Before getting started with this course, it's important to talk a little bit about Versioning.
Now, this course is recorded using Final Cut Pro X version 1008.
This means that you must have a minimum of version 1008 installed, to be able to
work with the exercise files provided with this course.
If you try to work with a prior version of Final Cut Pro X, you'll receive an
error detailing the problem of trying to access Final Cut events and projects that
are too new. Fortunately, this isn't a problem.
You'll just need to upgrade your Final Cut Pro X software to the latest version.
As long as you have a licensed copy of the software, this is free and easy to do.
Just go to the Apple in the upper left corner of your desktop, and select
Software Update. If Final Cut Pro X needs updating, it
will appear in the App Store window, and then you can easily update the software
and begin working with the exercise files.
Now, in all actuality that's all you've gotta do to make everything work okay,
but I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't tell you that to cover all basis
Apple does recommend that you complete any active projects before upgrading to a
new version of Final Cut Pro. They also recommend that you make a
current backup of your projects and events, and even a copy of the current
version application. The reason that you might need to back up
your application is that the App Store only offers the most current version of
Final Cut Pro X, so if there ever is any issue with the current version, you can
always go back in time and access your previous version if you need to.
To check the version of Final Cut Pro X you have, just open the application and
choose Final Cut Pro > About Final Cut Pro.
To backup your application, just create a New Folder in your Applications Folder.
And then, name it with the name and version of your application.
Then, just select the Final Cut Pro X application in the applications folder,
right click and choose Compress Final Cut Pro, then just put that in the folder you created.
You can then Move that folder anywhere you want.
Now, as far as backing up your projects and events, you can do this via the
Finder or inside the application. To do this via the Finder, you can go to
location that your projects and events are stored.
Either the movies folder of the Mac you are working on or the root level of the
drive that you are using for your media. And then just drag the Final Cut projects
and Final Cut events folders to a new location.
To back up projects and events within the application, which you might want to do
if you only want to back up certain events or certain projects, just select
the event or project you want to back up and then choose duplicate project or
duplicate event from the Final Cut Menu. Here I have duplicate event, you can then
select the drive that you want to save the events and projects to.
Notice that when you back up projects, you can also choose to save the
associated events, or even just the clips that your project references.
For more detailed information on both of these processes, you can check out the
Final Cut Pro X essentials course. Now, if you upgrade to a version of Final
Cut that is later than version 1008. Then when you start the software, you'll
receive a message stating that the project needs to be upgraded.
Just select OK, just realize that once projects and events are updated for use
in a new version, you can't open them in an earlier version.
Bottom line, you just need to make sure your software is updated.
And in general, it's a good idea to make sure you've appropriately backed
everything up before upgrading. Now, that you've got everything sorted
out let's get started with the course.