About the user interface

Media Sync Tool keeps a deliberately simple window: the whole window is a drop zone, with one compact control bar in the top-right corner.

Tip: Coming from version 1.x? The app was fully redesigned in 2.0—the old toolbar of buttons, including Auto Send, is gone. See What’s new in Media Sync Tool 2.0.

The drop zone

The main window is one large drop zone. To sync media, export your footage and external audio from Final Cut Pro as an FCPXML file, then drag that file onto the window to start the sync. In Final Cut Pro you can also drag events, individual clips, or an entire library straight into the window—Media Sync Tool reads the same FCPXML behind the scenes. In the standalone app you can instead click the import badge in the centre of the window to browse for an FCPXML file.

Tip: The most reliable way to produce a complete FCPXML with all essential metadata is by using the dedicated Media Sync Tool metadata view in Final Cut Pro.

The control bar

The Control Bar content depends on where you are in the view route.

The Media Sync Tool control bar: a pill holding three icons — a clapperboard for Continuity Notes, sliders for Settings, and a seal for Subscription. — The control bar, in the top-right corner of the window.

On the drop zone it’s a three-part navigator that opens the app’s other screens:

Continuity Notes — load a continuity report to log scene, shot, take, and verdict onto your clips as they sync. Once a report is loaded, the clapperboard fills and tints——to show those notes will be applied to the next sync, until you clear them.
Settings — fine-tune how clips are synced and labeled.
Subscription — manage your purchase or subscription. Its seal icon changes with your status (see below).
Back button — returns you to the drop zone. While a sync is running, it cancels it; on a finished result it starts over. The name of the screen you’re on appears beside it.

Subscription status at a glance

The Subscription button changes its icon to show where your purchase or subscription stands. Click it any time to review the details or manage your plan.

Active — your subscription is active, or the app has been purchased. All features are available.
Needs attention — the subscription isn’t active and needs renewing, or the app hasn’t been purchased.
Trial — a trial period is currently active.