in fcpx cannot select range in some clips to copy to new project

[lsolesbee]

30 minute MP4 video clip is a result digitized from old super8 films.

trying to select a range within the long clip, to copy into a new project.

Cmd-C does NOT copy selected range into clipboard.

it works on other videos, which were VOBs copied from a DVD then HandBraked to MP4s.

FCPX 10.4.6
on MacBookPro 2014
High Sierra OS 10.13.6
Handbrake v 1.4.0

 

[R S K]

Maybe try updating everything accordingly first? And maybe be more specific about where you're setting and copying the range. From a project timeline or in the event? But then, either way, it shouldn't be an issue no matter what type of media.

 

[lsolesbee]

MORE DETAILS: in the timeline on a long video clip, i want just a few minutes of that clip copied into a new project. so i mark beginning and end of desired section with markers and then grb that section with the RANGE tool and hit Cmd-C or Click Edit, then copy but that selected section does not go to clipboard, does not paste into new project.
But as i said, that long clip was an MP4 from LegacyBox transfer service from a Super8 film.
Doing these sme ctions on a different long clip, one transcoded with HandBrake from a VOB dile from a DVD, which was digitized thru Costco from film in 2010, those RANGE select and Cmd-C copy and paste worked fine.
yes, if i try to grab the selection from the clip in the EVENT area, it does work, but it's much more difficult to find the IN and OUT points desired.
Using the IN and OUT selections in both timeline examples resulted in same outcome.

what does updating have to do with anything? it either works correctly or it doesn't. I cannot update everything since my MacBookPro is a 2014 model and cnnot use the newer OS. And therefore cannot use the latest software versions.

PS. I even tried taking one of the non-working MP4s and put it thru HandBrake, the resulting MP4 still did not work.

 

[R S K]

what does updating have to do with anything?

Er… it may well have something to do with your issue? Who's to say that that wasn't a bug that was fixed in a later version?

And a 2014 MBP can go up to the last version of macOS 11 (Big Sur) with which you are able to update to 10.5.x.

Otherwise, just use a compound clip? Simply hit ⇧⌘B at your desired in and out points (a range selection doesn't work), select the clips and hit ⌥G. Use that in your new project. Done. You can hit ⇧⌘G to break apart the CC, too, if needed.

 

[Steadinan]

This has been a problem since 2020. It is now March, 2025, and the bug has not been fixed. I have the newest Mac Mini M4 and the latest version of FCP (11.0.1). Apple probably hasn't figured it out yet.

I think I figured it out, tho. If your clip's frame rate doesn't match the timeline's frame rate, it will not work. I just tried it by copying my whole timeline (with Cmd-A) and creating a new timeline (with Cmd-N), named it and set it to AUTOMATIC SETTINGS so it would set the timeline to match my clips. Then the copy and paste worked. (I purposely changed my other timeline to 30p, but my clips were 29.97 from my PS5, because Youtube always converts it to 30 anyway and then my subtitles are off.)

If you want to keep your timeline at a different frame rate, there's an easy way to copy a selection. Use the Range Tool (r) to select the part of the clip you want to copy. Then press Shift-F to find that range in your browser window. Then go to the target location and edit it into your timeline (Q to add it as a connected clip; W to insert it; and so on). Then, if you want to copy and paste the attributes, copy the clip in the timeline. Then Paste with Opt-Cmd-V.

 

[R S K]

I have yet to see this behavior nor have I. Ever.

Of course, copying/pasting from one project to another that has a different frame rate is not a good idea to begin with either way.