Hi guys,

Have anyone heard of a utility to convert FCP .xml or .edl binary files, to text edl files that other NLEs (like Vegas Pro 10 I'm on) would open, and interpret correctly?

This is probably a lame question, as I guess were it so easy I'd already know something like this exists - but am asking, anyway.

The reason is someone asked me to complete projects, each consisting of:

- source files
- .fcp project file
-. xml / .edl Editing Decisions Lists

Of course I can start from scratch in Vegas, but it'd be nice to see the preliminary cuts done by the originator; these are multi-camera music film projects and the person who handed them over to me says the first cuts were done following instructions from a person knowing the recorded pieces' scores (so, takes are already chosen of e.g. cello section when it's about to come in, or a soloist when he takes over, etc.).

Also, I'm aware of FCP being able to export several formats of EDL, including txt - but unfortunately have no access to FCP and am not in touch with the original editor any more :)

TIA for any help

Piotr

I thought EDL files were always text files. It's the first time that I've heard about them being binary.

Guide to EDL Management (http://www.edlmax.com/EdlMaxHelp/Edl/maxguide.html#format%)

Perhaps they are compressed with StuffIt or other compressor and don't have the proper extension?

I thought EDL files were always text files. It's the first time that I've heard about them being binary.

EDL files are plain text files. So are XML files. For the record, all computer files are binary files. So, by extension, EDL text files are binary. Big whoop.

Well, jokes aside, here are Notepad views of a typical binary (or compressed text - I don't know; got it from somebody working on a Mac) vs. text EDL files (only the latter is read by Vegas Pro):

The first is certainly not an EDL list or proper XML. These types are both text files by definition. Somebody who told you that they can be binary files either does not know what he/she is talking about, or wants to make a fool out of you.

You can try changing it's extension to .sit and opening it in StuffIt - perhaps it simply is a compressed file.

You might be right, Bart - I'm not in touch with the guy any more, so I cannot check on this. Also, have no access to Mac, so cannot try any de-compressor...

Anyway, the first format is unreadable to Vegas Pro, the second is properly read and interpreted.

Thanks,

Piotr

Here's StuffIt expander for future reference. You don't need Mac to do it :)

Free StuffIt Expander open sit, zip, rar and more (http://www.stuffit.com/win-expander.html)