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I cannot import PNG files into iMovie

I guess that there was an update to iMovie (or maybe the MacOS) in the last day or so, and I cannot import (or drag/drop) png files into my project. I could before.


According the update notes, PNG files are *ON* the compatibility list. How can I continue to use PNG files in iMovie?

MacBook

Posted on Aug 27, 2020 7:35 AM

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Posted on Aug 27, 2020 1:59 PM

Just had exactly the same issue & spoke with Apple support.

It is a problem with the iMovie Library itself. In iMovie, go to File > Open Library > New...

Create the new library, copy over the project you were working on, and you will once more be able to import .PNGs.

No clue what the issue actually is with the library, or what caused it to happen.

But this resolved my issue. I hope it resolves yours as well!

-Austin


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Question marked as Best reply

Aug 27, 2020 1:59 PM in response to CharlesMandrell

Just had exactly the same issue & spoke with Apple support.

It is a problem with the iMovie Library itself. In iMovie, go to File > Open Library > New...

Create the new library, copy over the project you were working on, and you will once more be able to import .PNGs.

No clue what the issue actually is with the library, or what caused it to happen.

But this resolved my issue. I hope it resolves yours as well!

-Austin


Aug 27, 2020 11:04 AM in response to Rich839

Here are some additional procedures to try:


Safe

Mode


You could also try booting up in Safe

Mode (see Finder menu for instructions) and, after everything loads,

immediately shut down and reboot in normal mode. Then see if iMovie works

properly.


Resetting

the System Management Controller


Try resetting the System Management

Controller:


https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295


 Resetting the NVRAM or PRAM


Try resetting the NVRAM or PRAM,

although this issue would be fairly rare:


https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063


-- Rich

Aug 27, 2020 8:22 AM in response to CharlesMandrell

Hi, Charles,


Sometimes import problems can be cured by deleting preferences. Try opening iMovie while holding down the

Option and Command keys and selecting to delete preferences in the box that appears. iMovie will open in a new library. Reopen your old library to get back to your projects. Now see if you can import .png files.


If deleting preferences doesn't solve it, try redownloading iMovie. To update/redownload iMovie 10, drag your iMovie 10 app from the Applications folder into the trash, but do not empty the trash. Sign in to the app store and open your purchases folder by clicking on your name at the bottom of the app store side bar.   You will see your purchases displayed, including iMovie 10. Redownload/update iMovie from there. If not successful, drag your present iMovie app out of the trash and return it to the Applications folder.


-- Rich

Aug 27, 2020 9:47 AM in response to CharlesMandrell

You didn't mention where you got your .png files. Try taking a screen shot, that will appear on your desktop as a .png. Then see if you can drag it into the timeline of an iMovie project.


There have been some reports of odd glitches following the recent update to iMovie 10.1.15. Possibly the import issue is a glitch related to the update. If so, we will need to wait for Apple to fix it.


-- Rich

I cannot import PNG files into iMovie

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