Replace FCP Prefs X

Sometimes less is more!

Replace FCP Prefs X is the essential Final Cut Pro troubleshooter that:

Trashing the preference files is a well established method for correcting odd, buggy behaviour in Final Cut Pro. But where do you find them? And what about all those custom settings you have to recreate from scratch? Replace FCP Prefs X is the answer. It's part of the Fearless Tools suite.

Replace FCP Prefs X lets you create a master archive folder containing a good, fresh, current set of prefs. Your levels of undo, multi-frame trim preferences, auto save interval, Favorites and scratch disk settings are retained. When the time comes to trash your existing prefs simply launch Replace FCP Prefs X either from the Script Menu or using the standalone application, and your old prefs will be replaced with your most recently saved set. FCP will relaunch and should, once again, behave itself.

And now, Replace FCP Prefs X can perform those regular system maintenance tasks that happen at 2:30 am, if at all! You can choose just to deal with FCP's problem prefs, or just to maintain your system, or both in one hit.

The system maintenance tasks performed are your choice of:

These small tasks performed regularly can be lifesavers!

The script now launches Console to provide live feedback as these processes occur.
Note: In order to perform system maintenance tasks you must be logged in as an administrative user.

The current version is v6.0 which works with Final Cut Pro HD, Final Cut Pro 4 AND Final Cut Pro 3, OS X 10.3 or later. Replace FCP4 Prefs has been discontinued Ñ its full functionality exists in the current script. An earlier version, Trash FCP Prefs OS9, is free for users of FCP under OS9.

Installing Replace FCP Prefs X

There are two scripts included:
  1. A compiled AppleScript (.scpt) for use with Script Runner or ScriptMenu
  2. A self-contained Application (.app) which can run from anywhere, and is useful if you want to place an icon in the Dock.

The best (and fastest) way to use scripts is via the Script Menu that sits in your menu bar:

If the little script icon isn't visible, go to your Applications folder, open the AppleScript folder, and double-click Install Script Menu (or ScriptMenu.menu under Jaguar) to create a persistent script menu. At the bottom of this menu is the item 'Open Scripts Folder'. Do that, and place Replace FCP Prefs X.scpt inside. Or place it in /Library/Scripts to make it available to all users.

To run it from inside Final Cut Pro, simply select it from the Script menu.

What it does...

If there's no existing archive folder for FCP Prefs, Replace FCP Prefs X will create one, saving your current prefs. Every time you run it, you'll have a choice of replacing your current FCP Prefs with a copy of these saved preferences. If you answer 'No', you'll then get a chance to save the current prefs, replacing those previously stored. So as you refine your preferences for different needs, you can update your 'default' set of prefs.

Any preferences replaced are sent to the Trash, which you can either empty immediately to delete them permanently (along with anything else in there - be warned!) or drag them elsewhere just in case...

That's it for now - any comments or suggestions welcome.

Peter Barrett
fearless@mac.com
13 April 2005

Auckland, New Zealand.

Replace FCP Prefs history:
Replace FCP Prefs X (v5.9) Fixes registration bug
Replace FCP Prefs X (v5.8) Added prebinding option
Replace FCP Prefs X (v5.7) Corrects a file path error when operating with FileVault switched on
Replace FCP Prefs X (v5.6) Maintenance release
Replace FCP Prefs X (v5.5) Replaces the prefs in FCP 3 & 4 and Final Cut Pro HD (4.5) under OS X
Replace FCP Prefs X (v5.4) Corrected a problem where an initial set of prefs might not be saved.
Replace FCP Prefs X (v5.3) Fixed a registration problem in Jaguar.
Replace FCP Prefs X (v5.00) Introduced Caches & GlobalPrefs deletion.
Replace FCP Prefs X (v4.97) Introduced combined cleanup tasks/permissions option.
Replace FCP Prefs X (v4.95/4.96) Introduced Console as feedback for cleanup tasks.
Replace FCP Prefs X (v4.91) Introduced cleanup tasks.
Replace FCP4 Prefs (v4.2) Replaces the prefs in FCP 4 only.
Replace FCP Prefs X (v4.1) Replaces the prefs in FCP 3 & 4 under OS X
Replace FCP Prefs X (v4.0) Replaces the prefs in FCP 3 & 4 under OS X
Replace FCP Prefs X (v3.0) Replaces the prefs in FCP 3 under OS X
Trash FCP Prefs X (v2.0) Trashes the prefs in FCP 3 under OS X
Trash FCP Prefs (v1.0) Trashes the prefs in FCP 1, 2 & 3 under OS9