📥 Core Workflows

Importing Footage from SD Cards

SD Studio automatically detects when you insert an SD card and shows an import dialog.

Step-by-Step Import Process

Insert SD Card
- SD Studio detects the card automatically
- Import dialog appears automatically
Review Source Information
- Check the detected volumes (SD cards)
- See file count and total size
- Review camera profile (if configured)
Choose Import Destination

Option A: Import to Vault
- Stores raw footage in organized vault structure
- Best for: Archiving all footage, master copies
- Includes automatic 3-2-1 backup (if configured)
Option B: Import to Project
- Imports directly into a project folder
- Best for: Active editing projects
- Select a project from the list
Select Organization Layout

Choose how files are organized:
- Date/Camera: 2025-01-15/Camera A/
- Camera/Date: Camera A/2025-01-15/
- Date Only: 2025-01-15/
- Flat: All files in one folder
- Media Type Separated: Organized by file type (Video, Audio, etc.)
Review Backup Strategy (if importing to Vault)
- See where files will be copied
- Verify 3-2-1 backup is active (3 locations minimum)
- Add destinations in Settings if needed
Start Import
- Click "Start Import"
- Watch progress in real-time
- See current file being copied
- Wait for completion notification
Import Complete
- Notification appears when finished
- Review any errors (if any)
- Files are safely stored in all destinations

After Import

Files are copied to vault (or project) and all backup destinations
Checksums are verified (if enabled)
Source files can be deleted from SD card (if enabled)
SD card can be ejected automatically (if enabled)

Creating a Project

Projects provide a standardized folder structure for your editing work.

Create a New Project

Open Projects Tab
- Click the "Projects" tab in the main window
- Or use menu: View → Projects
Click "New Project"
- Click the "+" button in the toolbar
- Or press ⌘N
Configure Project
- Enter a project name (e.g., "Summer Commercial 2025")
- Optional: Customize folder title
- Select a project profile:
  - Standard: Raw, Selected, B-Roll, Audio, Project Files
  - Custom: Your own folder structure
Create Project
- Click "Create"
- Folders are scaffolded automatically
- Option: Check "Open in Finder" to see the project folder

Project Folders

Standard project structure includes:

Project Name/
├── Raw/          # Unprocessed footage
├── Selected/     # Selected clips for editing
├── B-Roll/       # Additional footage
├── Audio/        # Audio files
└── Project Files/ # NLE project files

Managing Projects

View Projects

Projects Tab: See all projects in your workspace
Projects are sorted by last modified date
See project size and file count

Rename a Project

Right-click on a project
Select "Rename"
Enter new name
Confirm

Delete a Project

Right-click on a project
Select "Delete"
Confirm deletion
Project folder is moved to trash

Warning: This permanently deletes the project folder. Consider archiving first.

Archiving Completed Projects

Archive old projects to free up workspace storage while keeping backups.

Archive Process

Configure Archive Destinations
- Go to Settings → Archive
- Add archive destinations (external drives, NAS, etc.)
- Set archive rule (e.g., archive projects older than 90 days)
Review Projects to Archive
- Go to Archive Tab
- See which projects are eligible for archiving
- Review project sizes and dates
Dry Run (Optional)
- Click "Dry Run" to preview
- See which projects will be archived
- Verify destinations are correct
Archive Projects
- Click "Archive Now"
- Projects are copied to archive destinations
- Progress is shown in real-time
- Notification when complete

Archive Rules

Archive projects automatically based on:

Age: Archive projects older than X days
Size: Archive projects larger than X GB (coming soon)

Note: Archiving copies projects; they remain in your workspace. Delete manually after verifying archives.