FCP X: Why Files Won’t Relink

Posted on January 28, 2017 by Larry

A reader recently asked:

I sometimes have to use low-res footage from a stock library in an initial edit [in Final Cut Pro X]. When I then need to replace the footage with the hi-res footage I cannot use File > Relink Media as the low-res is generally .MP4 and the hi-res is .MOV and FCP X does not let me replace footage with a different file format despite both clips being the same length.

I then have to replace the footage ‘from start’ and then re-trim on a clip-by-clip basis, which is very time-consuming.

I’ve run into this problem myself and decided to find out more. Here’s what I learned.

Final Cut Pro X doesn’t care about changing the file formats, but, rather, matching timecode and number of audio channels. The files can use different codecs and frame size and still relink.

What Apple is concerned about is to make sure that people don’t relink to the wrong files by accident, which can create a serious headache to undo.

Keep in mind that if you are creating proxy files manually, most compression presets assume that you are only creating stereo audio. If you change the number of audio channels in the proxy, when compared to the source media, your files won’t relink. It is very easy to overlook this change when you are in a hurry to compress media.

As always, let me know if your experience is different.

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32 Responses to FCP X: Why Files Won’t Relink

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Lorne Ould says:

February 4, 2019 at 10:58 am

Hi Larry,
is there a way to utilize the keyer in FCPX for all colours ?,
as in the older versions of FCP’s eyedropper.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Lorne.
Suzi says:

February 9, 2019 at 4:16 pm

Hi Larry,

I’ve just “updated” a project to 10.4.5 and am having issues with only certain multicam interview clips. I know that the original files are indeed there because when I drill down into my multicam clip, I see them. However, and this is the weird part, that association seems to get lost a level higher (ie at the multiclip macro level where I do the keywording and then any timeline compound clips where they are used). I’ve tried relinking and even though they are there, FCPX isn’t linking to them an.

Any ideas? I’m stumped!
Suzi Pond says:

February 9, 2019 at 4:29 pm

Figured it out! The alert indicated a missing effect (though annoyingly Apple hasn’t updated this page to their new alert icons — https://support.apple.com/kb/PH12711?locale=en_US&viewlocale=en_US)

In my case it was ColorFinale and it just needed to be updated!
Larry says:

February 9, 2019 at 5:22 pm

Suzi:

Good news! Thanks for letting us know.

Larry
Lorne Ould says:

February 15, 2019 at 8:02 pm

Hello,
if anyone has info regarding keying on ALL colors in FCPX, as in FCP 6, etc.
Please advise,
Lorne.
Larry says:

February 15, 2019 at 9:05 pm

Lorne:

Sorry, I missed your earlier post.

You can’t key on ALL colors, that would make the image disappear.

But you CAN key on ANY color – use the color sample tool to select the color you want to key on.

Here’s an article that will help:

https://larryjordan.com/articles/fcp-x-chroma-key-on-red/

Larry
Nonye says:

February 18, 2019 at 11:28 am

Hi there, I am new to this site/forum and seeking desperate advice.
I’ve shared my project to someone else by copying the folder I work in (that is including all the files included) I left everything in place figuring it would be easier for him to open and relink files when he imports the fcpx project.
The only difference should be the name of the HDD.

now it seems that all the compound clips cannot relink?
He sees all the separate (non-compound) clips in the event viewer.
But I always work with compound clips… allot.. even compound clip in compound clip, and copies that are new parent compound clips etc.
I see allot of (old) forums where this seems to be an issue for FCPX?

Can anyone advice?
Larry says:

February 18, 2019 at 11:36 am

Nonye:

Hmmm…. First, make sure you copied the Library file, as well as your media files.

Second, if all the files were copied properly, everything should relink, once you point to a file on the new hard disk.

Other readers’ may have a thought, but as you are under deadline pressure, I suggest contacting Apple Support.

Larry
Alex says:

April 10, 2019 at 9:42 am

Hi Larry,

Any word on manually linking proxies? Shooting on the canon c300mkii is great bc you can make proxies as you go. But I’m currently not finding a way to link them in FCPx. Seems bonkers you can’t do this.
Larry says:

April 10, 2019 at 12:12 pm

Alex:

No way to manually reconnect proxies created by FCP X.

Contact Apple Support to see if there’s a workaround.

Larry