Apple Final Cut Pro is a specialty application,
requested by one or more faculty members for the purpose of being
taught and used in class. Primary support for this application is
provided by the instructor(s) who requested it. Support by Systems
Labs consultants is limited to opening, saving, printing, and the
information on this page. Questions should be directed to your instructor.
Additional support is provided through use of the electronic manual
accessible through the application's Help menu.
You are welcome to ask the consultant on duty for
assistance, but please recognize that s/he has not been trained on
this application and may not be able to adequately answer your question
or solve your problem.
Storage | Versions | Configuring
Scratch Disks |
Sound Issues | Quits on Launch
Digital Video File Storage:
Digital video files can often take up several gigabytes of storage
space, much more than the amount allotted to each user
account. Although we offer some storage space on the hard drive
of each computer in our lab, we strongly recommend that users purchase
personal FireWire drives. For more information, see Digital
Video Storage Options.
Versions of Final
Cut Pro:
We have the Final
Cut Pro Studio 2 suite installed in the Fine
Arts graphics classroom (LCLI 004A), King 213G, and in the editing
bays. This suite includes Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Motion,
LiveType, Soundtrack, and other supporting files and applications.
Students who have personal copies of earlier versions
of FCP or DVDSP, or who use Final Cut Express, should be aware that
while FCP 6 and DVDSP 4 may import their project files, the files
are permanently updated and cannot be used again with the older software
or with Express.
Configuring your
Final Cut Pro scratch disk settings:
Note: Scratch disk settings are not currently
sticking from launch to launch, so all users need to reset their
scratch disks EACH time they launch FCP. This is a known issue
under Leopard in our lab environment. We will post an update when
a fix is available.
Final Cut Pro uses "scratch disks" to
store imported video, render files, and cache files created during
the editing process. If your scratch disks are not configured properly, you
will not be able to use Final Cut Pro! Make sure to check
your scratch disks whenever you launch FCP, especially if you use
different computers.
Plug in your FireWire hard drive before beginning. When the drive
mounts on the desktop, double-click the icon and create a new folder
for your Final Cut Pro files. Complete the following steps:
- Open the Final Cut Pro application.
- Choose System Settings from
the
Final Cut Pro menu.
- Make sure the Scratch Disks tab is selected.
- Click the "Set..." button
in the top line of the capture window and select the folder you
created on your FireWire drive.
- Repeat this folder selection
process using the Set buttons next to Waveform Cache, Thumbnail
Cache, and Autosave
Vault.
When you are finished, each of these four locations should
begin with your_drive_name/ instead of Users1/. (See
example) Make
sure that the
you select the specific project folder on your drive or the
files will be scattered around the volume and may conflict with
other projects on your drive. This can
result in permanent loss of work.
If you are using the Temporary_Storage volume, repeat
the steps above using the Temporary_Storage volume instead of your
FireWire drive. When you create the folder, title it with your login
ID or your name to distinguish it from other users' work. Remember
to select that specific folder when you are configuring your settings,
or your files may conflict with those of other users. (See
example)
Final Cut Pro quits on launch:
This is a common problem with FCP that occurs when a user's scratch
disks are not set properly. The program may appear to function normally
while it is running, but will not relaunch after it is quit. The
solution requires the deletion of certain user preference files -
please ask for help from a consultant! After the files have
been deleted, correct configuration of the scratch
disks will prevent
the problem from recurring.
Lack of sound output during editing:
FCP may fail to output sound during editing. The
solution is to leave the Log and Capture window open in the background
during editing. This window may be minimized to the dock to keep
it out of the way when not in use.
If sound is still not heard, check to make sure that the clip
has sound, that the volumes of
the clip and of the computer system are turned up, and that
headphones are properly plugged in and that any headphone volume
controls are turned
up. After checking these things, ask your instructor or a consultant
for assistance.
If you experience a software issue that is not reflected on this
page, please report it to the consultant at the helpdesk.
