Footage ManagerStartup and Data Restore
The app opens for free workflows and restores stored libraries, media folders, and cache state. Pro access is checked when a real file-changing action is executed.
Step 01 / 4
Launch the app.
Steps
What to check
- Free features are available without signing in.
- During restore, the user sees progress, status text, and detail lines.
- Pro access is checked for delete, transfer, repair, and relink actions.
Field example
When you have multiple libraries and large folders registered, restart the app and wait for restore to complete instead of manually re-adding folders.
Before you proceed
- If startup takes a moment, the app may be restoring previous work state.
- Large libraries or many NAS folders can make restore take longer.
- If restore repeatedly fails, check login state and mounted external volumes first.
Inspect a Library in Library Analysis
Library Analysis is the starting point for inspecting an FCP library: size, original media, events, projects, render cache, original files, and symbolic links.
Step 01 / 5
Add a library from Library Selector or use Quick Scan.
Steps
What to check
- Library Info shows total size, original media size, event count, project count, and dates.
- The Render/Cache area shows cache status and leads to cleanup when needed.
- Symbolic Link Files distinguish valid, broken, unmounted, and relinkable states.
Field example
When receiving a project, open it in Library Analysis first, check the ratio of originals to symlinks, and move to Auto Relink if broken links appear.
Before you proceed
- Use this tab before cleanup or transfer work so you know the current library state.
- A high symlink count means external storage availability matters more for project stability.
- Render cache can often be rebuilt, but original media and symbolic links should be checked before changes.
Reading the Library Info Panel
The Library Info panel is the quick operational summary for deciding what to inspect next.
Step 01 / 5
Verify the library name and parent path.
Steps
What to check
- Media cards behave as toggle filters.
- Event selection narrows the file list to that event.
- The modification date reflects the latest state detected by the app.
Field example
Before delivery, inspect Basic Info and Render Cache, then narrow down the largest events.
Before you proceed
- If total size and original media size differ greatly, check render cache, external references, and symlink ratio together.
- Event-level file counts help identify which edit unit is using the most storage.
- If the modification date is unexpected, the library may have been opened recently or updated by storage sync.
Auto Relink and Link State
Auto Relink reviews link status, externalizes originals, changes media locations, and repairs broken symbolic links.
Step 01 / 5
Open Auto Relink from Symbolic Link Files in Library Analysis.
Steps
What to check
- Link Status is for review only.
- Externalize requires internal originals and external candidates.
- Media Change uses duplicate/location candidate data.
Field example
If an external drive name changed and FCP reports Missing Media, analyze the library and use Fix Broken to choose the correct candidate path.
Before you proceed
- When multiple candidate paths appear, compare volume name, folder structure, and file size.
- Automatic repair is convenient, but shared media can affect multiple projects, so back up first.
- After repair, return to Library Analysis and confirm that the link state is normal.
Find External Media Usage in Reverse Tracking
Reverse Tracking starts from media folders and traces which FCP libraries reference each folder or file.
Step 01 / 5
Add media folders from the + button.
Steps
What to check
- Folder access is restored after relaunch when permission was granted before.
- Missing folders and files are displayed with dedicated states.
- Analysis results stay unchanged until the user refreshes them.
Field example
Before cleaning an external SSD, register the media folder in Reverse Tracking and confirm which files are referenced by libraries.
Before you proceed
- Before analyzing shared storage or NAS folders, confirm the volume is mounted and reachable.
- No matches means no match within the libraries the app currently knows. Reanalyze after adding new libraries.
- For deletion candidates, move files to a holding folder first instead of deleting immediately.
Missing Files and Reanalysis
If a registered file or folder moves in Finder, Reverse Tracking marks it as missing and asks the user to reanalyze the parent folder.
Step 01 / 4
Select the item with a red question mark.
Steps
What to check
- Missing file and missing folder states have separate actions.
- Snapshots are not overwritten automatically.
- Offline volumes should be treated differently from deleted paths.
Field example
If a teammate renamed a folder, restore the path or reanalyze the parent folder after confirming the intended change.
Before you proceed
- A red question mark does not always mean deletion; an external drive may be disconnected or a NAS may be offline.
- If a folder was renamed intentionally, reanalyze the parent folder so the current structure is used.
- For network volumes, check connection state before reanalyzing.
Move and Organize Files in Media Transfer
Media Transfer executes copy and move workflows. Choose a transfer mode, assign files to destinations, resolve conflicts, and verify the result.
Step 01 / 5
Select a library.
Steps
What to check
- Library Embed handles external symlink files.
- Media Transfer handles internal original files.
- External to External moves or copies external symlink targets.
Field example
Use Media Transfer to archive internal originals, or Library Embed to make a library self-contained.
Before you proceed
- This tab can change real file locations, so confirm your backup before starting.
- Different modes show different file types. Decide whether you are handling internal originals or external symlinks first.
- After transfer, confirm link state again in Library Analysis or Reverse Tracking.
Scenario 1. Export Internal Media
Move or copy original files from inside the library to an external archive folder.
Step 01 / 5
Select the library in Media Transfer.
Steps
What to check
- Backup keeps originals in place.
- Move relocates originals and can leave symlinks behind.
- Conflict resolution appears before transfer when needed.
Field example
Archive finished project media to NAS while keeping the library path valid through symbolic links.
Before you proceed
- Backup is the safer choice because it leaves originals in place.
- Move reduces library size but is harder to undo, so test with a small set first.
- If the destination already has files with the same names, decide whether to overwrite or skip before transfer.
Scenario 2. Embed External Media
Convert external symlink media into real files inside the library.
Step 01 / 5
Select a library with symlink files.
Steps
What to check
- This mode targets symlink files only.
- Files are copied into the library and symlinks are replaced.
- Integrity alerts can appear if validation fails.
Field example
Make a project self-contained before handing off a single .fcpbundle to a client.
Before you proceed
- Embedding increases the library size, so check free space before running it.
- This is useful when a client needs a self-contained library without external drives.
- After completion, open the library in FCP and confirm media playback.
Scenario 3. Move External Media Between Folders
Move symlink target files from one external folder to another while reviewing affected libraries.
Step 01 / 5
Select a library with external symlinks.
Steps
What to check
- Multiple libraries can reference the same external file.
- Automatic symlink update should be reviewed before execution.
- A result sheet summarizes the external copy or move operation.
Field example
Move media from a working SSD to NAS while updating the related library links.
Before you proceed
- One external file can be referenced by multiple libraries, so review the affected libraries carefully.
- Transfers to NAS may take longer because of network speed and permissions.
- Even with automatic updates enabled, open key libraries afterward and confirm their links.
Settings, Account, and Cache
Settings manages updates, account/license state, language, layout reset, cache cleanup, and full storage reset.
Step 01 / 5
Open Settings.
Steps
What to check
- Language changes require restart.
- Delete All Cache clears analysis and metadata stores.
- Reset All Storage is stronger and can remove saved state.
Field example
If analysis state looks stale after a large project restructure, refresh first, then clear cache only if needed.
Before you proceed
- Clearing cache forces the app to rebuild analysis data, which can take time for large projects.
- Full storage reset is a stronger action and should be kept as a last step.
- If account or license state looks wrong, check network connection and the account page before logging out.