Removing FCP and upgrading properly

[FilmBoy77]

i'm ordering the new version of final cut studio today, but have a ton of projects that i can't lose. when my new package comes do i remove the old FCP first? or install the new FCP, make sure my old projects open properly then remove the older version?

is there a proper way to remove FCP studio from your mac or is it just a matter of deleting folders in the application section?

[David Saraceno]

The pretty set in stone conventional wisdom is not to upgrade mid project.

It can cause a bunch of problems.

Help us out with what you are moving from on what machine with what OS, RAM, and QT.

[FilmBoy77]

oh wow, i'm on the tail end of editing a feature so maybe i'll wait another week or so before installing.

i'm running FCP studio 5.1.4 on an imac with 3GB intel core 2 duo, 4GB of RAM, Leopard OS and QT 7.6

[jumpthewire]

i didn't do a clean install and it upgraded fine.

i also did that mid-project without issues.
(but probably isnt a good idea)


shawn

[FilmBoy77]

shawn did you just delete it from your applications folder? did u install FCP 6 before or after you uninstalled the older version? i'll actually be in between projects by next week when it arrives.

[kgimedia]

In the past when I have done major upgrades to Final Cut I have installed OSX and all needed software on a new clean drive. This has become more of a hassle with the full studio and all my plug-ins. This has a major advantage of being able to go right back to where you were if issues arise.

I have also have never done an upgrade in the middle of a project. This also has become a hassle as my business is doing well and I am always in the middle of a project. As of today I have 6 active projects and before all 6 are done I hope to have others. Given my situation would an upgrade be advisable if I have a time machine backup? I have been stuck with 6.0.4 and an old quicktime. Mostly I do not need better AVCHD support or RED or EX, but compressor is acting funny and I am not up to date. If I ever have any issues I can't fix Apple reps will say "oh you need to update then call us back".

To answer the posters question "Yes" you can upgrade easily without uninstalling the old version. The main issue is "what if". What if it does not work right the first time? What if it crashes? What if compressor can not find "background services"? What if all your transitions are missing or incorrect? Most of the time everything will work fine. The one time it doesn't can severely effect your current projects and their delivery times.