How to retrieve iMovie11 project from trash

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How to retrieve iMovie11 project from trash

I was burning an hour and 15 min video and picture project directly to DVD. It said "not enough space" so I was deleting another project. With the system running so slow, I must have tried to move the unwanted project twice and the next thing I know both projects are in the trash. I thought I could simply drag the wanted project back into iMovie but it didnt work. I eventually dragged it into my MacHD where it sits now as a "temorary file". I have since tried a few things - tried importing an HD movie into iMovie from my MacHD, but it only recognizes the temporary folder - the file is there too but pale and not actionable. I have gone into my Time Machine and picked a time when I know the project was in iMovie and restored the entire iMovie file but the project still doesnt show up after I do that. I also was able to drag the temporary file onto my desktop where i can see it w the corner turned back like a piece of paper would be - I dragged that into iphoto and it imported it but only as one photo. Not sure what to do next.

I am no expert so I am not exactly sure I am doing these things right but I think I am. I have a Mac OSX 10.6.8 w two external hardrives.

Thank you

iMovie '11, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jan 28, 2013 4:59 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 28, 2013 5:21 AM in response to iMoiveFan

If your project is still intact, move it to the /Movies/iMovie Projects/ folder and restart iMovie.

If the Project is still in the trash, you can right-click on the Project and select "Put Back".

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Answer 2

iMoiveFan Author

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Jan 28, 2013 5:40 AM in response to AppleMan1958

Thanks but can you be as specific as possible so I dont screw this up. Where do I find /movies/imovie projects and do i drag it or import it? How? When you say intact, I havent removed or deleted any of the events.

I made a copy of the original file so if i mess up the one I am playing with I still have it. Do you want me to try to place the original back in trash and then "put back"? I added to my tool bar and used the delete button since someone said it would go back to where it is suppose to be but that didnt work - it just went back to my MacHD.

How do you right click w Mac? Sorry about having to ask that question....:)

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Answer 3

Jan 28, 2013 6:03 AM in response to iMoiveFan

You can find Movies/iMovie Projects in the Finder. On my Mac, the Movies folder is visible in the sidebar of the Finder. Like this.

The iMovie Projects folder is inside the movies folder.

If you don't have the Movies folder in your sidebar, look in the Folder that has your User Name as its title. The Movies folder should be in there.

You would drag your iMovie Project into the Movies/iMovie Projects folder.

I would not recommend putting the original back in the trash at this point.

To right-click with a Mac...

1) If you have an Apple Mouse, you simply right click. If your mouse does not right-click you can go to System Preferences/Mouse/ and set it up.

2) If you have a Magic Trackpad, a two finger click is the same as a right click. Just tap with two fingers to right-click.

3) If you have a one button mouse, you can right-click by holding down the Control key as you click.

Sorry for not being precise. Let me know if you have any more questions.

There should be a file with your project name and with the extension .rcproject. That is the one you want to drag to the Movies\iMovie Projects folder.

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Answer 4

iMoiveFan Author

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Feb 2, 2013 6:27 AM in response to AppleMan1958

I wanted to let you know that I just returned from a week of travel and applied your recommendations and they worked! Wow - what a load off my mind!!!!

Now, this problem started when I was trying to burn a DVD of an imovie I made that runs for an hour and 15 mins. It said there wasnt enough space to burn the project or something like that. Where do I find how much space I have available, where the large blocks are that I can delete to open up space so I can burn this DVD? There seems to be a ton of files that came w the computer that I dont and will never use.

Thanks

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Answer 5

iMoiveFan Author

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Feb 2, 2013 8:14 AM in response to iMoiveFan

Also, I have two external hard drives - one i use as a back up w time machine and the other for movies and pics and stuff i wanted to get off my mac hd. i have plenty of room there.

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Answer 6

Feb 2, 2013 8:49 AM in response to iMoiveFan

Your message that you received could be that you ran out of room on the DVD. Or it could be that you ran our of room on your hard drive.

Space on a DVD is determined by the length of the movie, plus some space needed for the menus.

Which settings did you use for your iDVD?

Also, how much space is left on your internal disk drive?

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Answer 7

iMoiveFan Author

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Feb 2, 2013 9:34 AM in response to AppleMan1958

The DVD is 16x 4.7GB 120 Minutes. DVD+R

I think it is the HD. How do I find out how much is left on my internal disk drive? And how big the movie is?

Thanks

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Answer 8

iMoiveFan Author

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Feb 2, 2013 11:32 AM in response to iMoiveFan

I am not sure what you mean by what settings did I use for iDVD. How do i determine that? I went the Share, iDVD and it started to process. I think....

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