howto cleanup unused clips in project?

Hi,
I want to optimize my media folder on disk and delete all unused clips of my project...
maybe I also want to only keep those sections of clips, that are really used? allow extra 2 secs in front/in back, so that I can still change some dissolves afterwards...

is there a way to export a project with reduced media?

thx
Mike

I would check out File>Media Management. You have the option to copy only used media files, with or without handles, for your entire project. Chapter 30 Page 569 of the manual goes over this in more depth than I can.

i do not trust the media mangler what . so .ever. never. but there's lots of other options tho....

1) duplicate project, in the duplicate project flag every clip in the timeline - color page / lightbox, select all, add flag, go to media pool page and sort by flaged and delete everything that's not flaged, then use archive

2) make a new project with same framerate and raster, in master project copy timeline, paste in archive project, that moves only the media used in that timeline, then archive

then in master project change source folder to the archived media, you now have only the media used but retain links to the deleted media should you need to access something at a later date

3) render a roundtrip with 48fr handles at source resolution, input and output scaleing bypassed and import that into the project, then delete the rest of the media, again you retain links to the cam orig should it be needed

i use all three, all are reliable.. i had a project a few days ago that was media managed in Resolve and it could not conform to it's self as the majority of the media did not exist in the media folder - the filmmaker went back and used the locators/delete/archive method and the show came in perfectly the next morning

i advise to use something other than media manage esp if the a shot is used several times in the show and comes from RED... that's a pretty certain fail as only part of the media will appear in the media managed folder

If you need to delete the unused clips in a project, I'd advise trying this:

1) make a backup of the project (just in case)

2) go to the Media Page and make sure the "USAGE" column is visible

3) highlight all the clips, then right-click and choose "Update Usage."

4) the clips actually used in timelines will now display a number that shows how many times the clip is used in the project. The unused clips will be blank and have no number. Highlights those and delete them from the project. (Not to worry: they're still on the source drive, just not in the project.)

I think this is a wise way of working because it can help when you get to the point where you need to use Media Manager or other tools to move projects from place to place. I've generally had good luck with Media Manager, but I'm a believer in checking Usage and paring down the sessions and timelines to only the material I really need. I generally don't trim clips (particularly with Raw camera files), but if it's something straightforward like MXF or ProRes files, it works pretty well, and so I'll trim with maybe 2-second handles for safety.

To add to Marc's suggestion, having Smart Bins for used and unused media simplifies organisation.

Exporting a Project Archive also only contains the media used in the Project.
Allows easy archiving of source media and Project media.

This forum really needs a "like" or "thank you" button! You guys share some great tips every day. It would be great to be able to let ya'll know there are folks (like me) that really get a lot out of it.

yes guys, THANKS a lot...
I like the "smartbin with used media" idea very much.
on the other hand, when I have all media in the backup, after some rough cut I could trust the "media managent" to clean up as well....

thanks for those great tips!

Mike

Why can't you do a simple "save session copy as" that includes all used media, that you can consolidate with handles, and the .drp file itself.
Why does everything simple have to be like it was designed by and for a computer programmer in Resolve?

hmmm... I'll try it out... I've never seen that option before (at least this thread was written for DR15 in April 2019)

but I definitely can give you a good reason for your assumption: I _AM_ a computer programmer myself
...that makes "normal" thinking quite complicated, I fear *LOL*

File -> Media Management.

File -> Media Management.

And that won't include a copy of the drp file, in that directory.

File -> Media Management.

And that won't include a copy of the drp file, in that directory.

Export Project Archive after cleaning up with Media Management?

File -> Media Management.

And that won't include a copy of the drp file, in that directory.

Export Project Archive after cleaning up with Media Management?

Again.
This should be a one step process.
I see no reason why it can't be.

File -> Media Management.

And that won't include a copy of the drp file, in that directory.

Export Project Archive after cleaning up with Media Management?

Finally! Thank you Sergey

Finally! Thank you Sergey

And I'll repeat.
Should be a one step process.

To add to Marc's suggestion, having Smart Bins for used and unused media simplifies organisation.

Exporting a Project Archive also only contains the media used in the Project.
Allows easy archiving of source media and Project media.

From what I see, exporting a dra will copy all the media that exists in the project, and not only the media used. Right??

To add to Marc's suggestion, having Smart Bins for used and unused media simplifies organisation.

This one line helped me immensely. Thank you!

All solutions proposed imply copying potentially large amounts of data.
Media manager is great for creating copies of projects, timelines and clips, but it's not efficient when it comes to a simple operation as removing (from disk) unused clips in-place.

I'm looking forward to seeing this feature in the next version of DR!

I doubt it'll come. BM seems to be very hesitant to allow deletion of files from within DR.
They even took the "Move" option out of Media Manager.

Never quite understood why there is no option to "remove unused media" button.... will make everything much easier.

BUT!

I want to add to the conversation another solution which is to open a smart bin with : Usage + is less than + 1. you will get a bin with all the media that is not used (usage = 0) .
Another rule you need to enter to this smart bin is not to delete any timelines. cause otherwise you will since the timelines have 0 usage as well. so add the property: Clip Type + is not + Timeline.

following this two rules, you can then simply delete all the list that appears in this smart bin. that can be useful if there are many folders and subfolders in your media library, like in many of my projects. (which makes impossible to view them all in one list otherwise).

cheers.