<p>I think the best way would be to create a new library with a new project, then select the entire timeline in the old project, then drag all into the new project in the new library. That should give only the media used. Make sure that in the settings the leave file is selected. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-12T08:18:46.043Z
2019-02-12T08:18:46.043Z
German Dude
<p>I see that in Final Cut Pro, I can go to File > Library Properties > Storage Locations > Modify Settings and see the following screen:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/LXmoC.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/LXmoC.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>
  
  <p>Set storage locations for the library...</p>
  
  <p>Newly imported or generated media, custom Motion content, cache files, and library backups will be stored in the locations you choose. Existing media, Motion content, and backup files remain in their original locations.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>This seems like a great way to create a lightweight backup (e.g. similar to how I had to <a href="https://video.stackexchange.com/questions/25934/how-to-create-a-lightweight-backup-for-an-imovie-project-i-e-without-all-the-v">manually do it in iMovie</a>).</p>

<p>However, I accidentally started editing my project before having this setting enabled. My Final Cut Pro contains duplicates of all the media I imported, and is now Gigabytes larger than I'd like it to be. (Since I already have the original media saved in another location.)</p>

<p>How do I retroactively extract my media from my Final Cut Pro library, in such a way that preserves all the editing I've done?</p>

<hr>

<p><strong>Update:</strong> In Preferences, there also seems to be a setting that affects how media is imported:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/u8LbX.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/u8LbX.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>
  
  <p>Import</p>
  
  <p>Files: Leave files in place (instead of Copy to library storage location)</p>
</blockquote>

<p>However, this also appears to only work for new media that is imported rather than retroactively applying to existing media.</p>

<final-cut-pro-x>
How to retroactively extract media out of a Final Cut Pro library?
Senseful
# How to retroactively extract media out of a Final Cut Pro library?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-02-12)

I see that in Final Cut Pro, I can go to File > Library Properties > Storage Locations > Modify Settings and see the following screen:

> [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/LXmoC.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/LXmoC.png)
>
> Set storage locations for the library...
>
> Newly imported or generated media, custom Motion content, cache files, and library backups will be stored in the locations you choose. Existing media, Motion content, and backup files remain in their original locations.

This seems like a great way to create a lightweight backup (e.g. similar to how I had to [manually do it in iMovie](https://video.stackexchange.com/questions/25934/how-to-create-a-lightweight-backup-for-an-imovie-project-i-e-without-all-the-v)).

However, I accidentally started editing my project before having this setting enabled. My Final Cut Pro contains duplicates of all the media I imported, and is now Gigabytes larger than I'd like it to be. (Since I already have the original media saved in another location.)

How do I retroactively extract my media from my Final Cut Pro library, in such a way that preserves all the editing I've done?

---

**Update:** In Preferences, there also seems to be a setting that affects how media is imported:

> [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/u8LbX.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/u8LbX.png)
>
> Import
>
> Files: Leave files in place (instead of Copy to library storage location)

However, this also appears to only work for new media that is imported rather than retroactively applying to existing media.

**Tags:** final-cut-pro-x


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-02-12. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

I think the best way would be to create a new library with a new project, then select the entire timeline in the old project, then drag all into the new project in the new library. That should give only the media used. Make sure that in the settings the leave file is selected.


---

