iMovie: Library versus Projects

[lara77]

Hi,
I'm new to using iMovie. Can someone explain to me the difference between the event library and the Project library? I'm really confused about what each of these is for and how to best use them. Can someone explain this? Thanks so much!
Lara

 

[Dave Braine]

Events are the raw video that you have imported into iMovie. You then transfer video from Events into a Project, edit it, add music, titles, efects and so on. It is now a Project.

 

[lara77]

Perfect Explanation....thanks so much!

Can I ask a followup question or two? 🙂

1. I notice there's no "save" under File. Does it just automatically save the project periodically as I edit it? I kind of don't like that: Sometimes I want to save one version half-way through an edit (I'm used to using screenflow) and then try some really whacky things and if I don't like how it turns out, I just go back to my older previously saved version. Is there any way of doing this in iMovie?

2. Sometimes I want to start editing on one movie and then finish it up on another computer. I've tried to bring the .rcproject file over to the other computer, but I can't figure out how to open it up in iMovie. Is there no way to start editing on one computer and finish up on another?

Thank you Soooooo much!
Lara

Events are the raw video that you have imported into iMovie. You then transfer video from Events into a Project, edit it, add music, titles, efects and so on. It is now a Project.

 

[Dave Braine]

Can I ask a followup question or two?

Sure.

1. iMovie autosaves all the time, not sure how often, but I think it's everytime that you change something. The only way to experiment is to duplicate the project, and try out stuff on the duplicate.

2. If you want to move a project to another computer, you need to take all the appropriate Events for that project as well. Probably the easiest way to allow for that is to import all your movies to an external drive.

 

[lara77]

Dave, thanks so much--that was the missing piece for me...I didn't know I had to bring the event over as well as the project to another computer.

Thanks so much for all your help!

Sure.

1. iMovie autosaves all the time, not sure how often, but I think it's everytime that you change something. The only way to experiment is to duplicate the project, and try out stuff on the duplicate.

2. If you want to move a project to another computer, you need to take all the appropriate Events for that project as well. Probably the easiest way to allow for that is to import all your movies to an external drive.

 

[lara77]

Hmmm, sound is now missing

Hi,
Okay, I finally had time to do this but find that while the sound is present in the event library, when I go to edit the project I have no side. I get a "source clip is missing" image where I would normally see the movie: http://screencast.com/t/RcPkkyEe

Seems like there's another file I need to bring on over, but I'm not sure what that would be. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!
Tracy

Dave, thanks so much--that was the missing piece for me...I didn't know I had to bring the event over as well as the project to another computer.

Thanks so much for all your help!

 

[Dave Braine]

I can't open your link as I'm at work and that site is blocked. It sounds like you have deleted an event.

Regarding the moving of a Project and it's associated Events, I've since found the "proper" way to do it.

If you plug in an external drive to your Mac, it will appear in the Project and Events libraries. Just drag the Project and drop it on the HDD icon in the Projects Library, and you will then get a prompt as to whether you want to transfer the Events as well.

 

[lara77]

Thanks so much! You have totally helped me out here and I am SOOOOOooo appreciative 🙂.

Lara

I can't open your link as I'm at work and that site is blocked. It sounds like you have deleted an event.

Regarding the moving of a Project and it's associated Events, I've since found the "proper" way to do it.

If you plug in an external drive to your Mac, it will appear in the Project and Events libraries. Just drag the Project and drop it on the HDD icon in the Projects Library, and you will then get a prompt as to whether you want to transfer the Events as well.