Missing Theme(s)

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Level 1

79 points

Missing Theme(s)

I created a project in iDVD 7.1.2 (running OSX 10.6.8). I started with a plain theme, tweaked it the way I wanted and saved it as a favorite. Put the whole thing together just fine.

When I open the project again, I get the Missing Theme(s) error that other people have posted about. It supposedly cannot find the favorite I created. When I clicked OK the first couple times, the project opened just like it should, despite the message. I tried deleting the com.apple.iDVD.plist file but that didn't make any difference. But now, 2 days later, I get the message and it won't open correctly. Nothing has changed!

Also, when I open this project, or a new project, the theme I created always shows up in the list. So iDVD is finding it just fine but not connecting it to my project. Every time I do this in iDVD, I have similar problems. It's as if Microsoft wrote the program.

Does anyone have any idea what is wrong with my themes?

Thank you very much.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Feb 5, 2013 9:19 AM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

207,715 points

Feb 5, 2013 1:50 PM in response to Scott Kopp

If you saved the theme so it could be used by all on the computer look in the HD/Users/Shared/iDVD/Favorites folder.

If you didn't have the check box checked to share with all users it will be located in the HD/Home/Library/Application Support/iDVD/Favorites folder.

Wherever it is go into iDVD's Advanced preference pane and add that folder to the Look for my themes in these folders: window.

OT

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Answer 2

Scott Kopp Author

Level 1

79 points

Feb 5, 2013 3:20 PM in response to Old Toad

Thanks for the response.

Unfortunately I did all that and it made no difference. 😢 So right now I'm in the middle of reinstalling from my iLife '11 disk and recreating the files. (Which also means I need to reload the old themes, too.) I deleted all the old files including all .plist files With any luck this will work. But I'm doubtful. I may just recreate the custom theme instead of reinstalling the backup I made of it.

Also, I've noticed in those folders you mentioned that iDVD makes duplicates of all the Theme folders. And it creates a folder called Installed Themes with another copy of them. I don't understand what that's all about.

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Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

207,715 points

Feb 5, 2013 3:39 PM in response to Scott Kopp

I don't understand what that's all about.

Neither do I. Now that iDVD is no longer supported how it behaves in Lion and Mt. Lion is a big confusing as far as where stuff is stored. It used to be all in the User library but at one time switchecd to the HD/Library. So I just make sure I have both areas covered.

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Answer 4

Scott Kopp Author

Level 1

79 points

Feb 5, 2013 4:12 PM in response to Old Toad

Swell.

And now I'm having trouble getting the old themes back. I see several posts from people with the same problem. I used to have them installed so I know it can be done. I need to get iDVD to recognize them before I can get back to my original issue. I feel like I'm working on a Windows machine. 😠

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Answer 5

Old Toad

Level 10

207,715 points

Feb 5, 2013 4:23 PM in response to Scott Kopp

Unfortunatgely iLife 11 only provides iDVD 5-7 themes. The Software Update no longer installs the earlier themes nor do any of the iDVD 7 updaters available from the Apple Downloads website contain them.

Currently the only sure fire way to get all themes is to start with the iLife 09 disc:

This shows the iDVD contents in the iLife 09 disc via Pacifist:

You then can upgrade from iDVD 7.0.3 to iDVD 7.1.2 via the updaters at the Apple Downloads webpage.

However, if the older themes are already present in the iDVD folder in the library there should be a way to get them liked to the application. I've not run across a solution that works for everyone except the above.

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Answer 6

Scott Kopp Author

Level 1

79 points

Feb 5, 2013 5:56 PM in response to Scott Kopp

I successfully restored my theme folders from a Time Machine backup. Then I did a fresh install from iLife. I opened iDVD and it found all of the old themes.

Whew!

So I'm back to where I was. Now I think I'll recreate the theme and try saving it fresh. Thanks for your information.

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Answer 7

Old Toad

Level 10

207,715 points

Feb 6, 2013 10:22 AM in response to Scott Kopp

I successfully restored my theme folders from a Time Machine backup. Then I did a fresh install from iLife. I opened iDVD and it found all of the old themes.

The reinstall of iDVD from iLife seemed to do the trick of linking the themes to iDVD. Thanks for the feedback.

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Answer 8

Scott Kopp Author

Level 1

79 points

Feb 8, 2013 1:51 PM in response to Scott Kopp

I can't believe how bad this program is. I have to fight with it every time I open it.

Now that I have everything reinstalled, I created a new favorite and used it in a new project. When I quit and reopen I get the same error message that it can't find the theme and will substitute the default "Revolution". Then it opens anyway and seems to work.

But when I look in the Project Info window, the media section lists the parts that are supposed to be there, AND all the parts for the "Revolution" theme!! No doubt that will screw things up for me because it's probably going to process that even though it's not used. And there's no way to delete those media elements.

What can I do? Why can't it find the theme? I even added the folder location for where the Favorite is.

The iLife Suite is supposed to be so simple for people to use. It's far from that. How can Apple create something this bad?

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Answer 9

Scott Kopp Author

Level 1

79 points

Feb 8, 2013 2:19 PM in response to Scott Kopp

UNBELIEVABLE!

Now I open the project that opened correctly even with the error message, and it no longer opens correctly.

Now it substitutes the default theme. It's as if the file has been changed even though I didn't save.

I am so furious with Apple right now. 😠

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