GJ FILE MANAGER · FIELD NOTES
How to Review Raw Clips and Images from a Shoot on Mac Without Touching Originals
A post-shoot review workflow using GJ File Manager to preview and copy media before final delivery, while keeping Finder and source files untouched.
The post-shoot review problem
After a shoot, you have a folder of raw clips and images that need to be reviewed before final delivery. The filenames are often unhelpful, and a thumbnail alone may not distinguish two video versions or confirm focus and framing in a photo. Opening each file in a separate app interrupts selection and risks accidental edits. The goal is to inspect content, location, and size, then copy only the candidates into a delivery directory—without altering the originals.
Keep Finder and source views safe
Finder remains the standard place to manage files on your Mac. In GJ File Manager, indexed source views are read-only: use them to inspect and copy, not to modify the source folder. This distinction matters. You can browse and preview in GJ, then copy selected files to a new delivery directory. The originals stay in place. If you need to rename, move, or delete source files, do that deliberately in Finder—not through a read-only source view.
Review video clips with preview and file info
Open GJ File Manager’s Videos section and choose a local source or authorize your custom media folder. Let the list load, then locate candidates by name or modification date. Preview a supported clip and inspect its file information to check content, location, and size. When a clip is confirmed, copy it into the project or delivery directory, then check that the destination file plays. Remember that file management is not professional video editing, and protected content or unsupported codecs may not preview. Indexed source views are read-only, so you can inspect and copy without modifying the source folder.
Review images with thumbnails and hover preview
For images, use GJ File Manager’s Pictures entry. Open Pictures or authorize a dedicated image folder. For chat images, select the appropriate source and authorize its media directory. Wait for indexing, then browse pages of thumbnails and preview candidates. You can also enable hover preview: pause the pointer over supported files to see a quick preview without opening another app. Review per-type switches and size limits in preview settings, and adjust the delay if previews appear too often. Copy confirmed images into the project before conversion or other work. A source view lists recognized images but cannot promise to decode encrypted chat media or every cache format. If source contents change, use the available refresh action; the running app reuses its loaded index until then.
Copy confirmed files and check the destination
After previewing, copy the selected clips and images into a delivery directory. For videos, copy the clip into the project, then check that the destination file plays. For images, copy confirmed images into the project before conversion or other work. This keeps the review separate from the originals: the source folder remains untouched, and the delivery folder contains only the files you have verified. If you need to delete originals from the source view, do it in Finder—not in a read-only indexed source.
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Written by the GJ File Manager team. Mac workflows; controls may differ on iPad.
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