What it does
EDL → AAF writes one offline AAF containing the selected tracks. Video and supported mono audio cuts retain their source and record ranges, track numbers, gaps, reel names, clip names and comments. Audio is selected by default. The AAF is generated locally in your browser without uploading or rendering media.
When and why to use it
Use this when you have a CMX-style EDL and the next editorial or conform step accepts AAF. It provides an offline sequence for relinking while keeping the original edit-list timing. An EDL cannot supply media details that were never included in the list.
A practical example
An EDL contains video cuts on V1 and a mono dialogue edit on A1 that extends across a picture cut. Selecting both creates one AAF with their independent edit positions. Each offline source reference covers its declared Source In/Out range; its timecode start matches that range rather than pretending to know the full media file boundaries.
Choose a conversion for your input
The menu groups conversions by the open file’s format: EDL, XML or AAF. Only conversions from that format are enabled. FCP7 XML and FCPXML both use the XML group, with their individual support limits still checked at export. Gray options explain which input to open; guide pages remain available for every direction. Choosing an output or downloading a conversion does not replace the working document. Open the exported file to start working in its new format.
How to use it
- Open an EDL and confirm its playback rate and DF/NDF convention. Choose EDL → AAF under Convert · from EDL.
- Keep the required video and audio tracks selected and name the output AAF. Read any export findings and offline-media notes.
- Choose Preview AAF to inspect the shared result and output plan. Review pending cleaning or timecode changes, then approve and export.
- Import the AAF into the receiving application, relink using the actual media properties and check source/record timing against the original edit.
What to check before a handoff
Only supported hard cuts and gaps are converted. Transitions, speed changes and unsupported channel mappings block export with an explanation. The initial audio writer supports frame-aligned mono sources mapped from source channel 1; EDL AA, A2–A4 and other multichannel layouts need further AAF mapping and remain blocked while selected. EDL does not declare full media durations, media paths, video dimensions or audio sampling properties. Minimal offline sources cover the edited ranges, with generic 1920 × 1080 video and 48 kHz / 24-bit mono audio defaults. These are reference descriptors, not a conversion of the actual media; confirm them when relinking. Source/sequence timing and audio sample positions must be exactly representable. Comments remain text metadata, not grading or effects. Original codecs, embedded media and native project identities are not created. Check a representative export in the receiving application before production use.
Reference & format notes
These guides describe the current EDL Toolbox behavior. For XML format details, see Apple’s FCP7 XML reference and FCPXML documentation. Test the exported list against representative media in your receiving application.