Get faster in Final Cut pro – 12 – ‘select file’ shortcut
This is one of those tricks that I’ve never seen written anywhere, but it save me a TON of time. It works on 90% of the file import /save / open dialogs across all programs. If you want to export a file from say, FCP. You start out by hitting command-E and then you get the standard finder dialog window. You can navigate through this window to the directory you want…
OR you can select that folder in the finder and just drag it into the import “select folder” window. The box will update to the directory you just dragged in and you saved a lot of clicking. Enjoy!
The few apps I have found this to not work with are the apps that use non-standard dialogs, like color and nuke. I’m sure there are more, but this works in most apps.
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Friday Filmmaking Links | SynapticLight said this on June 11, 2010 at 2:48 am
command-E in the export window, but drag the folder into the import window??
Another handy tip in these export dialog boxes is Command-D, which is like Shift-Command-D in the finder, in that it instantly takes you to the Desktop. While I like a clean desktop, I generally find myself exporting to there and then dragging to external disks like Thumb Drives, etc. when transferring files to another volume about to be disconnected from the machine, or copying to a specific filesharing point on the network. This still gives me a second copy back on the machine to return to if something goes awry.
I am confused as all get out – can you explain this further? This posting does not make sense as it is written.
Am I alone?
Please break this down, and also explain how this saves you a “TON of time”.
awesome site!
Thanks, Joey
Hi Joey,
Lets say I want to select a file from an external drive in fcp. I hit command-I to bring up the import window. Now I can do one of two things. (1) select the hard drive in the import window, then click on each of the subdirectories until I am at the file that I want -or- (2) drag the file itself from a finder window into the import window.
It may only save a few seconds every time you use it, but I import and export very frequently, so all of that time adds up.
I hope this helps to explain it.
Do you know a keyboard shortcut for importing folders?
I need to import 120 folders into final cut. Would love just to select all of them at once.
Thanks!
Joey,
The time-saving step requires you to have the folder you are importing from to be available on the Desktop, whether this means the folder is on the Desktop or it is available in a Finder window. In FCP with the Import dialogue open, you drag the folder you are importing from into the Import dialogue box; this will make the FCP dialogue box point to that folder immediately–no FCP dialogue navigation required.
Note: If you drag a file from the Finder (Desktop or Finder window) into the FCP dialogue box, notice that that filename (including file extension) will now populate the filename field in that dialogue box, which you may or may not want. Be careful.
Using this method saves time over the long run but can also save you time if you find yourself navigating to multiple places for the first time or have obscurely named folders that get a little confusing while trying to use the pulldown filepath menu at the top of the Import dialogue box. In addition, if you’re accessing more than 5 folders (I think it is), this method will also save time because Mac OS only remembers the previous 5 folders in the pulldown filepath menu.