When you are ready to export projects from FCP, you must export each sequence separately as an XML file, since Smoke does not support Bins or Batch lists.

You can, however, export sequences which contain nested sequences and the nested sequences will be translated into containers in Smoke.

Use the Final Cut Pro File menu to export FCP XML interchange format documents.

If you are exporting file-based XML, as opposed to tape, then you need to ensure that the following guidelines are met:

• Audio bit depth should be set to 16 bits.
• Capture audio by linking two channels to a single audio track.
• Use FCP’s Media Manager to copy and recompress the files.

To move and recompress media using FCP Media Manager:

1. Select a sequence in the Browser window that you want to move and recompress, in preparation for export to Smoke.
   NoteIf nothing is selected, the entire contents of the Browser are exported. However, Smoke only supports XML files with a single sequence of edited clips.
2. Choose File | Media Manager.

   The Media Manager appears.

   
   

   (a) Media referenced by duplicated items box  (b) Recompress media using box (c) Delete unused media from duplicated items checkbox (d) Duplicate selected items and place into a new project checkbox (e) Browse button

3. In the Media group, from the Media referenced by duplicated items box, select Recompress.
4. From the Recompress media using box, select a codec that is supported by Smoke.
5. Ensure that the Delete unused media from duplicated items checkbox is set.

   This option consolidates the media and ensures that Smoke does not capture unnecessary footage.

6. In the Projects group, enable the Duplicate selected items and place into a new project checkbox.

   This ensures that all media is placed in the same folder.

7. In the Media Destination group, click Browse to select a location for the media and project that is accessible by Smoke.
8. Click OK.

To export XML from FCP:

1. Select a sequence in the Browser window that you want to export in an interchange format document.
   NoteIf nothing is selected, the entire contents of the Browser are exported. However, Smoke only supports XML files with a single sequence of edited clips.
2. Choose File | Export | XML.
3. In the Export XML dialog box, do the following:
   • From the XML Format box, select Apple XML Interchange Format, version 2.
     NoteIf you are exporting XML from an FCP version prior to 5, only version 1 of the XML Interchange Format version is available. In general, there is parity between both XML Interchange Format versions concerning supported effects in Smoke. Features specific to FCP 5 will only appear in version 2 of FCP's XML Interchange Format.
   • Ensure that the Include master clips outside selection checkbox is not enabled.
4. Click OK.
5. In the Save dialog box that appears, save the XML file to an accessible location.