Premiere Pro Round Trip

Adobe Premiere Round Trip using an XML File

It is possible that one day, you will need to open a project that has been made on a newer version of Premiere (ie 2018) on a machine that has an older version (ie 2017).

Premiere will not let you do this as its not forward compatible, only backwards compatible.

At present the editing suites at Bath Spa are only updated during the summer break so for part of the year they are behind on the current update.

Fortunately there is a solution. There is a process to transfer edits between Premiere Pro and Final Cut X, which we can use as well to ‘fool’ Premiere into accepting a newer version.

We shall transfer to an XML file. (Extensible Markup Language file folks !)

Here is how…

Before you go to the second computer you need to convert your Premiere project to an XML file (this means thinking ahead, either having your laptop with you or making this file before you leave your laptop/computer at home)

In Premiere whilst the project is open, go to

FILE > EXPORT > FINAL CUT PRO XML

Then name it and set its destination (probably to a USB or drive as you will be taking to another computer)

Assuming you already have a project folder with all your footage, audio, stills etc, you need to copy the ENTIRE folder as well onto this drive.

Open up Premiere on the next computer with the older version and make a new project and set its destination

Once open, go to FILE > IMPORT

And browse to the XML file in your usb/drive

And press IMPORT

The project and sequence will import and you should see a folder in the Project panel

Within here you will see the transferred sequence which can be dragged onto the timeline.

If you have kept your project on the drive from the very start, Premiere should find the footage straight away.

If the footage is in a different location though, you will get a notification like this.

Go to the LOCATE button at the bottom and navigate to the corresponding shot in your footage folder, Premiere should link this and all the rest of the footage, then open up the timeline.

If there are still red offline clips on the timeline, select them one at a time, right click and select LINK MEDIA from the drop down menu and navigate to where your new footage is kept. You will need to do this for each clip.

Don't forget to save your new project !

Written by FR

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