5

I'm trying to get my (non-graded) video from Final Cut Pro X through DaVinci Resolve 10.1 Lite, and back into FCPX for the last bits (audio, logos etc). The first part wasn't that hard, just export the FCPX project as XML, and load that from DaVinci Resolve. The color grading itself was a bit harder but still very doable.

The hardest part is getting the graded clips from DaVinci Resolve back into FCPX. I went to the Deliver page, set the Easy setup to Final Cut Pro XML Round-Trip, selected all the clips and selected a destination. After adding the job and running the job, I looked in the directory that was just created and saw a bunch of videos there and a fcpxml file. But importing that fcpxml file into FCPX just loads the clips from their original location...

So, how is this round trip supposed to work between Final Cut Pro X and DaVinci Resolve Lite?

I've spend the better part of today trying to figure that out, but all I can find are YouTube clips explaining how to do it with Premiere Pro or other video editors. And when I do manage to find something about Final Cut Pro X, it says I should just go to File=>Export AAF, XML. Unfortunately that option is greyed out for me. And all the other docs are either refering to Resolve 8 or 9. Even the official documentation still refers to a Conform page which is long gone in Resolve 10, and replaced by the Color page. Too bad I can't find a way to export from there either :(

Improve this question
8
  • 2
    A kludgy workaround would be to open the XML file in a text editor and do a find-n-replace on the file path of the original clips, replacing it with the path to the graded clips. Eg if your ungraded clips are like /mediaDrive/rushes/clip1.mov and your graded clips are like /MediaDrive2/graded_clips/clip1.mov, replace mediaDrive/rushes with MediaDrive2/graded_clips, save (as a copy, need I say) and import into FCPX.
    – stib
    Commented Feb 24, 2014 at 5:18
  • Apparently, the real "solution" to this would be to import all the media into Resolve from the get go and optionally do some initial grading. Then export that stuff to Final Cut Pro for editing, then back to Resolve for final grading and after that's done it can be exported. That can be the end of the line (if done through Resolve) or you can go back to FCPX again and do some final stuff.
    – Xudonax
    Commented Feb 25, 2014 at 20:35
  • makes sense. I've been introduced to DaVinci since getting a BMCC and to edit the footage you need to do a one-light grade before going to FCP.
    – stib
    Commented Feb 26, 2014 at 6:55
  • I am used to import from HDV into FCPX and edit it there. So guess I'll redo the color grading from this in FCPX. Good lesson for the next time. Luckily this was just a personal project...
    – Xudonax
    Commented Feb 26, 2014 at 19:29
  • Are the video files that accompany the fcpxml file the original clips or the graded clips? Is it possible to post the XML file somewhere? It sounds almost like FCPX might not be able to find the new files or something, but I'm only able to guess since I have neither a Mac, nor FCPX, nor a setup that can run Resolve, even on Windows.
    – AJ Henderson ♦
    Commented Feb 27, 2014 at 18:53

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
5

Xudonax,

The preset Final Cut Pro XML Round-Trip renders the graded files in ProRes 422, but it uses an old XML file, not supported in FCPX. You need to go to the Edit (important!) section of DaVinci after rendering the project. Then you will be need to make File – Export AAF, XML... command and check the fcpxml version 1.3 type of file. It will be comfortable to save this five in the same folder used for rendered files in Deliver section.

After that you can do simple import of this FCPXML file in Final Cut Pro X, it will create new Event and Project in your current library with all your graded files.

Be sure to make render before XML-export. If you will export FCPXML ver. 1.3 without delivering, you will make the FCPX-project with original (non-graded) files. Good luck!

Improve this answer
2
  • I have another big event coming up, so I'll try this in a few days. Thanks!
    – Xudonax
    Commented Jun 11, 2014 at 15:13
  • This works great! Thank you soo much! Now I can finally start doing some real color grading. ~100 hours of footage to go, so that should be enough to get a basic grip on it ;)
    – Xudonax
    Commented Jun 20, 2014 at 22:28

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.