How do I open an existing project in Final Cut Pro?

To open an existing project in Final Cut Pro, you need to locate it within the Library sidebar and select the Event containing the project.

Locating and Opening Your Project

Final Cut Pro organizes your work within Libraries, which contain Events, and Events contain your projects, clips, and other media. Opening a project means selecting it within this structure.

Here are the steps:

1. Open Final Cut Pro: Launch the Final Cut Pro application on your Mac.
2. Navigate to the Library Sidebar: Look for the Libraries sidebar on the left side of the Final Cut Pro window. If you don't see it, go to the Window menu and select Show Libraries Sidebar or press Cmd + 4.
3. Select the Library: In the Libraries sidebar, click on the Library that contains your project.
4. Select the Event: Within the selected Library, find the Event that holds the project you want to open. According to the reference, you need to "Select the event containing the project that you want to open." Click on this Event.
5. Locate the Project: Once the Event is selected, its contents will appear in the browser area (usually the middle section of the window). Look for your project within this list. Projects are typically represented by a film slate icon.
6. Open the Project: Double-click on the project icon or name in the browser. The project timeline will then load in the timeline area at the bottom of the window, and the project will be ready for editing.

Quick Summary

Here's a quick overview of the process:

Step	Action	Location
1	Open Final Cut Pro	Application
2	Show Libraries Sidebar (if hidden)	Window Menu
3	Select the containing Library	Libraries Sidebar
4	Select the containing Event	Libraries Sidebar
5	Locate the Project	Browser Area
6	Double-click the Project	Browser Area

By following these steps, you can easily access and continue working on your existing projects in Final Cut Pro.