Server administrator. Note: Media and Library are the primary Final Cut Server devices. Talk with your Final Cut Server administrator about which other configured devices are appropriate for media file storage.
3 Organizing and Searching the Final Cut Server Catalog 3 This chapter covers: Â An Overview of the Final Cut Server Asset Catalog (p. 49) Â Organizing Assets with Productions (p. 54) Â Using Metadata to Organize and Search Assets (p. 58) Â Searching in Final Cut Server (p. 60) Â Displaying Search Results (p. 68) Â Tracking the Status of an Asset or Production with Metadata (p. 69) Â Adding and Changing Asset Metadata (p. 71) Â Searching Devices and Jobs (p.
Similarly, the Productions pane displays all of the productions that have been created in your Final Cut Server system. Productions are used to organize assets; for example, if you upload a Soundtrack Pro project file and all the audio files used in that project, you can create a production to hold that project asset and its media assets. Productions are also used to group related projects, like all the projects in progress for a particular client.
Asset Icons Assets can be marked with identifying icons. The icons you’ll see on assets include icons that show that an asset is checked out, locked, and archived, as well as icons that identify the asset’s type (audio file and video file are two examples) and if a project asset’s media is unlinked. These icons are useful for getting information about the asset without having to open the asset’s info window.
You can also get information about an asset by looking at its mime type. The mime type describes either the type of information contained in the primary representation file or the application in which the primary representation file was created. The mime type for this image asset is shown here. The mime type for this Final Cut Pro project asset is shown here. You can search for a specific mime type; if you use that search often, you can save it as a Smart Search.
About the Asset Info Window Every asset in the Final Cut Server catalog has an expanded window view that provides detailed information about the asset. The information shown in an asset info window is determined by the asset’s type. Every asset info window contains panes of information for the asset. You can also perform many commands from the asset info window’s Action pop-up menu. To open an asset’s info window, do one of the following: m Double-click the asset in the Asset pane or in a production.
Organizing Assets with Productions Productions are used to group related Final Cut Pro projects and assets. You can create productions to hold any combination of assets and projects that makes sense in your workflow. Note: An asset can be associated with one or more productions. Click a button to display more information about the production. Each of these assets is contained in the production.
The Production window appears. 2 Choose a metadata set for the production from the Metadata Set pop-up menu. Choose a metadata set. 3 Depending on the metadata set you chose, a number of metadata fields appear. Enter information for the production, including a title and priority status, in these fields. Note: Fields marked with an asterisk (*) must be filled in. A metadata set can contain several metadata groups. 4 Click Save Changes. The Production window closes.
To view the production you just created: 1 Click the “Productions created by me” Smart Search to reveal the production you just created. The new production Click the “Productions created by me” Smart Search to view the new production. 2 Double-click the production to see its details. Click Metadata to view the production’s metadata. You can drag assets here to add them to the new production.
To add an asset to an existing production window: m Drag the asset from the Assets pane into the open production window. To add a media or project asset to an existing production at upload, do one of the following: m Drag the media or project asset from the Finder directly to a production.
To remove an asset from a production: 1 Open the production’s info window. 2 Select the asset that you want to remove from the production. 3 Control-click the asset, then choose Remove from Production from the shortcut menu. Choose Remove from Production from the shortcut menu. The asset is removed from the production. To delete a production: m In the Productions pane, Control-click the production that you want to delete, then choose Delete from the shortcut menu. The production is deleted.
About File and Asset Metadata When you import an asset, it comes in with a variety of metadata. The specific metadata that a file brings with it into Final Cut Server varies depending on the type of file that the asset is and the application or applications with which the asset was created and edited. Some asset types include standard metadata, such as XMP or EXIF metadata. After upload, metadata can be added to an existing asset.
About Metadata Sets Final Cut Server comes with several metadata sets. Metadata sets sort the many metadata fields an asset can contain, including asset project and status metadata. You can use the various metadata within a metadata set to search, sort, and identify assets in Final Cut Server. Each of the metadata sets in Final Cut Server contains specific metadata fields.
Doing a Simple Search To perform a simple search of the Assets or Productions pane in Final Cut Server, you choose a search type and enter a term. Final Cut Server searches for that term in every metadata field on every asset or production. Searching is not case sensitive. In the Simple Search field, you can choose between two simple search types: Â Choosing Contains finds the term you enter within a single metadata field.
To perform a simple search: 1 In the Assets or Productions pane, choose a search type (Contains or Matches Word) from the Search pop-up menu. 2 Enter one or more terms in the search field. For example, if you want to search for a specific mime type, enter the complete mime type in the search field. 3 Click the Search button. Choose a search type from the pop-up menu. Then click Search. Enter a search term. Every asset that contains the term you entered in its metadata is returned.
Doing an Advanced Search When you click to open the search disclosure triangle, you’ll see the advanced search fields. These fields let you search specific metadata fields for the term or terms you enter. The Assets and Productions panes have different advanced search fields. The Assets pane’s advanced search fields The Productions pane’s advanced search fields The pop-up menu next to each metadata field provides an appropriate search filter.
To perform an advanced search: 1 In the Assets or Productions pane, click the search disclosure triangle to reveal the advanced search terms. Open the disclosure triangle to show the advanced search settings. 2 Enter one or more search values or terms in the metadata field or fields that you want to search. 3 Click the Search button. The results of your search are displayed in the main part of the window.
Text Filtering Criteria Text filtering criteria are used to search Title, Filename, Location, Stored On, and other metadata fields. You can use the following filters to search these metadata fields: Filter Definition All Returns all terms. Equals Returns only the text entered. Not Equals Returns assets that do not contain the text entered. Contains Returns all assets that include the text entered. Begins with Returns assets that begin with the text entered.
Creating a Smart Search If you want to save a simple or advanced search that you have configured, you can create a Smart Search. Smart Searches are useful because you can use them again and again. Note: A Smart Search is only saved for the user who created it. The Smart Search is not saved to other users’ or the administrator’s Final Cut Server clients.
To search the Assets or Productions pane using a Smart Search: m Click a Smart Search in the list in the column on the left of the main Final Cut Server window. Assets Smart Searches Productions Smart Searches The search results appear in the main part of the window. Once you have created a Smart Search, you cannot modify it. You can, however, delete a Smart Search at any time. To delete a Smart Search: m Control-click the Smart Search, then choose Delete from the shortcut menu.
Displaying Search Results In the Assets and Productions pane, you can view your search results in Thumbnail or List view and change the display order of items using the Toolbar buttons and controls. Choose a sorting option from this pop-up menu. Choose Thumbnail or List view. Choose a specific page of search results. Choose the order to sort by (ascending or descending). Move through the pages of search results.
Tracking the Status of an Asset or Production with Metadata Final Cut Server comes with several default Smart Searches and metadata sets that you can use to determine the status of an asset. The Status metadata set, for example, was designed to help you track the status of assets and productions in Final Cut Server. Assets and productions have a slightly different set of Status metadata fields.
You can configure your own search using the advanced search options. For example, you can search for all assets that have a Status metadata field set to In Progress. After setting up a search, you can save it as a Smart Search. Set the Status field to In Progress to search for those assets. The assets area highlights to indicate that the search configuration does not match a Smart Search. Click this button to save the current search setting as a Smart Search.
Adding and Changing Asset Metadata As an asset moves through your organization’s workflow, you may want to add or change the metadata associated with the asset. For example, when an asset has been edited and is ready to be reviewed by a client, you can set the asset’s Status metadata field to Ready for Review. To add or change the metadata associated with an asset: 1 Double-click the asset in the Assets pane or in a production. 2 In the asset info window, click Metadata. 3 Choose a metadata group to view.
Searching Devices and Jobs Two advanced user searches, Search Devices and Search All Jobs, are available in the Final Cut Server client. Depending on your permissions, these searches may or may not be available for your use. If you have questions about when it is appropriate for you to use these searches, contact your Final Cut Server administrator. Searching Devices If your Final Cut Server administrator has given you permission, you can search for a file on any device connected to Final Cut Server.
2 In the Search Devices window that appears, choose the device to search from the Device pop-up menu. 3 Click the Search button to search from the device’s root level. You can also click the Choose button to open a dialog that allows you to specify a folder to search. 4 If you want to limit the search, enter a term in the search field or click the search disclosure triangle to reveal advanced searching options. Important: Be sure to enter entire words in the search field.
Searching for a Job Final Cut Server uses jobs to perform actions like uploading, downloading, and transcoding files. You can search for a specific job that is running or has been run on Final Cut Server using the Search All Jobs window. About Jobs Final Cut Server performs tasks using jobs. The number of jobs that run depends on the type of action being performed. Some examples of jobs include: Â Copying a file from one location to another runs one job.
2 Enter your search criteria by doing one of the following: Â Enter a word or value in the search field. Â Click the search disclosure triangle to reveal the advanced search options. Choose a limiter from the pop-up menu and enter a value in one or more search fields. 3 When you’ve entered the criteria by which you would like to search the jobs, click the Search button. The jobs that match your search criteria appear in the main part of the window.
4 Working in Final Cut Server 4 This chapter covers the following: Â Final Cut Server Client Actions (p. 78) Â About the Asset Info Window (p. 79) Â Viewing an Asset (p. 83) Â Adding Versions for a Media or Project Asset (p. 85) Â Locking and Unlocking an Asset (p. 87) Â Writing Annotations on a Video Asset (p. 92) Â Duplicating an Asset (p. 96) Â Using the Edit-in-Place Feature (p. 97) Â Monitoring Jobs (p. 97) Â Setting Final Cut Server Client Preferences (p.
Final Cut Server Client Actions This section gives an overview of the actions you can perform from the Toolbar, shortcut menus, and other locations in the Final Cut Server client. This table describes the various actions you can perform in Final Cut Server: 78 Action Description Get Info Provides information and metadata for the selected asset. For more information, see “About the Asset Info Window” on page 79.
Action Description Lock/Unlock Prevents other users from editing the file contained in the asset. For more information on locking, see “Locking and Unlocking an Asset” on page 87. Archive To/Restore Archiving an asset creates a restorable copy of an asset. For more information on archiving, see “Archiving and Restoring Media Assets” on page 156. New Production from Selection Creates a new production for the selected asset or assets.
About Media Asset Info Windows Media asset info windows contain panes for information about metadata, resources, versions, locks, and the Review and Approve feature. Â Metadata pane: This pane shows the metadata for both the asset and its primary representation file. You can update any field in this pane by typing text or a value and then clicking the Save Changes button. Â Resources pane: This pane shows information about the primary representation and proxy files created for the asset.
 Versions pane: This pane shows different versions that have been created for the asset. For more information about creating versions, see “Adding Versions for a Media or Project Asset” on page 85.  Locks pane: This pane shows information about any locks on the asset. For more information about locks, see “Locking and Unlocking an Asset” on page 87.
 Review and Approve pane: If your Final Cut Server administrator has set up the Review and Approve feature, the Review & Approve pane is used for sending out review notification emails. Your Final Cut Server administrator must set up this feature for it to work properly. For more information about the Review and Approve feature, see “About the Review and Approve Feature” on page 146.
About Final Cut Pro Project Info Windows An info window for Final Cut Pro projects is slightly different than the windows for other types of assets. Its Action pop-up menu does not have all of the items in the Action pop-up menu for other types of assets because certain actions cannot be performed on a Final Cut Pro asset. It also contains an additional pane, the Elements pane. The Elements pane shows the items that are part of the Final Cut Pro project.
To view an asset, do one of the following: m Click the media icon in the asset thumbnail. Click an asset’s icon to view the asset. m Control-click the asset, then choose View and a viewing format from the shortcut menu. The asset you selected appears in an appropriate viewing application. The video clip shown in this example appears in QuickTime Player. When you view an image, the full-sized image appears.
Adding Versions for a Media or Project Asset Final Cut Server can track an asset as you edit it, providing a version for each change made to the primary representation of each file. If your Final Cut Server administrator turned on asset version control during the installation process, your system may already be making versions for assets as you check them out and then back in. You can see if version control is turned on for an asset by viewing the Versions pane in the asset’s info window.
To check out and edit the asset: 1 Select the asset, then do one of the following: Â Click the Check Out button in the Toolbar. Â Control-click the asset, then choose Check Out from the shortcut menu. 2 In the Check Out window that appears, enter a check out location and click Check Out. 3 Edit the asset. 4 When you’re finished editing, save the asset. To check in the edited asset as a new version: 1 Select the asset, then do one of the following: Â Click the Check In button in the Toolbar.
 New Asset from Version: Click this option to create a new asset from the version or to copy the selected version of an asset to another device.  Revert to this Version: Click this option to delete the assets that were created after the selected version. When you revert to a previous version, the current version is replaced with the selected version. Your Final Cut Server administrator has configured the version control feature to meet your organization’s needs.
User Lock You or another user can put a User lock on an asset by clicking the Lock button in the Toolbar or by choosing Lock from the asset’s shortcut menu. After a User lock has been applied to an asset, a lock icon (either “locked by me” or “locked by other”) appears on the asset’s thumbnail. Also, the lock that was applied is noted as a User lock in the Locks pane of the asset info window. The Locks pane shows the lock details.
For more information about checking out a media asset, see “Checking Out, Editing, and Checking In a Media Asset” on page 105. For more information about checking out a Final Cut Pro project, see “Checking Out a Final Cut Pro Project” on page 118. Also see “Reference Lock,” next. For more information about checking out a Final Cut Studio project asset, see Chapter 7, “Working with Final Cut Studio Projects,” on page 129.
To apply a User lock to an asset, do one of the following: m Select the asset in the Assets pane, then click the Lock button in the Toolbar. m Control-click the asset, then choose Lock from the shortcut menu. Select the asset and click the Lock button. Alternatively, you can Control-click the asset, then choose Lock from the shortcut menu. After locking an asset, a lock icon appears on the asset, indicating that the asset is locked.
m Control-click the asset, then choose Unlock from the shortcut menu. Select the asset and click the Unlock button. Alternatively, you can Control-click the asset, then choose Unlock from the shortcut menu. The icon disappears, and the asset is unlocked. If an asset is locked by another user, you can open that asset’s info window and view the Locks pane to find out which user has locked the asset. This icon indicates this asset is locked by someone else. The Locked By field shows who locked the asset.
Writing Annotations on a Video Asset You can add annotations to a video asset. In the Annotations window, you can view a video clip and then add text at different points in the video clip. Because the annotations stay with the clip asset in Final Cut Server, annotations are useful for making notes for yourself or others in your workgroup. You can easily view these annotations in Final Cut Server. They stay with the asset until you manually clear the annotation.
The Annotations window appears. You must mark an In point or an Out point for each annotation. 4 Position the playhead at the In point, either by dragging the playhead or using the navigation controls. Then click the Mark In button or press I on your keyboard. You can set an Out point using the same process. Click the Mark In and Mark Out buttons (or press your keyboard’s I or O key) to mark In and Out points. Drag this slider to locate frames of video. Click this button to open the asset’s info window.
5 Type a comment in the Annotation field below the viewer window. The annotation The In and Out points associated with the annotation Click the Add Annotation button to save the annotation. 6 To add the annotation to the Annotation list at the right, click the Add Annotation button. The annotation is added to the list. The annotation you added appears in this list. To replace the text of an existing annotation: 1 Click the In or Out Point button in the Annotation list.
To delete one or more selected annotations from the Annotation list: 1 Select one or more annotations you wish to delete. 2 Control-click the annotation and choose Delete Selected from the shortcut menu. You can also click the delete button to delete a single annotation. Control-click an annotation to open this shortcut menu. The selected annotation or annotations are deleted. To delete all the annotations on an asset: 1 Select any annotation you wish to delete.
Duplicating an Asset Choosing to duplicate an asset creates a copy of the asset in Final Cut Server. If you want to create two distinct iterations of a media or project asset, you can easily do so by duplicating the asset. To duplicate an asset: 1 Control-click the asset, then choose Duplicate from the shortcut menu. The Duplicate window appears. 2 Select a destination device from the Destination pop-up menu.
Using the Edit-in-Place Feature Your Final Cut Server administrator can configure the edit-in-place feature and create copies of assets for editing directly on an Xsan server or other shared storage locations. When the edit-in-place feature is set up, you no longer need to download, cache, or check out the asset; instead, you can drag your asset directly from the asset catalog to an application for editing. Important: Edit-in-place must be set up by your Final Cut Server administrator.
The Downloads & Uploads Window For more information about files being uploaded or downloaded, you can open the Downloads & Uploads window, which shows the specific files being downloaded and information about the status of each. Note: The Downloads & Uploads window does not show details about files being transcoded to create proxy files. You can see the details about the transcoding of these files in the Search All Jobs window.
To search for a specific job or jobs: 1 Choose Search All Jobs from the Server pop-up menu. Click the Server button. Choose Search All Jobs from the pop-up menu. The Search All Jobs window appears. Enter a search term. Click this button to see advanced search options.
Setting Final Cut Server Client Preferences Your Final Cut Server administrator is responsible for configuring most of the preferences that affect you while working with your Final Cut Server client. However, there are a few settings that you can change in your client copy only. You can change how the search results in your client are displayed. You can define the location and size of your cache memory.
About Cache Preferences The cache is where your local copies of media files are downloaded. It is not suggested that users view or move files that are in the cache. Instead, export copies of files that you want to use to your desktop or another convenient location. However, you can decide where you want your cache to be located. In the Preferences window, you can change the location and size of the cache. You can also quickly clear the cache in the Preferences window.
5 Working with Media Assets 5 This chapter covers the following: Â About Caching (p. 103) Â Checking Out, Editing, and Checking In a Media Asset (p. 105) Â Preparing Media Assets To Be Used on a Computer That Is Not Connected to the Final Cut Server Network (p. 107) Â Exporting Media Assets (p. 111) This chapter explains how to edit media assets, including video clips and graphics, in applications other than Final Cut Server.
To add an asset to your cache: m Control-click the asset, then choose Add to Cache from the shortcut menu. When the asset is cached, the asset’s background changes to a lighter gray color. 4_2, with the lighter gray background, is cached. In some situations, a file that is stored in your Final Cut Server cache may expire. When this happens, an icon appears on the asset, indicating that the file that is cached for that asset is expired.
To correct an expired cache: m Control-click the asset, then choose Remove from Cache from the shortcut menu. The icon disappears, indicating that the expired file has been removed from your Final Cut Server cache. You can change several settings for your Final Cut Server cache in Final Cut Server Preferences. For more information, see “About Cache Preferences” on page 101. Important: Final Cut Server manages the files in your local computer’s cache.
To check out a media asset, edit it, and check the edited media file back in to Final Cut Server: 1 Locate the media asset that you want to check out. 2 Do one of the following: Â Select the asset, then click the Check Out button in the Toolbar. Â Control-click the media asset, then choose Check Out from the shortcut menu. Click the Check Out button. 3 In the Check Out window that appears, choose a location to save the checked out media file. 4 Click the Check Out button.
8 In Final Cut Server, check the file back in by doing one of the following: Â Select the checked out asset, then click the Check In button in the Toolbar. Â Control-click the asset, then choose Check In from the shortcut menu. If version control is not turned on for the asset, the asset is checked in. 9 If version control is turned on for the asset, a Check In window appears. If appropriate, enter a version comment and click Check In.
To prepare media assets for disconnected use: 1 Choose Preferences from the Server pop-up menu (the pop-up menu in the Final Cut Server main window that appears when you click the Server button). 2 In the Final Cut Server Preferences window, verify the location at which the alias files will be placed. If you want to change the location, click Choose and enter a new location on your local computer, then click Apply Changes to save the new location. Click the Choose button.
4 Control-click one of the selected assets, then choose Prepare for Disconnected Use from the shortcut menu. Choose Prepare for Disconnected Use. The files are copied to the Final Cut Server cache, and alias copies of the files are put in the location you specified in the “Saved aliases for prepared media files” field in the Preferences window. To create a Final Cut Pro project using the files that have been prepared for disconnected use: 1 Create a new project in Final Cut Pro.
To upload the new Final Cut Pro project to Final Cut Server: 1 Do one of the following: Â Drag the Final Cut Pro project file from the Finder to the column on the left of the Final Cut Server main window, the Assets pane, or a production. Â Choose Upload File from the Server pop-up menu (the pop-up menu in the Final Cut Server main window that appears when you click the Server button), select the Final Cut Pro project file in the file browser that appears, then click Upload.
Exporting Media Assets Exporting is useful for creating copies of media files for editing or for making a backup copy. You can export copies of media assets even if the asset is locked or checked out by another user. Important: Once you export a media asset, the exported file is no longer managed by Final Cut Server. If you want to create a managed copy of an asset that can be checked in and tracked by Final Cut Server, check out the asset.
6 Working with Final Cut Pro Projects 6 This chapter covers the following: Â About Final Cut Pro Projects (p. 114) Â Using Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Server Together (p. 115) Â Moving Final Cut Pro Projects Between Final Cut Server and Final Cut Pro (p. 117) Â Checking Out a Final Cut Pro Project (p. 118) Â Editing a Checked Out Project in Final Cut Pro (p. 120) Â Checking In a Final Cut Pro Project (p. 121) Â Making Versions of Final Cut Pro Project Assets (p.
About Final Cut Pro Projects When you upload a Final Cut Pro project to Final Cut Server, the Final Cut Pro project is uploaded as an asset, and each media file that is linked to that Final Cut Pro project asset is also uploaded as an independent media asset, called an element of that project. Final Cut Server uses elements to track the linked media assets. Elements are listed in the project asset’s Elements pane.
Using Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Server Together There are several ways you can work with a Final Cut Pro project: Â You can check out the Final Cut Pro project. Checking out a Final Cut Pro project is the best way to work with it, because the checked out project and media assets are managed by Final Cut Server. After you’ve modified the project, you can check it back in, updating the project in Final Cut Server with any changes.
Resolving Offline Media Issues After uploading or checking in a Final Cut Pro project, you may find that one or more of the project’s media files have gone offline. You’ll know that the media is offline because an offline icon appears on the asset. This icon shows that one or more of the project’s media files are offline. Final Cut Server cannot modify a Final Cut Pro project’s media links.
Moving Final Cut Pro Projects Between Final Cut Server and Final Cut Pro After uploading a Final Cut Pro project, it’s easy to revise and update the original project. Simply check out the project, modify it in Final Cut Pro, save it, and then check the project back in. At checkin, the Final Cut Server project asset is updated in Final Cut Server.
Checking Out a Final Cut Pro Project Checking out a Final Cut Pro project creates a managed copy of the project at the location you specify. When you check out a Final Cut Pro project, the project asset’s primary representation is locked and cannot be modified by other users. Additionally, every media asset that is used in the project is locked with a Reference lock and cannot be modified by other users.
To check out a Final Cut Pro project: 1 In the Assets pane or within a production, do one of the following: Â Select the Final Cut Pro project that you want to check out, and then click the Check Out button in the Toolbar. Â Control-click the Final Cut Pro project that you want to check out, then choose Check Out from the shortcut menu. Alternately, you can select the asset and choose Check Out from the shortcut menu. Select the Final Cut Pro asset and click the Check Out button.
3 If the Edit Proxy feature has not been enabled, original media will be used by default. If the Edit Proxy feature has been enabled, choose Original Media or Edit Proxy from the Use pop-up menu. This defines the media type that will be used while you’re editing the project. Note: Select the Keep Media with Project checkbox only if you are planning to edit the project when your computer is not connected to the Final Cut Server network.
To save a checked out Final Cut Pro project: m Save the project in the location you specified at checkout. Important: You must save the project in exactly the same location from which you checked it out. Not saving your Final Cut Pro project before checking it back in will not maintain the edits you performed. About Using Media Manager with a Checked Out Project Using the Final Cut Pro Media Manager to organize a project that is managed by Final Cut Server can cause various media management problems.
To check a project back in to Final Cut Server: 1 In the Assets pane or in a production, do one of the following: Â Select the asset, then click the Check In button in the Toolbar. Â Control-click the project, then choose Check In from the shortcut menu. Select the Final Cut Pro asset and click the Check In button. Alternately, you can select the asset and choose Check In from the shortcut menu. When you check in the project, a Check In window appears.
Making Versions of Final Cut Pro Project Assets Final Cut Server can track Final Cut Pro project files as you edit them, providing a version for each changed version of a project that is checked in to Final Cut Server. If your Final Cut Server administrator turned on asset version control during the installation process, your system may already be creating new versions of assets as you revise them.
7 Add a comment in the window that appears. Type comments about this version here. 8 Click the Check In button. When you check in an updated version of the asset, the previous version appears in the Versions pane of the asset’s info window. Working on Final Cut Pro Projects While Away from the Final Cut Server Network You can easily work on checked out projects while your computer is not connected to the Final Cut Server network.
If you are checking out the project to a computer that is connected to the Final Cut Server network (for example, a portable computer that you carry between your work and your home), you do not need to include the linked media in your checkout. This is because the media files are stored in the computer’s Final Cut Server cache. The checked out Final Cut Pro project will reference the media files that are stored on your local computer, the same computer that you have carried home to edit with.
You can track the progress of the checkout by watching the Jobs in Progress indicator. The spinning gear indicates that Final Cut Server is downloading copies of the files you checked out, and the number indicates the number of files being downloaded. For more information, you can open the Downloads & Uploads window, which shows the specific files being downloaded and information about the status of each downloaded file.
Exporting a Final Cut Pro Project You can always export a copy of a Final Cut Pro project for editing, even if a project is locked or checked out by another user. Exporting without a transcode yields a simple copy of the project and its media, ready for editing. Important: Exported project files cannot be checked in or otherwise referenced to the original Final Cut Pro project asset. If you want to track an exported Final Cut Pro project in Final Cut Server, you must upload it as a new asset.
4 Select the Keep Media with Project checkbox. This provides local copies of the media files. Select the Keep Media with Project checkbox. 5 Click the Export button. A copy of the project file and its media files are exported to the location you specified in the Export Final Cut Pro window. Important: Remember, you cannot check an exported Final Cut Pro project file back in to Final Cut Server. If you want to track this exported copy in Final Cut Server, you must upload the project file as a new asset.
7 Working with Final Cut Studio Projects 7 This chapter covers the following: Â About Editing Final Cut Studio Project Assets (p. 129) Â Checking Out, Editing, and Checking In Bundle Assets (p. 130) Â Checking Out, Editing, and Checking In Final Cut Studio Projects and Their Media Files (p. 132) Â Exporting a Project Asset and Its Media (p.
When you upload a folder containing the project file and media files, Final Cut Server displays a dialog asking you if you want to upload the folder as a bundle asset or as individual assets. This chapter explains how to check out and export Final Cut Studio projects that have been uploaded using either of these options. How you check out a Final Cut Studio project depends on how you uploaded it.
3 Click the Check Out button. The folder of files that was contained in the bundle asset appears in the location you specified. 4 To open the project file in its original application, do one of the following: Â Drag the project file from the checkout location to the original application icon in your Dock. Â Open the original application, choose File > Open, then navigate to the project file. 5 Edit the file. 6 Save the new file to the checkout location.
Checking Out, Editing, and Checking In Final Cut Studio Projects and Their Media Files If you uploaded a project and its linked media files as individual assets, you need to individually check out the project asset and each of the media assets. If the Final Cut Studio project asset and its linked media assets were put in a Final Cut Server production and given unique metadata at upload, finding and downloading the Final Cut Studio project and its media is easy.
To check out a Final Cut Studio project asset or media asset: 1 Do one of the following: Â Select the project asset in the Assets pane or in a production, then click the Check Out button in the Toolbar. Â Control-click the project asset, then choose Check Out from the shortcut menu. 2 In the Check Out window, choose a location to save the checked out project to by navigating to the desired location.
Editing a Project File in Its Original Application After checking out the project asset and checking out or exporting the project’s media assets, you can open the project file in its original application. To open a project file in its original application, do one of the following: m Drag the project from the location to which you checked it out to the appropriate application icon in your Dock. m Open the original application, choose File > Open, then navigate to the project file.
To reconnect Soundtrack Pro media files using the Locate option: 1 In the Can’t Find File dialog, click Locate. 2 The window that appears displays the filename that needs to be reconnected as the window’s title. In the file browser that appears in the window, navigate to the file’s location. 3 When you’ve identified the file location, click Open. The file is reconnected.
Checking the Project and Its Linked Media Files Back In to Final Cut Server After you’ve edited the project file, you need to check it and its linked media files back in to Final Cut Server. Each asset must be checked in separately. Note: If you added any new assets to a project, you have to upload them separately. For more information, see “Uploading Final Cut Studio Projects” on page 40. To check in a project asset: 1 In the project’s original application, save the project to the checkout location.
To check in a media asset: 1 In Final Cut Server, check the file back in by doing one of the following: Â Select the checked out media asset in the Assets pane or in a production, then click the Check In button in the Toolbar. Â Control-click the checked out media asset, then choose Check In from the shortcut menu. 2 If version control is not turned on for the asset, the asset is checked in. If version control is turned on for the asset, a Check In window appears.
To export a copy of a bundle asset: 1 Control-click the bundle asset, then choose Export from the shortcut menu. The Save window appears. 2 In the Save window, choose a destination to save the exported bundle asset to by clicking the Choose button and identifying a location in the file browser. 3 Do not choose a transcode setting for the bundled asset. 4 Click the Export button. A copy of the folder that is contained in the bundle asset is exported to the location you specified in the Export window.
To export a Final Cut Studio project asset and linked media assets that were uploaded as individual assets: 1 Select the project asset and media assets. If the project and media assets were created using the recommended method, the assets should be grouped in a Final Cut Server production and have metadata that is unique to the project and media assets.
8 8 Using Status Metadata in the Final Cut Server Workflow This chapter covers the following: Â Using Status Metadata to Track Assets and Productions (p. 141) Â About the Review and Approve Feature (p. 146) Â Using the Review and Approve Feature (p. 147) This chapter explains how to use the Status metadata field to aid in tracking assets through your Final Cut Server workflow.
As your work progresses, you can perform searches to find assets that are in a particular phase of the workflow. Final Cut Server comes with several pre-configured Smart Searches that make it easy for you to find recently modified assets or assets with their Status metadata field set to Ready for Review. The Smart Search changes the Status setting in the advanced search. Click this Smart Search to see all assets with Status set to Ready for Review.
You can configure your own search using the advanced search options. For example, you can search for assets with their Status metadata field set to In Progress. Set the Status field to In Progress to search for those assets. Click thais button to save the current search setting as a Smart Search. After setting up a search, you can save it as a Smart Search. Saving it allows you to access the search by simply clicking it in the Smart Searches list.
Applying Status Metadata to an Asset or Production You can apply status and other metadata when you upload the file or after the asset or production has been created. Important: When you apply metadata to an asset or production, it is not applied to other associated assets. For example, if you change the status of a Final Cut Pro project, the status on each of the linked media assets does not change.
4 Choose the appropriate Status setting from the Status pop-up menu. Choose a status setting from the Status pop-up menu. Click Save Changes. 5 Click the Save Changes button. The metadata is modified. Searching for Assets or Productions Using Status Metadata After defining the status of an asset or production, you can search for status metadata to find all assets or productions that contain a particular Status metadata setting.
Using Smart Searches to Locate Items Ready for Review Final Cut Server comes with a Smart Search configured to search for assets and productions that have their Status metadata field set to Ready for Review. To search for assets or productions that have the Status metadata field set to Ready for Review: m Click “Assets ready for review” or “Productions ready for review” in the Smart Searches list.
Important: Your Final Cut Server administrator must configure this feature before it works as described in this section. Click Review & Approve to enter comments and email addresses. You can set the Status in the Metadata or Review & Approve pane. Depending on how your administrator configured the Review and Approve feature, you can enter comments and email addresses here.
Sending Review Emails to Administrator-Defined Reviewers In this configuration, the Final Cut Server administrator manually enters each required reviewer’s email address during setup. As a result, the Final Cut Server user does not see the list of required reviewers and cannot manually enter email addresses in the “Required reviewers” field of the Review & Approve pane.
3 If you want to add notes to the email, you can type them in the “Editor’s comments” field. Type comments in the “Editor’s comments” field. When you’re ready to send the email notification, click Save Changes. 4 When you are ready to send the email notification to the required reviewers, change the Status metadata field to Ready for Review. Note: The Status metadata field is available in both the Metadata and the Review & Approve panes.
To manually define who receives Review and Approve email notifications: 1 Locate the asset or project that you want to send out for review and double-click the asset or project to reveal its info window. 2 In the asset or project info window, click to open the Review & Approve pane. 3 If you want to add notes to the email, you can type them in the “Editor’s comments” field. 4 Enter a full email address for each of the required reviewers for this asset in the “Required reviewers” field.
To manually define who receives Review and Approve email notifications: 1 Locate the asset or project that you want to send out for review and double-click the asset to reveal its info window. 2 In the asset or project info window, click to open the Review & Approve pane. 3 If you want to add notes to the email, type them in the “Editor’s comments” field. 4 Enter a full email address for each of the required reviewers.
9 Exporting, Archiving, and Deleting Completed Assets and Projects 9 This chapter covers the following: Â Outputting a Final Project (p. 153) Â Archiving and Restoring Media Assets (p. 156) Â Deleting Assets from Final Cut Server (p. 158) This chapter covers the final steps of working with an asset: outputting a final copy and creating backup copies of assets. It also explains how to delete assets and productions from Final Cut Server.
Exporting a Media Asset Exporting an individual media asset is simple. To export an individual media asset: 1 Control-click the asset, then choose Export from the shortcut menu. The Export window appears. 2 In the Export window, choose a destination to save the media asset to by clicking the Choose button and identifying a location in the file browser. Click the Choose button to change the export location. If desired, choose a transcode setting. Click Export. 3 If desired, choose a transcode setting.
Exporting a Final Cut Pro Project and Its Linked Media Assets You can export a Final Cut Pro project asset and all its linked media assets in one process. To export a copy of a Final Cut Pro project and its linked media assets: 1 Control-click the asset, then choose Export from the shortcut menu. The Export Final Cut Pro window appears.
Exporting a Final Cut Studio Project and Individual Media Assets If you uploaded a Final Cut Studio project asset and media assets as individual assets, you need to export the project asset, then export all of the media assets. To export a copy of a Final Cut Studio project asset and its linked media assets: 1 Select the Final Cut Studio project asset and all of the project’s linked media. Note: Switching to List view in the Productions pane can make it easier to Shift-click a list of media assets.
To archive an asset: m Control-click the media asset, then choose “Archive to” and an archive device from the shortcut menu. The media asset is archived, and the archive icon appears on its thumbnail. To restore a media asset and move the asset’s primary representation off the archive device: m Control-click the archived asset, then choose Restore from the shortcut menu. The archive icon disappears, indicating that the media asset’s primary representation has been moved off the archive device.
Deleting Assets from Final Cut Server When you delete an asset from Final Cut Server, you delete the asset’s primary representation file, the proxy files that were created for the asset, and all the metadata associated with the asset. Because a single asset can be linked to one or more Final Cut Pro or other project assets, deleting assets should be approached with caution. You should only delete assets from Final Cut Server if you are certain that the asset will not be needed.
To delete a media asset or a bundle asset from the Final Cut Server catalog: 1 Control-click the media asset or bundle asset, then choose Delete from the shortcut menu. 2 In the dialog that appears, click Delete. The asset is deleted from the Final Cut Server catalog. To delete a Final Cut Pro project asset from the Final Cut Server catalog: 1 Control-click the asset, then choose Delete from the shortcut menu. A dialog appears, informing you of which assets and files will be deleted.
Glossary Glossary alias file An alias file is a small file that represents another file. In Final Cut Server, you can prepare media files to be used later in a new Final Cut Pro project. When you select one or more media files and choose Prepare for Disconnected Use, alias copies of the files in the cache are created in the location you choose.
client The user interacts with the Final Cut Server catalog by using a Final Cut Server client. Final Cut Server clients are Java-based applications that can run on computers using Mac OS X, Windows XP, and Windows Vista operating systems. Clip Proxy At upload, Final Cut Server automatically creates a lower resolution Clip Proxy file for video assets. The Clip Proxy is used in place of the actual video file when viewing the asset in Final Cut Server. See proxy. device Devices are storage locations.
Poster frame A Poster frame is a JPEG proxy file generated from a media asset’s primary representation file at upload. See proxy. prepared media In Final Cut Server, you can prepare media files to be used later in a new Final Cut Pro project. When you select one or more media files and choose Prepare for Disconnected Use, alias copies of the files in the cache are created in the location you choose.
unmanaged file When you copy or export a file, Final Cut Server creates an unmanaged copy of the file. The unmanaged file cannot be edited and checked back in to update the original asset. If you want to track an unmanaged file in Final Cut Server, you must upload it and create a new asset. See managed file. version Final Cut Server can be configured to retain previous versions of selected assets, making it possible to restore an earlier version if needed.
A Action pop-up menu 53 alias files 108, 161 annotations about 92–95 adding 92 deleting 95 replacing text 94 Annotations window 24 AppleCare support 11 Apple websites 10 archiving assets 156 asset info window 21 Action pop-up menu 53 details 79–82 info window 82 Locks pane 81 Metadata pane 80, 81, 82 opening 53 Resources pane 80 Review & Approve pane 82 Versions pane 81 assets adding annotation 92 adding to cache 104 adding to productions during upload 57 alias files 108 archiving 156 caching 103–105 catalo
D devices edit-in-place 97 Library 36 Media 36 disconnecting from Final Cut Server Final Cut Pro projects 124–126 media assets 107–110 Downloads & Uploads window clearing 98 introduction 25 opening 98 using 98 duplicating an asset 96 DVD Studio Pro projects about .
I info window asset 21 Final Cut Pro project 22 Final Cut Studio project 22 production 23 J jobs about 74 Jobs in Progress indicator 97 monitoring 97–99 Search All Jobs window 98 K Keep Media with Project checkbox 125 keyboard shortcuts, about 28 L Library device 36 Link Upload window 44 List view 18 locking assets 87–91 locks Checkout 88 locking and unlocking User lock 89–91 Reference 89 User 88 M managed file 162 Media device 36 Media Manager 121 metadata changing on assets 71 file and asset 59 introd
S Search All Jobs window introduction 25 using 74–75, 98 Search Devices window about its contents 72 introduction 26 searching tips 73 using 72–73 searching advanced 63–65 displaying results 68 introduction 20 preferences 100 result pages 68 simple 61–62 Smart Search 66–67, 146 using Search All Jobs window 74–75 using Search Devices window 72–73 using status metadata 145 servers, about 7 shortcut menus introduction 28 versions 86 Smart Search and users 66 creating 66–67 deleting 67 locating Ready for Review
