Redcine grade not sticking in FCPX

[Kevin Roy]

Hi Folks,

I've been working on a project recently shot in 4k on a Red One. I did a one light in Redcine before I imported the footage as per the common workflow and everything imported fine and the grades held together on the import. Then I placed the clips in the timeline. Still the grades held up. The next day when I launched Redcine and FCPX, two clips in the timeline did not reflect the grades.

So I went into Redcine and highlighted the specific clips and then saved the RMD. When I returned to the storyline (timeline) the grades were now apparent. I've repeated this process multiple times every time I launch fcpx to continue work on the project.

To troubleshoot and remedy I deleted the clips from the bin and the timeline and I deleted the RMD file. I also deleted the shortcut to the RMD the fcpx created as well. Then I re-imported the clip and placed it in the timeline. Everything was fine. Until again this morning I launched fcpx and again the grade did not hold onto the clip/s.

So I wanted to get some feedback on what the next troubleshooting step might be. It's just these two clips that are giving me some trouble. Thank you in advance!

 

[Blair S. Paulsen]

I am still wrapping my head around FCPX (I think my roughly 3,000 hours in FCP 1-7 is hard to extinguish) so when I had a similar issue I assumed user error on my part. I kept having to access the RED RAW settings in the info tab of the FCPX inspector and repeat the settings I had previously done in RCX-Pro. That got the project out the door to my client, but it was sub optimal and a PITA.

Cheers - #19

 

[Glen Powell]

Before you ever do anything to the clips in RCX or initiate a project / import to FCPX you have to Save an RMD - even if you haven't done anything.

If on import FCPX doesn't see an RMD file it will create one - but not in the .RDC file structure. Then when you make changes to the .R3D in RCX... RCX will create a second RMD in the .RDC file folder. Now you have two separate .RMD files, in two different places. FCPX has one, RCX has one, and neither will communicate.

But if you save an .RMD in RCX first - FCPX will see it on import and use it without generating it's own unique file.

That sounds like Blair's problem - But Kevin yours sounds different. Are you using FCPX 10.1.3? Did you start this project on 10.1.2, and then upgrade?

 

[Kevin Roy]

Before you ever do anything to the clips in RCX or initiate a project / import to FCPX you have to Save an RMD - even if you haven't done anything.

If on import FCPX doesn't see an RMD file it will create one - but not in the .RDC file structure. Then when you make changes to the .R3D in RCX... RCX will create a second RMD in the .RDC file folder. Now you have two separate .RMD files, in two different places. FCPX has one, RCX has one, and neither will communicate.

But if you save an .RMD in RCX first - FCPX will see it on import and use it without generating it's own unique file.

That sounds like Blair's problem - But Kevin yours sounds different. Are you using FCPX 10.1.3? Did you start this project on 10.1.2, and then upgrade?

Yes, I saved the RMDs before I did anything and I frequently hop back into RCX to make subtle adjustments and those carry over to FCPX, no problem. I'm working on FCPX 10.1.2 at the moment so I haven't updated. Wouldn't want to do that in the middle of a project obviously.

One thing that may factor, perhaps, is I'm using an external HD and I also have the project and associated files saved on the same drive. Don't know why this would be an issue but I could be unfamiliar with other files that are being saved on my main drive with the project that may be causing the problem.

 

[Glen Powell]

I asked about 10.1.3 because there have been problems... We got stung because somehow the edit machine was turned to 'Auto update'. Spent an afternoon figuring it out and getting back on an even keel - all sorted now.

Wish I could help you with your problem further - kind of hard to sue out from a distance.

 

[Kevin Roy]

UPDATE on the symptom.

So I closed out the applications and then reopened the projects and the grades for the two clips held. Then I closed out the projects/applications and disconnected the hard drive. Then I reconnected everything and opened up the projects. Lo and behold the two grades were again not reflected in FCPX. SO it has something to do with disconnecting and reconnecting the hard drive. Again my thought is that there are some files somewhere that have been planted that are causing the problem. Just a guess.

 

[Glen Powell]

Interesting...

 

[Kevin Roy]

Interesting...

It is, and it's only a problem for two clips...

 

[Aaron M Charles]

I'm dealing with something similar. I fixed it earlier this year but haven't been able to reproduce my success lately. I'm sure you're aware that, when ingesting but not optimizing, FCPX will create alias pointers to all related files including RMDs for RED footage. However, if the RMD is unavailable, FCPX will create its own inside the project file, under Original Media. If you then modify your color grade in Cine-X, FCPX will never see the updated RMD.

Unfortunately, I still haven't solved it. I've tried reimporting my footage. Removing the RMD inside the project. Replacing it with Cine-X version. Any number of steps in between. If you've discovered anything new, I'd love an update.

~A

UPDATE on the symptom.

So I closed out the applications and then reopened the projects and the grades for the two clips held. Then I closed out the projects/applications and disconnected the hard drive. Then I reconnected everything and opened up the projects. Lo and behold the two grades were again not reflected in FCPX. SO it has something to do with disconnecting and reconnecting the hard drive. Again my thought is that there are some files somewhere that have been planted that are causing the problem. Just a guess.