Importing Issue in Final Cut Pro

Question

Level 1

4 points

Importing Issue in Final Cut Pro

While I'm running Final Cut, I save my project file to my desktop, and the "Copy to Library" option keeps activating the videos on the desktop, but the "Import" option doesn't activate; it just becomes inactive. I've tried everything, but I can't fix the problem. "Copy to Library" is always active, but "Leave files in place" is disabled, so I can't open it at all. I'm having the same issue on my other computer. This only applies to files on the desktop, and the files on the desktop aren't displayed as folders.

[Edited by Moderator]

Posted on Jul 23, 2025 8:36 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Luis Sequeira1

Level 9

72,762 points

Jul 24, 2025 1:01 AM in response to sadik_sahan

You have some folder ins the Desktop folder that looks like something that could be in a camera card, so FCP is acting as if your Desktop WAS a card.

In Finder, press Command-Shift-D to open your Desktop folder. Look at the names of the folders there. There may be something called DCIM, or AVCHD, or Video, or other names. Put any of those inside another folder. Then try again.

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Answer 2

RPM46

Level 1

56 points

Jul 24, 2025 4:58 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

I would never save anything to the desktop (other than shortcuts.) It is far too easy to delete something from the desktop that you didn’t want to delete. In addition, the Desktop storage space is on the system drive, and you should never save data on the system drive, either.

Get some help to reorganize your data storage and get those files off the desktop.

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Answer 3

BenB

Level 6

13,142 points

Jul 23, 2025 9:30 AM in response to sadik_sahan

If "Copy To Library" is enabled, then when you import, the originals are copied to inside the FCP Library bundle. You won't see a folder, you'll see the FCP Library icon. Your files are inside of that. There will not be any folder involved. FCP is NOT using the copies on your Desktop, but the copies INSIDE of the FCP Library itself.

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Answer 4

sadik_sahan Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 23, 2025 11:07 PM in response to BenB

I don't want this to happen, but this didn't happen before, and now it's happening. I can't use it on my computer; my storage is filling up. I've searched for a solution, but I've tried everything, but to no avail.

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Answer 5

BenB

Level 6

13,142 points

Jul 25, 2025 12:14 PM in response to RPM46

I keep tons of stuff on my desktop, never had issues. But when I import into FCP, it's no longer on the desktop.

I save some Libraries on my system drive, no issues with that, as long as you have enough free space.

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