After Effects missing data in file (33:4) error in 2023

[duhdoys]

I was editing last night, saved, and when I tried to open the project again today it showed the After Effects missing data in file (33:4) error even though I know for a fact that nothing is missing. I searched online, and apparently this just happens whenever you save after using the roto brush and the only way to re-access your project is to download an older version and open it on there. But after effects is no longer is allowing downloads of any version previous to v22.0 (the version I have.) I'm seriously considering pirating an older version just to fix this, so give me advice before I probably end up with a virus. I also have no autosaved back ups of the project either.

[Legacy Bank 100]

After spending hours and hours for this client and being nearly finished with their advertisement, I too am having this error and the size of my file is exactly the same. I'm on Windows 10 using the latest version of AE today. I tried the oldest version of AE on Adobe Cloud and found that the problem persisted. I renamed that file and also moved it to another folder and drive, again to no avail.

I just want my hours of work back and I don't have a solution for how to resolve this evil 33::4 error. If someone from Adobe could assist that would be awesome. The software just isn't dependable and it's sad cause I like Adobe, but last days of work over this. I need a serious program that doesn't have all these bugs. If someone has some alternative options, I'll be willing to learn and pay because this is for the birds. BTW, When you have the Adobe Cloud you can download older versions and I went from the latest to 22.0, but that troubleshooting strategy didn't work for me. I've tried everything I could find on google and youtube to resolve this issue but it's either not relevant to the latest version or simply didn't work. 😞

[JohnColombo]

Hi @duhdoys & @Legacy Bank 100,

Thank you both for reporting this issue, and for your patience with our response. We're very sorry to hear that this error happened with both of your projects. We consistently strive to avoid issues like this with your projects.

Are either of you able to successfully import your erroring project into a new one, as you would with footage? And would you be open to sharing these erroring project files with us? We can't promise any recovery, unfortunately, but our team can take a look to try and see what is going wrong.

@duhdoys The Roto Brush was fixed well before the current version, so I would be surprised if that is the same issue. That said, were you using Roto Brush in the erroring project?

Also, were either of you storing the project files in a cloud-synced location with Dropbox, Google Drive, etc? This could have affected the projects as well.

Thanks for reporting this issue and for any further information you can provide, 

- John, After Effects Engineering Team 

[Lizelle5CF1]

I am also having the same problem. My auto-saves were also not there to fall back on, which is very strange. I also save after every 2 actions because I have burned my fingers before on a project. My AE file crashed just after I did something and saved it to carry on in Premiere and now I am receiving the same error. How I have no autosave I do not know. I have already tried importing the project into a new one and same error. I could only roll back to AE 2022 and that also did not work. Please assist ASAP. I have also cleared the database and cache to see if that was the problem. I moved the files to force a re-link and it also did not work. About a day and a half of work is in this project with no autosave to fall back on for some really odd reason.

[Legacy Bank 100]

Thank you for the response, but it's been 2 months. I'm no longer working on that project and deleted the corrupted file. It was for a job, so I needed help then and have no need for help 2 months afterward.  In 2023, things move so fast and solutions within a week are appreciated. This however isn't really helpful. But thanks for the reply. I think if someone else runs into this issue and someone jumps on the problem quickly, I'd feel like someone really cared here.

[SocialVideoStudios.com]

I'm having the same issue. What's going on? I was about to deliver the project, and it won't open with the same error. I'm running aftereffects 2024. Is there no way to fix this? 

After Effects Error: missing data in file. (33::4)

[nishu_kush]

Hi @SocialVideoStudios.com,

Do you mind sharing details about your project? Which effects did you use? Were there any Cinema 4D files or Cinema 4D renderer in use? Was this project created in the 2024 version or a previous version of After Effects? Also, what's the exact version of After Effects you're using?

Thanks,

Nishu

[nishu_kush]

I'll move your post to the Discussions board while we await your information.

Thanks,

Nishu

[Matt38296032kn0q]

@JohnColombo @nishu_kush I am having this same issue. I have a copy of my project saved 2 days ago and opens fine but I have lost hours of work and the auto save is from a week ago. How do you fix this issue? I need this file. 

[JohnColombo]

@Matt38296032kn0q, sorry to hear you're experiencing this issue. What version of After Effects are you currently using? The fix for the prior version of this issue was to use the latest version of After Effects with the issue fixed, but that might not apply to your project.

- John, After Effects Engineering Team  

[Matt38296032kn0q]

I was using V25.2. I tried to use V24.6.7 and V25.0 and Beta all gave the same error. I tried opening the project, starting in Safe Mode, and importing the project on all versions and still got the error.