of media files efficiently. In this Apple-authorized reference guide, system integrator Matthew Geller takes you on a comprehensive tour of the software, covering everything from tools for tracking, reviewing, and approving jobs to automating complex sequences of tasks in a busy post environment. Along the way, Geller shares essential workflows that will shave hours from your post-production jobs. You’ll learn techniques for searching, cataloging, and finding the right asset quickly, as well as how to handle large quantities of real-time HD video, audio, and still image assets in a fast-paced production environment.

Administrators will find a comprehensive overview of how to set up and configure this powerful collaboration tool, how to customize it to serve individual sites, and how to automate workflows and manage storage locations, users, and groups.

SECTION 1: Using Final Cut Server

Chapter 1

Final Cut Server Philosophy

        Philosophy Overview – What is Final Cut Server?

        Client / Server / Device paradigms and diagrams

        Asset / Production / Metadata / Job paradigms and diagrams

        User / Group paradigms and diagrams

Final Cut Server Interface

        System Requirements – Minimum/Recommended

        Downloading and Installing Final Cut Server (Java Client)

        Logging into Final Cut Server

        Interface Overview – Callouts of each section

Chapter 2

Working With Assets

Getting Assets into Final Cut Server

    Drag and Drop Techniques

    Scanning

    Using Watch Folders

    Adding and Editing Asset Metadata

Searching for Assets within Final Cut Server^

    Understanding Search methods

    Search Terms

    Viewing multiple items

    Using Context Menus – with Callouts

Enriching Assets in Final Cut Server

    Adding and Editing Asset Metadata – with Callouts

    Annotating Assets – with Callouts

    Locking / Unlocking Assets

    How to Re-Analyze Assets

Getting Assets out of Final Cut Server

    Previewing Assets

    Understanding the Cache to Use button

    Drag and Drop Techniques

    Checking Assets Out and In

    Archiving / Purging Assets

    Understanding the Copy Function

Chapter 3

Working with Final Cut Pro Projects

Adding FCP Projects to Final Cut Server

    Drag and Drop Techniques

    Using the Create Final Cut Pro Asset Button

    Viewing Project Elements

            Viewing and Editing Project Metadata

    Adding Elements to Projects

    Annotating Elements – with Callouts

Shot-Selection for Clip Media

    Shot Selection Window – with Callouts

    Saving Shot-Selection as FCP Sequences

    Making frame stills

Check-Out and Check-In

            Checking Out a Project

            Identifying who has checked out a project

            Checking In a Project

        Archiving and Restoring Projects

Chapter 4

Working with Productions

Creating Productions

    Production Types

            Viewing and Editing Production Metadata

    Adding Assets to Productions

        Searching for Productions – refers back to skills taught

            in "Searching for Assets," above

            Viewing and Working with Production Assets

Chapter 5

Working with Devices   

Searching a Device for Media – refers back to skills taught

        in "Searching for Assets," above

Viewing Device Content

    Viewing Individual Files

    Viewing File Details – with callouts

Chapter 6

Working with Jobs   

Searching Jobs – refers back to skills taught

        in "Searching for Assets," above

        Viewing Job Details – with Callouts

        Job Retry

            Automatic

            Manual

            Viewing and Troubleshooting logs

        Adjusting Final Cut Server Preferences

SECTION 2: Basic Final Cut Server Administration (System Preferences Admin Area)

Chapter 7

Administration Overview

The role of Final Cut Server administrator

Final Cut Server Background

Administration Tools within the System Preferences Pane

        The Administration Tabs

Defining Groups and Permissions

        Using Workgroup Manager to create users and groups

        Adding Open Directory Groups to Final Cut Server

        Assigning Permission Sets to Groups

        Refers to docs for defining Permission Sets

Defining Devices

        Preference Pane Overview

        When to use Local / Network / Xsan

        Understanding Scan and Transcode Settings

        Refers to Docs for Java Client method

        Refers to Appendix for details on specific devices

Defining Watchers

        Preference Pane Overview

        Refers to Docs for Java Client method

Defining Metadata Subscriptions

        Preference Pane Overview

        Refers to Docs for Java Client method

SECTION 3: Advanced Final Cut Server Administration

Chapter 8

Administration Tools within the Final Cut Server Interface

        The Administration Tabs

Defining Transcoding Settings

        Creating Custom Transcoding Settings in Compressor

        Creating and Editing Transcoding Settings

        Linking Settings to Multiple Devices

Defining Devices

        FTP Servers

        Network Filesystems

        Xsan

        Remote Final Cut Servers

Defining Watchers

        Creating and Editing Watchers

Defining Scheduled Events

        Creating and Editing Scheduled Events

Defining Metadata Subscriptions

        Creating and Editing Metadata Subscriptions

Defining Responses and Response Details

        To Subscriptions

        To Scheduled Events / Scans

        To Watchers

        Metadata Field Substitution

        Copying

        Scanning

        Purging

        Emailing

        Defining Job and Log age

Adding / Editing Metadata

Metadata paradigms and diagrams

Creating and Editing Metadata Fields

Creating and Editing Lookups for Metadata Fields

Creating and Editing Metadata Groups for Metadata Fields

Creating and Editing Metadata Sets

Modifying Specialized Metadata Groups

            Editing Thumbnail, Tile and List View Sets

            Editing Asset and Production Filters

Adding / Editing Permission Sets

        Permissions paradigms and diagrams

        Creating and Editing Permission Sets

Admin Preferences

        Preference settings overview

Chapter 9

Workflow Scenarios

        Various Common Workflows

        Paradigms, Diagrams and Instructions

Appendix

I. Installation Best Practices

A list of prerequisites to make the most out of an FCS implementation.

    • Using VPNs for outside access

    • Proper DNS and Open Directory Configuration

    • Customer Profiles: how to pick the best one

    • FCS as NAS Head vs. FCS as Xsan Citizen

    • Limiting Bandwidth on Final Cut Server

II. Final Cut Server Resources

III. Glossary

V. Index