Last updated: Oct 10, 2026 · 10 min read

FDX Handoff & Production Export

Moving scripts between Final Draft, Fountain, PDF, and Inkwell Plot without losing structure — and what to expect on the edges.

What is FDX and why does production still ask for it?

FDX is Final Draft's XML format — the lingua franca many production offices expect. Inkwell imports and exports FDX so you can write in Fountain-native Plot and hand off to coordinators who live in Final Draft.

How do I import a Final Draft script?

Open Plot → Import / Export → Final Draft (.fdx). Inkwell parses scene headings, cues, and dialogue into structured Fountain data. Review import warnings before continuing if metadata cannot map one-to-one.

How do I export for submission or production?

Use the same menu for PDF (reading copies) and FDX (systems). PDF uses industry margins; FDX preserves structure for round-trip. Export after save points so you know which version left the building.

Where do locked scripts and revision colors fit?

Inkwell's full production pipeline connects production-draft locking, the WGA revision-color sequence, locked pagination, frozen A-page labels in PDF export, breakdowns, and delivery handoff. The same structured screenplay and save-point history carry the draft from first lock through each issued revision.

Common questions

Will Fountain break my Final Draft workflow?

No — Fountain is the in-editor source format; FDX is an export/import handoff. You are not trapped in plain text for production.

Does Inkwell support dual dialogue and transitions on import?

Standard Fountain and FDX elements map into Plot. Edge cases surface as import warnings rather than silent drops.