A project file is not all the footage
The .meridian archive stores the project’s editing data, sequences, history, and saved-version information. Original movies, photos, music, and some associated resources remain separate files. Saving a project protects editing decisions; it does not automatically back up every source.
There are three useful storage choices: link to existing originals, copy originals during import, or collect a portable handoff after editing. They solve different needs.
Link originals on Mac
With Copy imported media beside the project off, import references originals at their current locations. This avoids an additional source copy, but the drive, folder, and file must remain accessible. Keep external drives mounted during editing and export.
Moving or renaming linked footage outside Meridian can make it offline. Use media relinking to repair the reference. Do not replace the only original while trying a conversion; keep an alternative copy and verify its timing.
Copy at import
Mac: Copy into project in the Import Media sheet is the choice remembered in Settings → Import → Copy imported media beside the project. With it on, originals are copied into ManagedMedia beside the saved project. Changing the setting affects later imports, not existing media or an import already running.
iPhone/iPad: Photos and Files imports are copied into managed storage for the local project. Opening an external project also creates an app-owned working copy. That copy is not an automatic live connection to the picked project in a cloud provider.
Allow space for copied originals as well as exports and derived media. “Copied” means a working copy exists; keep a separate backup if you need protection from deletion, device loss, or storage failure.
Collect for a handoff
Mac: choose File → Project Media → Collect Media into a Project Folder… (⌥⌘K). iPhone/iPad: open Share Portable Project, tap Collect Project and Media, then Share Portable Project when ready.
Collection gathers required media and associated project resources into an inspectable folder. The portable path considers current edits, inactive sequences, Undo/Redo history, and saved versions so earlier content can still be recovered. Resolve missing media before retrying a refused collection.
Keep the folder structure intact. On iOS, share the produced archive, expand it at the destination, and select the enclosing project folder through Open from Files. Sending only the archive’s .meridian file leaves relative media behind.
Originals, proxies, and output
Proxies and optimized representations are derived source copies for working performance. They are different from the original and from a finished movie. Playback representation and export source policy are independent choices.
An original-media export checks originals even if proxy playback works. A project that previews normally can still fail collection or original-quality export if its originals are missing. Review proxies, missing media, and cross-platform transfer before moving a long project.