Why does Smooth Operator use source file references?
When you import a video, Smooth Operator does not make a full copy of it by default. Instead, it creates a reference to the original file. This saves storage space, but it also means you need to understand how references work to avoid problems.
How references work
Smooth Operator uses two types of storage:
- Reference-based (preferred): The app stores a security-scoped bookmark pointing to your original video file. The video stays in its original location, and the app accesses it when needed.
- Copy-based (fallback): If a bookmark cannot be created, the app copies the video file into the app's internal storage (~/Documents/videos/).
For Photos library imports, the app stores a Photos asset identifier instead of a bookmark. The video stays in your Photos library.
Why references are used
- Saves storage space. Videos — especially 4K footage — take up a lot of space. Making a copy would double the storage used.
- Faster import. No copying means import is nearly instant.
- Keeps your files where you want them. You can organize your footage in your own folder structure.
What this means for you
Do not move or delete the original file
If you move, rename, or delete the original video file, Smooth Operator will lose access to it. You will see the error:
"The video reference is no longer valid. The file may have been moved or deleted."
To fix this, move the file back to its original location, or re-import the video.
External drives
If your video is on an external drive, the drive must be connected whenever you want to edit or export that project. If the drive is disconnected, the proxy (if available) may let you preview, but you will not be able to export until the drive is reconnected.
Photos library videos
Photos library references work differently. The app re-fetches the video from your Photos library each time it is needed. This is generally reliable, but if you delete the video from Photos or it is not fully downloaded from iCloud, you may see:
"The video could not be found in your Photos library."
What is a proxy?
For referenced videos, Smooth Operator automatically generates a lower-resolution proxy in the background. The proxy is saved in the app's storage and used for editing playback — this makes scrubbing and previewing smooth and fast. The original full-resolution video is only used during export.
When to use copy-based import
If you plan to move or delete the original video file, consider using copy-based import instead. The app falls back to copying automatically if bookmark creation fails. You can also copy the video into a dedicated folder that you will not move.