I'll sign up for Skype now, or I have AIM already if you prefer.

Either or would work, I'll sign up for Skype now anyway though and pm you the information.

Right we get that. The thing that I am most concerned about is whether or not it saved to a Windows compatible format. Since it isn't working on your Quicktime, it could be a compatability issue.

Just to be sure your prof. is also on a Mac, correct?

As Crush and I are talking about this. It occurred to him that RarMachine or another zip program, could be downloaded by your friend onto his laptop, with the version of the movie you are certain works; that will allow the file to be downsized, uploaded to your professor's site. Then your professor would simply extract the contents onto his computer.

LGW

I pm'd you the skype information.

That would work, however my prof requires that it be uploaded in the .mov format, so I couldn't compress it into a .rar or .zip.

All,

This is the Skype conversation Sean, LGW and I had trying to resolve this issue:

In reality this stands as resolved however, if anyone has an actual resolution by all means chime in


[6/7/2009 11:37:00 PM] Sean: is this text or audio?
[6/7/2009 11:37:05 PM] LGW: Hey Sean, sorry didn't mean to call as well
[6/7/2009 11:37:08 PM] Sean: haha
[6/7/2009 11:37:16 PM] LGW: It's better if we keep it text for the thread
[6/7/2009 11:37:19 PM] Crush: Hey Sean
[6/7/2009 11:37:24 PM] Sean: hey crush
[6/7/2009 11:38:04 PM] LGW: OK, so I don't know if you saw my last post on the thread, but we are concerned about your version of the movie being saved in a MAC format instead of a Windows format.
[6/7/2009 11:38:33 PM] Sean: okay, hold on a second i'm going to go nextdoor and grab my friend's macbook...dorms so will be quick lol
[6/7/2009 11:38:36 PM] LGW: Also that changing it over again for your Prof could be problematic. Have you done this before?
[6/7/2009 11:38:41 PM] LGW: Awsome
[6/7/2009 11:41:05 PM] Sean: okay back sorry
[6/7/2009 11:41:15 PM] LGW: No worries at all
[6/7/2009 11:41:31 PM] LGW: so what envirionment is your Prof in?
[6/7/2009 11:41:37 PM] LGW: MAC or Windows?
[6/7/2009 11:41:57 PM] Sean: not sure, i believe she works in windows for the university
[6/7/2009 11:42:02 PM] Sean: but mac for personal
[6/7/2009 11:42:07 PM] Sean: so most likely windows
[6/7/2009 11:42:13 PM] LGW: OK, so either way she's good, basically
[6/7/2009 11:42:16 PM] Sean: yeah
[6/7/2009 11:42:47 PM] LGW: OK, so if we can't get it switched over, you can zip the file using this rarmachine download from Compression category, and upload it for her MAC
[6/7/2009 11:43:09 PM] Sean: well the thing about that is, is that i have to upload it in the .mov format
[6/7/2009 11:43:15 PM] Sean: she wont take a .rar or .zip
[6/7/2009 11:43:28 PM] LGW: OK, then here
[6/7/2009 11:43:33 PM] LGW: s what we have to do
[6/7/2009 11:43:39 PM] LGW: Go back to your friend
[6/7/2009 11:43:41 PM] LGW: s
[6/7/2009 11:43:45 PM] LGW: MAC
[6/7/2009 11:43:46 PM] Sean: i have his mac with me
[6/7/2009 11:44:02 PM] LGW: perfect
[6/7/2009 11:44:35 PM] LGW: go to your movie, and see if saving the file for a Windows envirionment is an option in FrameThief
[6/7/2009 11:45:20 PM] Sean: framethief is a mac-only program, and the only real export option is animation->quicktime movie
[6/7/2009 11:45:51 PM] LGW: framethief also has a Windows version, that's why I was hoping for an option to save for Windows
[6/7/2009 11:46:21 PM] Sean: does it really have a windows version?? that would have saved me so much trouble if I knew that when I made the animation lol
[6/7/2009 11:46:37 PM] LGW: Yes, it does
[6/7/2009 11:46:41 PM] Sean: let me open it up and see what i can do
[6/7/2009 11:46:45 PM] LGW: Sorry OK
[6/7/2009 11:46:47 PM] Sean: now you're talking about saving rather than exporting?
[6/7/2009 11:47:07 PM] LGW: right, just for the first step, that might actually make it more stable
[6/7/2009 11:47:43 PM] Sean: okay, opening it now
[6/7/2009 11:50:06 PM] Sean: okay, sorry hold on a second, i have to delete about 30 frames that got added to the end of this after i exported it
[6/7/2009 11:50:21 PM] LGW: LOL, np
[6/7/2009 11:51:49 PM] Sean: okay
[6/7/2009 11:52:01 PM] LGW: So what did you save it for?
[6/7/2009 11:52:13 PM] LGW: as? sorry
[6/7/2009 11:52:35 PM] Sean: it only gives me an option to alter the file name, not type though...
[6/7/2009 11:52:48 PM] Sean: i don't know macs so i may be overlooking something obvious, forgive me if i am
[6/7/2009 11:53:20 PM] LGW: No worries, I am going to have to defer to Crush on MAC, I'm a PC
[6/7/2009 11:53:27 PM] Sean: ok
[6/7/2009 11:54:44 PM] LGW: Sean, I needed to clarify, I read too fast, the information was not referring to a FrameThief made for Windows, but included it in Animation software including those that work on PCs
[6/7/2009 11:55:12 PM] Sean: ah
[6/7/2009 11:55:32 PM] Sean: so what does that mean for me exactly?
[6/7/2009 11:56:08 PM] LGW: We are trying to figure out the best way to port this so your PC can read it.
[6/7/2009 11:56:17 PM] Sean: okay
[6/7/2009 11:56:20 PM] Crush: Sean, what format does it save your movie in?
[6/7/2009 11:56:25 PM] Sean: .mov
[6/7/2009 11:56:29 PM] Sean: when i export it
[6/7/2009 11:56:31 PM] Sean: when i save it
[6/7/2009 11:56:42 PM] Sean: it's a framethief file...let me see what it's called
[6/7/2009 11:57:39 PM] Sean: yeah under the file info for the saved file it just says "FrameThief Project" under kind
[6/7/2009 11:58:02 PM] LGW: I HATE APPLE! Grrrr
[6/7/2009 11:58:12 PM] Crush: (rofl)
[6/7/2009 11:58:16 PM] Sean: i was about to make that facebook status lol
[6/7/2009 11:59:06 PM] LGW: I found this article about different animation programs, this may have an answer for us, let me read it, you two see if you can figure out how MACs work
[6/7/2009 11:59:24 PM] Sean: lol
[6/7/2009 11:59:59 PM] Sean: maybe
[12:00:14 AM] Sean: would it make a difference if i compressed it into a .zip file on the mac, and then transferred the .zip to my pc?
[12:00:19 AM] Sean: or would it end up being the same thing
[12:01:02 AM] Crush: If we can find a program to convert the file into something playable on a windows environment then yes, that is an idea
[12:01:34 AM] Crush: But if we did it as of now, it would just end up being a .rar file with an unplayable file
[12:02:39 AM] Sean: when i initially had this problem, i was googling around to see if anyone else had the same problems, and I read that it may have to do with the codec, which i know nothing about
[12:03:05 AM] Sean: would it hlep you guys if you knew what kind of errors i'm getting on the pc end of it?
[12:03:35 AM] Crush: Sure
[12:04:00 AM] Sean: quicktime says this when i try to open it with quicktime:
[12:04:23 AM] Sean: error -2048: Couldn't open the file SeansAnimation.mov because it is not a file that QuickTime understands.
[12:05:34 AM] Sean: and under the vlc playlist, it lists the .mov file as having a 00:00:00 duration, when it's actually 25 seconds long
[12:05:50 AM] Crush: I think I have an idea. When the file is exported, it's just a quicktime file, correct? An .mov file? If that's the case, I think we can just convert the file into something playable on a Windows based PC.
[12:06:20 AM] Crush: Actually export it, so it SHOULD play on the Windows PC but convert it to avoid the quicktime errors
[12:06:40 AM] Sean: what should i convert it to? .avi? .wma?
[12:07:11 AM] Crush: I found this program: Audio Video Convert - convert files to DVD, iPod, MP4, Zune, Zen and many more devices

which will allow you to convert it to just about anything
[12:07:13 AM] Sean: and how do i convert a .mov file on a mac?
[12:07:33 AM] Sean: okay, would it work the same if i did that on the pc? or should i do it on the mac
[12:07:41 AM] LGW: We are researching
[12:07:45 AM] Sean: okay
[12:08:32 AM] LGW: Sean, have you tried opening the .mov file in AE?
[12:08:50 AM] Sean: i've tried importing it
[12:09:07 AM] LGW: No just opening it
[12:09:16 AM] Sean: let me try now, don't remember if i did earlier
[12:09:19 AM] LGW: OK
[12:10:21 AM] Sean: nope doesn't work
[12:10:32 AM] Sean: i tried to open it, but the error message said it can't import .mov files
[12:10:51 AM] LGW: OK, which is silly because it does.
[12:11:14 AM] Sean: yeah lol
[12:12:14 AM] LGW: Sean, definitely try the audiovideo converter that Crush found
[12:12:20 AM] LGW: A few lines back
[12:12:45 AM] Sean: i looked into it, but doesn't it cost 29.99?
[12:12:55 AM] Crush: It should be free to try
[12:12:56 AM] LGW: free trial
[12:12:59 AM] Sean: cool
[12:13:07 AM] Sean: downloading now then
[12:13:13 AM] LGW: right on, brb
[12:13:21 AM] Sean: k
[12:13:57 AM] Crush: I'm really crossing my fingers on this one Sean
[12:14:08 AM] Sean: thanks i am too lol
[12:14:10 AM] Crush: The theory seems sound in my mind
[12:14:39 AM] Sean: i appreciate the help, from both of you!
[12:14:48 AM] LGW: that's what we're here for!
[12:14:50 AM] Crush: That's what we're here for
[12:14:54 AM] Sean: hahaha jinx
[12:14:54 AM] LGW: LOL
[12:15:01 AM] Sean: :P
[12:15:02 AM] LGW: he owes me a coke
[12:15:04 AM] LGW: LOL
[12:15:19 AM] Crush: *glaring menacingly in LGW's direction*
[12:15:33 AM] LGW: (envy) Green face rules
[12:16:10 AM] Sean: okay running the program now
[12:16:17 AM] LGW: Super
[12:16:27 AM] Sean: er installing
[12:16:41 AM] LGW: no worries
[12:16:45 AM] Crush: Yayyy
[12:16:54 AM] LGW: (^)
[12:17:13 AM] Sean: what do you recommend i convert it to?
[12:17:28 AM] Sean: uh oh
[12:17:36 AM] Crush: Oh no
[12:17:39 AM] Sean: lol
[12:17:40 AM] Crush: I dont like that word
[12:17:41 AM] LGW: why uh oh
[12:18:03 AM] Sean: i tried to open the file in the converter, as the file to be converted
[12:18:10 AM] LGW: yes...
[12:18:17 AM] Sean: and it said that it failed to load
[12:18:18 AM] Sean: ...
[12:18:19 AM] Sean: =/
[12:18:38 AM] LGW: OK, then we have to find one that can do it on the MAC
[12:18:51 AM] Sean: okay
[12:20:03 AM] LGW: Best free Mac Video Converter - free download Video Converter for Mac
[12:20:06 AM] LGW: Try this
[12:20:13 AM] Sean: okay
[12:20:14 AM] LGW: on your friends MAC
[12:20:32 AM] Sean: i'll brb, i have to go grab the ethernet cord for the mac
[12:20:35 AM] LGW: save it as an AVI, that should work with AE
[12:20:39 AM] LGW: OK
[12:20:40 AM] Sean: k
[12:25:10 AM] Sean: ok back sorry for the wait
[12:25:22 AM] Crush: Not a problem
[12:25:32 AM] LGW: no worries, we really want you to have this work, a final is a big deal
[12:25:43 AM] Sean: haha thanks
[12:26:14 AM] LGW: I will get to MOM at you a little bit tho, I hope that this is the last final you wait to test until the night before, it will make your life a good deal easier if you don't keep doing that.
[12:26:56 AM] Sean: haha thanks, it was a short project and i did well on it so i'm not worried about the procrastinating that much
[12:27:08 AM] LGW: ROFL
[12:27:13 AM] Crush: Spoken like a true college student
[12:27:27 AM] Sean:
[12:27:56 AM] Sean: okay running the program on the mac now, i'll let you guys know how it goes as i go along
[12:28:03 AM] LGW: Sounds great
[12:28:09 AM] LGW: brb
[12:28:33 AM] Sean: ugh
[12:28:35 AM] Sean: on the mac
[12:28:38 AM] Sean: when i added the .mov file
[12:28:42 AM] Crush: What happened?
[12:28:45 AM] Sean: it said "this isn't a valid video!"
[12:28:51 AM] Sean: even though it plays on quicktime on the mac
[12:29:34 AM] Crush: How about the uunexported version? As in, the FrameTheif file
[12:29:42 AM] Sean: i'll try it
[12:29:51 AM] Sean: eh, it doesn't even let me select it
[12:29:58 AM] Sean: what i think im going to do
[12:30:11 AM] Sean: is find a dvd-r disc and just burn the movie to that..
[12:30:24 AM] Sean: i dont want to take up your guys' entire night! :P
[12:30:42 AM] Crush: Will the prof accept it that way?
[12:31:05 AM] Sean: yeah, if not i'll email her explaining my troubles and i'm sure it'll get worked out somehow
[12:31:12 AM] Sean: i appreciate your guys' help a lot though!
[12:31:23 AM] Crush: Let's save that as a last resort
[12:31:31 AM] Crush: I KNOW there's a solution out there somewhere
[12:31:39 AM] Crush: and we're gonna find it
[12:31:51 AM] Sean: haha if you insist
[12:32:13 AM] Sean: so what now then?
[12:32:25 AM] Crush: Hmmm
[12:32:49 AM] Sean: these are the export options in framethief
[12:32:56 AM] Sean: animation to quicktime movie
[12:33:01 AM] Sean: image sequence to quicktime movie
[12:33:09 AM] Sean: and quicktime movie to dv stream
[12:33:40 AM] Crush: Animation to Quicktime Movie is what we need
[12:33:50 AM] Crush: Seems like the most relevant option
[12:34:03 AM] Sean: that's what i did initially yeah
[12:34:17 AM] Crush: A question though, does the frametheif file play in Quicktime?
[12:34:33 AM] Sean: nope
[12:34:43 AM] Sean: only when exported
[12:35:03 AM] Sean: kind of similar to AE in the sense where AE projects have to be rendered before they play in quicktime, for example
[12:35:57 AM] Crush: Okay. With that info I am leaning towards it being an issue of compatability. I think what that export option is doing is allowing it to play in quicktime on the mac rather than the PC
[12:36:36 AM] Sean: that makes sense, i guess burning it to a dvd is my only option then ?
[12:36:43 AM] Crush: Although I wouldn't imagine .mov files would be too different when crossing platforms
[12:37:05 AM] Crush: But different enough that .mov files rendered for mac arent playable in a Windows environment
[12:37:16 AM] Sean: yeah
[12:37:31 AM] Sean: okay well i'll go look for some dvd-r discs
[12:37:45 AM] Sean: i'll post in the thread at resolution to let you guys know how things ended up
[12:38:15 AM] Sean: thanks again for the help, and you'll hear from me soon...bye for now
[12:38:37 AM] Crush: Alright. Glad we could be of at least some help to you Sean
[12:38:53 AM] LGW: Sorry Sean,
[12:39:23 AM] LGW: I will transfer this conversation back to your thread, so if there is an answer we can still be workinig on it, in case this comes up again.
[12:39:40 AM] LGW: I certainly hope that we will see more of you and your friends in the forum.
[12:39:50 AM] LGW: TTFN

LGW

An update for Crush and LGW:

Burned the .mov file to a DVD+R disc, but there was an error in the verification...go figure.

So the DVD would only play the first few seconds, lag for about 20 seconds, and then play the last couple seconds of the animation.

I ended up just emailing my professor explaining everything, and she's understanding so I'm sure we'll work something out. I would keep trying but I'm honestly too tired and too drunk.

I appreciate all the help though, sincerely.

You are most welcome Sean,

We however, are still interested in finding a fix. It's possible that your film has a glitch, but there should still be a way to consistently and reasonably simply transfer files so that they can be read or watched from one OS to the other.

Your Professor is a real mensch for understanding your problem, and if she has any doubts, you can link her to this thread. LOL. As I mentioned before, we hope to see you and your friends in the forum.

TTFN

LGW

Isnt MOV a container? and depends what method you used to compress it, you will need that kind of codec to play it(such as H.264, divx....) So i think your problem is the lack of codec in your window pc, as it is common for most window pc to contain very little codecs. Maybe this codec will work mov codec - download tag - Softpedia