Why FCP doesn't import directly from iCloud Photos?

Question

Level 1

10 points

Why FCP doesn't import directly from iCloud Photos?

I store all my Videos in iCloud Photo, and shoot on my iPhone. I really have difficulty using FCP with iCloud Photos.

on my Mac, the Videos won't show up if I navigate from FCP -> Photos -> All Photos. unless the video has it full resolution being downloaded.

Since I have 1TB of Videos, I use optimise my storage in Photos app. by default, Photos won't download a full version even though I playback the video. it only download when I click edit, or share, and because of the optimise storage option, it delete it after I not using it for just a while.

in my opinion, the problem is the video won't show up is the culprit, it should be showing up even thought it's merely a thumbnail, then let user download it on the go and drag it to timeline.

each time, I want to import to fcp, I have to drag my iCloud photo to a folder, wait 30 minutes for it to export, then only I can send them to fcp. which is stupid and waste of storage.

MacBook Air (2020 or later)

Posted on Oct 17, 2021 4:55 AM

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Answer 1

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,800 points

Oct 17, 2021 5:23 AM in response to Shower999

All your media for use in FCP has to be stored locally. It can’t be accessed from the cloud. Use fast local storage, external SSDs, and store everything attached to your system. Basically stop using the iCloud Photo Library for content creation, especially with pro apps.

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Answer 2

Shower999 Author

Level 1

10 points

Oct 17, 2021 5:47 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

I don't quite agree. the FCP advantage is work flawlessly with Photo app. but the problem is it doesn't work flawlessly with iCloud photo. the video clip should be showing up and allow user to download in fcp instead of invisible, thus I have to "Force download" it in Photo app and come back to FCP.

what you are suggesting is like asking an iPhone user to export their videos by connecting a USB cable to Mac 5 years ago. it's not intuitive and that means iCloud photo failed.

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Answer 3

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,800 points

Oct 17, 2021 5:54 AM in response to Shower999

That's correct. iCloud Photo Library is a failure for use with pro apps and others. Does it work in iMovie? Not sure how you would expect the application to play back multiple layers of video and audio and still images and process them, with effects, in real time over an internet connection. You have quite amazing service if yours can do that, mine certainly can't.

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Answer 4

Shower999 Author

Level 1

10 points

Oct 17, 2021 6:00 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

well. I just hope Apple will see this post and fix it. the video thumbnail just to show up in FCP indicate it's on iCloud, and allow user to download it when needed. currently it's not showing up, so I have to figure out which clip is missing and so I have to force download all videos in Photo app and come back. and it consistently play missing because it's optimising the storage.

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Answer 5

Shower999 Author

Level 1

10 points

Oct 17, 2021 7:02 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

When the full size video is downloaded in photo app, it show up FCP. When the full size is not downloaded in photo app, it doesn’t show up in FCP. So I consistently have to figure out which is not showing up before adding I t to timeline.

the video is not unavailable to user. Apple just need to show it and let the user to download the full size version straight from FCP

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Answer 6

Shower999 Author

Level 1

10 points

Oct 17, 2021 7:14 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

That’s correct, In FCP. There is no way to identify which video clip is in iCloud but not showing up.

and in photo app, it also won’t intelligently download Recent video in full size. So if I want to create a project for video I shoot on iPhone last week. I have to go back and forth between two apps and force the one I want to use is downloaded in full size, then check if it appear in FCP. And also you can drag and drop from photo to FCP, that became a still photo.

I know you can drop all videos to desktop. But im asking for flawless integration . Not a workaround

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