Common questions about CoreTrim source exports.

CoreTrim solves a problem every editor has: how to reduce the size of their project's media. It does this by looking at every source file in your project and trimming away the parts that aren't used.

Your original edit and media sources remain untouched, while CoreTrim creates an exact duplicate of your project that uses the smaller, trimmed source files. Bottom line: you typically save massive amounts of storage space.

Yes — it is built for exactly that. Each export is one self-contained folder: the trimmed (or copied) media and a relinked Final Cut Pro project that points only at that folder, never at your original files. Drop it on an archive drive, or send the folder to a collaborator; they import the project and it rebuilds from the media inside, with nothing to reconnect. And because the export is a fraction of the original media's size, it is far easier to move, upload, or store.

No. Your library is never modified by CoreTrim. When you drag your project to the CoreTrim window, CoreTrim gets all the data it needs from Final Cut Pro. It does not change your active Library, Events, Projects, or timelines.

CoreTrim runs inside Final Cut Pro. When you drag a project from a Final Cut Pro event onto the CoreTrim window, it:

1. Finds all the source files used by that project.
2. Determines what parts of those source files the project actually uses.
3. Trims away the unused portions of each media file, where possible.
4. Exports new trimmed media files.
5. Creates a new Final Cut Pro project file that links to the exported trimmed media.

Along the way you choose Trimmed Sources or Untrimmed Sources from the Source Export menu, set the handle length, and review the source list before exporting. When the export finishes, import the new project back into Final Cut Pro.

Usually the trimmed project is a fraction of the size of the original, saving you a lot of storage space and making projects much easier to share.

It can help. CoreTrim can export more than one project in a session, but clearing the list makes each project easier to check.

When you choose Trimmed Sources from the Source Export menu, CoreTrim trims away the unused portions from every compatible source file in your edit, greatly reducing the size of your project's media. Each trimmed file keeps the parts your project uses, plus any handles you set.

When you choose Untrimmed Sources, each source file is copied in full instead of being trimmed.

Choose Trimmed Sources when you want a smaller export and do not need unused footage from the original source files, or when you're ready to archive your project or share it with another editor, colorist, or GFX artist.

Choose Untrimmed Sources when another editor or archive needs the complete source files. This keeps full source media available in the exported project.

Untrimmed Sources copies whole files. Handles and multicam trim choices are not needed in this mode, so CoreTrim locks those controls.

No. CoreTrim does not modify, move, rename, rewrite, or delete your original media files.

No. CoreTrim creates a new project export for you to import. Your original Final Cut Pro Library and project stay unchanged.

CoreTrim chooses a safer option, usually Copy Original, when trimming is not safe. If a source cannot be copied or exported, CoreTrim tells you in the report.

Skip means CoreTrim will not export that source. Clips that use skipped sources will import as offline in Final Cut Pro. CoreTrim never links clips back to your original media files, so a skipped source leaves an offline clip rather than a link to the original. You can relink those clips manually in Final Cut Pro if you need them.

No. CoreTrim is a Final Cut Pro workflow extension. You need Final Cut Pro installed on your Mac to open and use it.

Open CoreTrim from Final Cut Pro. Then drag the project directly from Final Cut Pro onto CoreTrim. You do not need to export an FCPXML first.

Import the exported project back into Final Cut Pro. The imported project should match your original edit, but link to the new trimmed media created by CoreTrim.

Yes. For trimmed exports, CoreTrim can process only the used multicam angles or all angles when needed.

Final Cut Pro controls the import step. If the exported project does not import correctly:

1. Quit and relaunch Final Cut Pro, then try the import again.
2. Free up memory for the import by quitting other apps until it finishes.
3. If it still will not import, open the export folder from that run and find the Diagnostics folder inside it. Email us that folder along with a brief description of what happened.

CoreTrim creates a Diagnostics folder inside every export folder it makes, so look for it alongside your exported media and project file. On macOS 26 and later it is tagged orange in the Finder. It has everything we need to find the problem, so be sure to send it: support@edit-tools.com.

Effects, titles, generators, and transitions are not normal source media files, so CoreTrim does not copy or trim them the way it handles camera clips, audio files, and still images. It keeps their references in the exported project instead.

All native Final Cut Pro effects will appear exactly the same after import.

If third-party effects are included in the edit, they will need to be installed on any system you want to play your edit on.

Yes, if the same third-party plug-ins are installed and working in Final Cut Pro on the Mac that opens the exported project. CoreTrim can keep the plug-in reference. It cannot include a plug-in installer or make Final Cut Pro use a plug-in that is not installed.

Some Final Cut Pro effects, titles, generators, and transitions are Motion templates. If Final Cut Pro gives CoreTrim a real file location for a Motion template, CoreTrim can copy that template into a Motion Template Resources folder inside the export. The exported project then points to that copy. If Final Cut Pro only gives CoreTrim the name of an installed template or plug-in, CoreTrim keeps the reference and reports that the item must be installed in Final Cut Pro.

Many effects are installed inside Final Cut Pro, Motion, or a third-party plug-in package. They are not normal media files. Copying them could cause license problems, miss needed support files, or fail on another Mac. CoreTrim uses the safer choice: keep the project reference and tell you what may need to be installed in Final Cut Pro.

It should match when Final Cut Pro can find the same effects, titles, generators, transitions, fonts, and plug-ins used by the original project. If something is missing on the Mac that imports the export, Final Cut Pro may show a missing effect, missing title, or a different look. Always import and check the exported project before deleting originals or sending the project as final.

Read the export report — an HTML file CoreTrim writes into the export folder. It lists Motion templates that CoreTrim copied, installed effects that CoreTrim kept as references, and warnings for items that may need attention. If an effect, title, generator, or transition does not look right after import, send the Diagnostics folder from that export with your support email.

Everything a run produces, numbered in the order you need it: 1- READ ME.txt with import instructions, the 2- …_Trimmed.fcpxml project file you import into Final Cut Pro, 3- Core_Trim_Report.html, a 4- Source Lists folder holding an HTML and a CSV copy of the source list, the Trimmed Media folder that contains all the new, trimmed media files, and 6- Motion Template Resources when the project uses local Motion templates. A Diagnostics folder sits alongside them. The exported project links only to media inside this folder, so the folder can be moved or archived as a single unit. The guide walks through each item with screenshots.

The report explains how CoreTrim handled each source file in your project. It shows source decisions, skipped or copied sources, warnings, storage estimates, and the source list for the exported project.

The report helps you confirm which sources were trimmed, copied, or skipped. It is also useful when sharing the project with another editor or contacting support.

CoreTrim saves project data, the exported project file, settings, source decisions, export results, logs, and system information. This helps support find problems faster.

Use Help > Report a Problem in CoreTrim. Tell us what you expected, what happened, and attach the Diagnostics folder from the export that had the problem.

Start with the Diagnostics folder. Do not send media unless support asks for it. If we need media, we will ask for the smallest file that shows the problem.

Import CoreTrim's FCPXML and check it against your original project in Final Cut Pro. Make sure all CoreTrim exported media is online. Read the report and make sure no needed sources were skipped. CoreTrim never links clips back to your originals, so if the report shows an original-media reference, send us the Diagnostics folder.