Is it OK to delete your scratch disc / rendered files once your done with a project?

C

Cieloent

Well-known member
Basically I need to free up some space on my HD until my new HD arrives later this week. I have a couple of music videos that are done and there is a lot of rendered files taking up huge amounts of space ( almost 100 gbs ).


So my question is, is it ok/safe to delete these rendered files for each project? Or by me deleting them I will no longer be able to open and view the project just in case?

Simple question that requires a simple answer


Thank You
 
You can get rid of your render files to free up some space and it won't affect your project structure in any way. But you will have to re-render your project when you open it back up the next time if you want to play it back from the timeline.
 
handsome pete said:
You can get rid of your render files to free up some space and it won't affect your project structure in any way. But you will have to re-render your project when you open it back up the next time if you want to play it back from the timeline.
Click to expand...

Thank you! So basically I can delete it and if I want to play it again from the timeline I would need to re-render everything correct?

So FCP remembers all of the effects and transitions that were created ?


Thanks
 
Yeah, pretty much. Your FCP project just references the render files so you can play back your timeline in real time. It does nothing to the actual timeline itself.

So for projects that are done, you can definitely get rid of them. You'll just have to go through the minor pain in the ass re-rendering should you go back to the project at a later date.
 
handsome pete said:
Yeah, pretty much. Your FCP project just references the render files so you can play back your timeline in real time. It does nothing to the actual timeline itself.

So for projects that are done, you can definitely get rid of them. You'll just have to go through the minor pain in the ass re-rendering should you go back to the project at a later date.
Click to expand...


Thank You my friend, really helpful !!
 
Just make sure you have a nice full quality export of the finished project before you start trashing your render files. Assuming the client is done making changes, it's a lot easier to export new compressed versions if you have a high quality master file than opening up FCP again, re-rendering, etc. I generally use ProRes 422 for doing this, then you can archive it easily on a a couple drives, maybe burn a backup DVD, etc.
 
And make sure you don't confuse render scratch and capture scratch, or you might loose your media altogether.
 
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