iMovie Problems since macOS Sierra upgrade

For those struggling with the 'Foggy'/ washed-out issue as I was, I discovered that I was using an old version of iMovie (.9.0.9) and figured updating was worth a shot. So, I downloaded iMovie 10.1.3 and after an initial try, it appear to solve the clip/color issue. HOWEVER . . . it also feels buggy. I went into 'Transitions' and double-clicked the 'cross-dissolve' theme and got the increasingly familiar 'twirling circle of death' and had to Force-Quit. But I'm still learning how to use this update, which is very different in design to iMovie 9. This tutorial is quite helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UviYzKGFm4g

Well. I think everybody, who is still using the "outdated" iMovie version 9.0.9 is aware that there would be a newer iMovie version 10.1.3. But most do this because of a good reason. Version 9.x works completely different than version 10.x. I would rather work with Final Cut Pro 10.3 than with iMovie 10.x. iMovie 10.x is seriously dumbed down. Some features are just not present anymore. My current workflow would just not work with iMovie 10.

So I have decided to "finally" switch to Final Cut Pro 10.3. That is probably what Apple wants. On the long run this is the better solution. But I still would like that Apple issues a fix for this current problem with iMovie 9.x. But seriously, I think they couldn't care less.

Well, no actually, I'm not sure where you get your omniscient genius from, but I for one was delighted to discover I could solve the 'fogging' issue' by simply upgrading to the current version. There was about a 45 minute learning curve to get on top of the different style of the software, but I find it completely suitable for my needs. I'm really stoked that you have made the monumental step up to Final Cut Pro -- it's really awesome and you must really be a top-level editing pro and all the rest of us really are very impressed by and happy for you. Can I subscribe to your Youtube channel? Still, seeing how other plebs were struggling with a solvable problem, it would have been nice if you could have stooped so low just for a second and enlightened us all.

Hi wickerman5, sorry that I made you angry and answer so aggressively.

If you read this thread from 2013 How to uninstall iMovie v.10 and get back to iMovie v.9?

you will realize, that for heavy iMovie 9 users with TB of projects, switching to iMovie 10 can be a big problem. You just cannot organize your projects in the way you could in iMovie 9. I tried it. It does not work for me, so I kept using iMovie 9. And all those years it still worked - so why not.

Also I could not find a way to edit a HD project in 4x3 format directly in iMovie 10 which easily can be done with Final Cut Pro X AND iMovie 9. This is an exotic thing but I need it.

So using the new iMovie is a good solution for many (with a few projects in 16:9) to solve the foggy issue but not for all.

Using Final Cut Pro X might be the only option for some (like for me) - unless Apple releases a fix for the obvious bug in iMovie 9 (or Sierra).

BTW, the step is not really monomental. Final Cut Pro X in the current version 10.3 really looks super easy, clean and flat. It is completely reworked. If you don't need all the bells and whistles just don't use them. I will not use probably 90% of what's possible. But I had a license for years that was unused because iMovie 9 was still all I wanted and needed. Until now...

My experience and workaround.

The problem of foggy overlay is only with (old) iMovie '11 (version 9.0.9 1795) on my Sierra. The iMovie 10.0.4 seems to be OK.

As many of you I also prefer the old iMovie.

I tried to use the "Hard light" video effect. It converts colors to nearly proper ones.

This might be a workaround for the old iMovie.

Hi Jan. Yes - this is a good tip actually. If you are really sarcastic, you could even say, the foggy effect is a feature. Because for some videos, which are too dark, the shifted gamma (is it that?) is a good starting point to have a better result at the end.

I didn't try the filter "Hard light" (good idea) but I could nearly replicate the original look tweaking some general video settings sliders.

I just realized that black stays tinted red and thats not so easy whatever you do.

But yes, for the time being this is probably the best work-around. I bet it is not only me, who is stuck with TONS of old projects in iMovie 9.x. So converting all those to iMovie 10 would be a drama or nearly impossible for me. I rather switch to FCPX 10.3 #finally. But I am NOT talking anybody into that. I just think 10.3 looks finally final - well.

I hate you apple!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a deadline and I couldn't finalize my imovie project because of this idiot Sierra upgrade i made on my computer!!!!! :((((((((((((((((((

Can't test an OSX before you send it out to the public, noobs????

If you need more time what on earth should you build new OSX in every year?

I am really angry now

not working at all, latest update and force quite doesnt solve the problem 😟

THANK YOU, this is actually very helpful to me. I haven't upgraded to OS Sierra and have no intention to. At least your problem isn't in vain. You've helped at least one person. Hope you get what you need fixed. ➕

I know what you mean. Everything is now being dumbed down for tweens and dweebs to share videos of their food awesomely with a flick of their awesome finger.

At least I have saved one soul... 😝

iMovie v9 is better editing software than imovie v10, that's why a lot of us didn't upgrade the newer version.

So, I gonna try downgrade to Yosemite osx tomorrow... I will see if the issue is solved or not, I get you back tomorrow.

Hey guys, keep calm...

Up to the foggy problem I used to use iMovie v9. Now I have tried 10.1.3 version by couple of simple projects and I do not see real disadvantages compare to the v9. Even more, v10 is significantly faster.

I would recommend to taste the new version before you start downgrade.

Nevertheless, this statement does not mean any excuse of the Apple fail.

Sorry, you are not right.

If you update to 10.1.3 the finalised projects appear as exported videos. Can not change transitions, nothing.

And the not finalised projects not update at all, so you have to build up everything from scratch.

The only solution is to downgrade. Apple don't care about this issue for sure.

Now I have to erase the disk to put back the older OSX, that means 2-3 days of installing all of my creative softwares.

I don't wanna say it that in the time of SJ, everything was better, but that is the truth...

This is probably misunderstanding. Just now I have tested to update to v10 both finalized and not finalized projects created in v9. Both of them can be updated and both of them are editable in v10 (10.1.3).

I have hundreds of Gb projects on external HDD-s.

When i click on File/Update Projects and Events I get this error message: iMovie could not find any projects or events to update.

Anyway, I tried it with copying files and projects next to the imovie Library, and thats why i said it not works for me.

But, lets agree on that if somebody can update from imove 9 to 10 without any problem than try to download Sierra (make a safety boot disk) and those who are in the middle of projects, finish them before upgrade to the latest OSX.