Inaccurate 'unused clip' indicator for 'Events' in Final Cut Pro X 11.1

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Inaccurate 'unused clip' indicator for 'Events' in Final Cut Pro X 11.1

Since recently updating to FCPX 11.1 the display “unused" clips function is does not appear to work as it did previously.

In past versions a triangle would appear to the left of a clip in an event if it had been used in the currently loaded project.

This function is not accurately displaying results.

I loaded a project into the timeline from an event where parts of most, but not all of the clips are used in the project. In this case all but one of the clips have triangles displayed to the left of the each. However some of the clips showing as “used” are definitely not.

Oddly, if I turn down some of the triangles, the word “Used” appears with a checkmark✔️, under clips that are indeed used in the project. However, other clips that don’t say ✔️USED are indeed not used, but still have the triangle to their left.

Has this function changed or is it not working correctly on my Mac? See image below.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Mac Studio (M4 Max, 2025)

Posted on Apr 2, 2025 2:32 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Luis Sequeira1

Level 9

72,786 points

Apr 3, 2025 8:06 AM in response to Carleton_New_Media

You may be misunderstanding how FCP interprets "Used". It is not bestowed upon an entire clip, but upon the sections of the clip that are actually used in the timeline. Thus, if you used only the middle section of clip "A", then both the start and end parts of the clip will be marked "Unused", and therefore "A" will still appear on the list if you set the browser to "Unused".

This has not changed, by the way.

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Answer 2

Apr 3, 2025 8:37 AM in response to Carleton_New_Media

I went ahead and tested.

It seemed to be working at first, but at some point the used ranges did not appear and clips that had been fully used continued to appear. I think this is what was happening to you.

I deleted FCP preferences and it is now behaving correctly once again. You may want to try that.

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Answer 3

Apr 3, 2025 12:04 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

I think I may have also found a workaround to indicate “Unused” clips with the Clip Filtering dropdown menu.

Actually, the Clip Filtering dropdown menu is not useful in this workaround or possibly at all.

The “turn-down” arrows to left of clips in an Event appears when there is a keyword attached to a clip OR/AND if a clip is marked as “Used”.

By deleting all the keywords on the clips, the arrow will only appear, when a clip is marked as ✔️USED as referenced by the active project in the timeline.

Compound Clips will also have the arrow beside them if ✔️USED clips are contained within.

Each used clip will have a ✔️USED notation under the Compound clip.

For example, a Compound clip with 3 video clips within, will have 3 ✔️USED indicators.

By clicking on ✔️USED, the associated clip will appear in the viewer to aid in identification, because the clip itself in the Event will not show as Used.

Unfortunately FCP’s method of showing Used clips is far less straightforward than the solutions provided by both Avid and Premiere Pro.

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Answer 4

Apr 3, 2025 11:35 PM in response to Carleton_New_Media

Carleton_New_Media wrote:

Luis.

Where do I find preferences to delete them?

What else will I lose by deleting preferences? Keyboard Command Sets? Custom Column Sets? etc.

Richard

To delete preferences, hold down command and option while starting the application and click Delete Custom Settings. The application will start with default settings and open an "Untitled" library.

Command Sets are not affected by this, but Workspaces are.

However, when using this process, a compressed file with name starting with "VideoAppDiagn..." and a timestamp is created on your Desktop that holds several information, including your Workspaces. These can be put back in the proper place. Just quit FCP and drag the Workspaces folder into

~/Library/Application Support/Final Cut Pro

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Answer 5

Alchroma

Level 7

23,912 points

Apr 2, 2025 4:32 PM in response to Carleton_New_Media

The triangle is a Disclosure indicator rather than a Used Clip indicator.

Twirling the triangle simply shows the additional info or hides it.

Al

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Answer 6

Apr 3, 2025 7:22 AM in response to Alchroma

Al, was that always the case?

Alternately when I select “Unused” in the Clip Filtering dropdown menu, the Event continues to display both used and unused clips in the project currently loaded in the timeline.

It also displays used clips as unused when the disclosure triangle is turned down.

If I go back to “All Clips” in the Clip Filtering dropdown menu, then Used clips are properly displayed (✔️USED) again.

So that filtering method does not seem to be working as intended for me.

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Answer 7

Apr 3, 2025 11:46 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Luis.

Where do I find preferences to delete them?

What else will I lose by deleting preferences? Keyboard Command Sets? Custom Column Sets? etc.

Richard

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Inaccurate 'unused clip' indicator for 'Events' in Final Cut Pro X 11.1

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