Motion 4 file import is broken

Question

Motion 4 file import is broken

For the last week or so, it's been impossible to import anything into a Motion 4 project. Whether you use the "import" button or drag and drop, Motion will hang indefinitely. If you layer up all your assets in the FCP timeline and then used "send to Motion", that works, but if you try and import anything while you're in the Motion project, it will just hang.

I trashed the prefs, didn't fix it. I removed and reinstalled Motion, didn't fix it. I removed and reinstalled the entire FCS suite, didn't fix it.

Since reinstalling FCS didn't help, I can only assume that the most recent security update for 10.6.8 broke something, since that was the last thing I changed on my Mac before the import function stopped working. Anybody else have any insight?

Motion 4, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jul 8, 2013 10:10 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 8, 2013 10:43 AM in response to Gareth Randall2

How did you delete preferences? Best method is to use Digital Rebellion's preference manager. It makes sure you delete all the necessary files and also allows you to backup your preferences.

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2491

I'm working with OS 10.6.8 without any Motion issues.

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Answer 2

Jul 8, 2013 12:07 PM in response to Michael Grenadier

Yes, I used Preference Manager to delete the prefs. I also used FCS Remover to remove the entire suite before reinstalling.

Just in case you've misunderstood me, I've been using Motion 4 quite happily with 10.6.8 for years. It started hanging on import after I installed the most recent security update (2013-003).

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Answer 3

Jul 8, 2013 1:45 PM in response to Gareth Randall2

Have you tried repairing permissions?

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Answer 4

Jul 9, 2013 2:21 AM in response to Michael Grenadier

Yes. No difference, sadly.

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Answer 5

Jul 9, 2013 8:12 AM in response to Gareth Randall2

is everything coming off the same drive? Might try importing from a different drive.

Try creating a new account (system preferences: accounts) with admin privileges and log into that account and see if that makes a difference.

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Answer 6

Jul 10, 2013 12:29 AM in response to Michael Grenadier

I've already tried importing things from different drives. Still no difference. I'll try the new account thing though.

EDIT - working from a new account didn't fix it either. I think my only option now is to reinstall OSX and *not* install the 2013-003 security update. Well, that or buy Motion 5, which I don't want to have to do, since I'd have to learn the new interface and it doesn't really offer me anything I'd actually use over and above Motion 4.

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Answer 7

Jul 10, 2013 9:00 AM in response to Gareth Randall2

well if you have to do the reinstall thing, here's a user tip on best practices

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2861

Once you've got things working again, I'd suggest you create a bootable "clone" of your startup drive, so you can quickly restore your startup drive from the clone if things go south.

Wait, how did you uninstall the fcp suite? The best way is to use Digital Rebellion's uninstaller. It's free

http://www.digitalrebellion.com/fcsremover/

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Answer 8

Jul 10, 2013 2:01 PM in response to Michael Grenadier

also, just re-read your original post. Did you try and add files to a project that you had originally sent from fcp? If so, maybe try creating a new project and see if you can import files then.

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Answer 9

Jul 10, 2013 2:06 PM in response to Michael Grenadier

I already knew about FCS Remover and I used it to uninstall FCS. And Motion hangs whether you try to import to a new project or one sent from FCP.

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Answer 10

Jul 10, 2013 2:16 PM in response to Gareth Randall2

just checking, but have you tried using the file: import dialog?

Have you tried working with a different project preset?

When you use the file browser, and navigate to a quicktime, does it play in the file browser window?

Have you tried zapping p-ram? (a long shot I know, but....)

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Answer 11

Jul 12, 2013 3:47 AM in response to Michael Grenadier

The computer is at work, and I'm not there for the next couple of days. I've just discovered that my Mac at home (which is also on 10.6.8) hasn't had the suspect security update applied yet, and Motion is still working normally, so I'll run a backup and then apply the update to see if that is definitely the culprit.

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Answer 12

Jul 13, 2013 9:49 PM in response to Michael Grenadier

OK, progress!

Using File>Import *does* work, and QTs *do* play in the file browser window.

After applying security update 2013-003 to my machine at home, Motion still works normally.

But still no obvious explanation as to why the "import" button and drag-and-drop import both cause Motion to hang on my work machine.

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