Final Cut Fast - Duplicate vs. Snapshot
You are ready to make a backup of your project. Final Cut Pro gives you two options: Duplicate Project and Snapshot Project. Which should you use?
Why would you duplicate a project?
You want to work on a new version
You want to change the aspect ratio
You are at a project milestone, for example, completing the rough timeline, pre color, pre audio, etc.
To duplicate a project:
1. Select the project that you want to duplicate in the browser.
2. Edit - Duplicate
Or...
Command D
Or…
Control (right) click on the project - Duplicate Project.
The duplicate project appears in the browser next to the original.
To Snapshot a project:
1. Select the project that you want to snapshot in the browser.
2. Edit - Snapshot Project
Or...
Shift Command-D
Or…
Control (right) click on the project - Snapshot Project.
The snapshot project appears in the browser with the word “Snapshot” and the date appended to the project name.
What’s the difference?
Compound clips and Multicam clips are live across duplicated projects. That means, if you change or edit a compound or Multicam clip in one project, it will change in other projects.
Snapshots embed copies of the compound clip or Multicam clip in the snapshot. If you change or edit in the snapshot or original, it does not impact the other. Snapshots create “freezes” of the project and prevent accidental changes.