Whether you’re working on a complex film project or a quick video edit, one of the essential tasks you’ll perform in Final Cut Pro is importing media. From video clips to audio files and images, getting your assets into your project is a crucial first step. And while there are many ways to bring in your media, using the Media Import window is one of the most common.
The shortcut to make accessing this window is Command-I, which opens the Media Import window in Final Cut Pro. In this post, we’ll dive into what you’ll see when using this shortcut and spoiler, it shows the window.
What Does the Command-I Shortcut Do in Final Cut Pro?
The Command-I keyboard shortcut in Final Cut Pro opens the Media Import window. This allows you to browse and select files you want to bring into your project. Whether you’re importing new footage, sound files, images, or even entire camera archives, Command-I is your gateway to getting these assets into your Final Cut Pro library.
How Editors Use the Command-I Shortcut
When editing a project in Final Cut Pro, you’ll often need to add new clips or other media types. Pressing Command-I helps speed up this process. Here’s how editors typically use it during an edit:
1. Importing New Clips
The most common use of Command-I is to import new media clips into your Final Cut Pro project. When you press Command-I, you’re taken to a window where you can navigate your file system and select the media files you want to add. You can import individual files or select multiple clips at once, making it easy to add large batches of media when necessary.
2. Importing from Different Sources
Final Cut Pro allows you to import media from a variety of sources:
- Cameras (Recorded): If you’re working with footage from an external camera or SD card, you can import directly from these devices
- Cameras (Live): Record live video with a connected camera using the Media Import window
- Local Storage: If the media is already on your computer or an external drive, you can browse and select it to import
3. Batch Importing
Final Cut Pro lets you import multiple files at once. This is incredibly useful when you’re working with a large collection of footage or audio files. After pressing Command-I, you can select a group of clips or an entire folder to import them all at once, saving you time during the media prep phase of editing. Hold Command and click on the files to select one at a time, or use the Click-Shift-Click method to select all clicks between a first and second clip.
4. Setting Import Preferences
Final Cut Pro gives you options to optimize your media for editing once it’s imported:
- Optimized Media: You can choose to create optimized media, which is ideal for smoother playback and editing, especially if you’re working with high-resolution or highly compressed formats
- Proxy Media: For better performance on less powerful systems or during rough cuts, you can import lower-resolution proxy media, which can be swapped back out for full-resolution clips when necessary
- Copy or Link Files: You can choose whether to copy the media files into the Final Cut Pro library (making them portable) or to leave the media in its original location on your drive
Why the Command-I Shortcut is a Time-Saver
While you can access the Import Media function from the Final Cut Pro menu or toolbar, using the Command-I shortcut helps speed up your workflow. It eliminates the need to navigate through menus, allowing you to quickly get your media into your library and back to editing. Whether you’re in the middle of a fast-paced editing session or just need to bring in a few clips for your project, this shortcut is a must-know for any editor looking to optimize their time.
The Command-I shortcut is an essential tool for any Final Cut Pro editor. By using it to quickly import new media, you can focus more on the creative aspects of your project instead of wasting time navigating through menus. Whether you’re working with video, audio, or images, Command-I allows you to bring in new assets efficiently and tailor the import process to your needs.
So, next time you’re deep into an edit and need to bring in some fresh media, remember to press Command-I—your editing workflow will thank you for it!
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