Automatic Asset Cataloging.
Final Cut Server continuously scans your network to identify and catalog production assets. It creates the catalog for you, generates “browse” proxies and thumbnails, and keeps the catalog up to date as you work.
Asset discovery process
A simple setup process lets you choose the relevant folders or directories on your network drives and volumes. Final Cut Server scans the content on these file systems to identify asset types, capture metadata, and generate your catalog, with no need for you to move or copy assets. When the system discovers a Final Cut Pro project, the catalog adds a reference for each asset included in the project. The references are used to protect assets that are included in more than one project.
Broad format support
Final Cut Server supports a wide range of file formats, file systems, and media storage devices. You can catalog Final Cut Studio project files as well as proposals, budgets, project plans, scripts, storyboards, shot lists, video and audio clips, images, graphics, and more.
Automatic proxy and thumbnail generation
When Final Cut Server catalogs video clips, it also generates “browse” proxies, poster frames, and thumbnails. Because Final Cut Server automatically associates these proxies and reference images with the original asset, you don’t have to worry about managing multiple files for your clips. If you want, you can set up Final Cut Server to create Apple ProRes 422 edit proxies for Final Cut Pro projects at the same time it generates the browse proxies.
Simultaneous metadata capture
As part of the cataloging process, Final Cut Server extracts and captures most forms of industry-standard metadata, including QuickTime, IPTC, XMP, and XML data. This saves hours of potential data entry during cataloging. A powerful mapping algorithm lets you translate metadata from different formats to provide consistent information across the catalog. You can also add metadata to each item after it is captured in the catalog.
Drag-and-drop uploads
Drag a file or files from the Finder, the desktop, or a connected volume to the Assets pane. Drag an asset directly into a Production to add it to the catalog and the Production at the same time. Or use the Upload window to choose files to add to the catalog. Final Cut Server performs the remaining cataloging steps automatically. When you bring in a Final Cut Pro project, Final Cut Server catalogs all the referenced assets, skipping those that already exist in the catalog.
Automated synchronization
Set up a schedule for scanning folders on your drives and volumes, and Final Cut Server does the rest. Changes to assets in those folders automatically update the catalog. Assign an editorial assistant to transfer raw footage to a folder, or organize key files on the volume in any way that makes sense to you. Because the asset catalog stays in sync with the files on your drives and volumes, you can continue to use your hierarchical file system and still enjoy the benefits of Final Cut Server.
