Participant

Answered

Error 86 :: 1 Could not open source file. Please check that file exists with correct permissions.

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
September 2, 2020
5 replies
27588 views

When trying to import .mov files to After Effects CC 2020, I get the following error:

After Effects error: Could not open source file. Please check that file exists with correct permissions. (86 :: 1)

This is then followed by:

After Effects error: file 'filename.mov' cannot be imported - this 'MooV' file is damaged or unsupported.

I am using After Effects 2020 v 17.1.3

My OS is: macOS Catalina v 10.15.6

My QuickTime version is: 10.5

I have seen windows users who don't have QuickTime installed run into similiar issues remedy it by downloading QuickTime. As I have QuickTime installed, this doesn't work. I have uninstalled and reinstalled QuickTime and AE, both to no avail. I also downgraded to the previous version of a AE which gave me the same error. Moving the files to the desktop, renaming them and moving them back to their original folder seemed to work for other people who have encountered this problem, but not for me.

The files in question were exported from iMovie by another team member offsite, but I am still able to import and open other .mov files that were edited and exported iMovie too with the exact same codecs and specs as the ones causing me trouble when compared in Finder, so the issue doesn't seem applicable to all .mov files.

I have been looking for answers for 8 hours now and am incredibly frustrated. With deadlines looming a solution would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Jack.

Correct answer LJam

Ok I figured out a work around.

Make sure all files are accessible on the same pathway, clean cache and reset preferences, save project and restart AE.

Seems like AE holds the pathway attempt in the cache, even if the files have been re-located it doesn't reset unless you clear or change the file name (Hense it recognises it as different from previous link attempt).

Adobe should address this issue and create a reset link when you replace footage.

S

Sam5F84

Participant

I can see you've found the solution but I'm just going to put this here in case anyone else has had a similar issue.
I had the same error but it was for a project with over 100 linked files. Very frustrating.
It was actually a project I inhereted from another designer who had created an extra folder in the (footage) folder between the assets and the project. It worked fine when I first used the file but when I came back to it months later all the footage gave me this error.
Moving the folder of assets up a layer, into the (footage) folder, and removing that extra layer between the project and the assets seemed to fix the problem.
You would have thought that simply replacing one piece of footage in the slightly buried folder would have set AE on the right track but it didn't. Seems like it really just wanted that old traditional file structure.
Hope this helps someone.

L

LJam

Participant

Thank you for the advice. It still won't work for my project and I have same issue, around 100 files not linking to source file despite all of them working and not corrupted.

Seems mad that After Effects can't recognise the file pathway? Is this a permissions issue on Mac OS?

Also did you move the file up in your folder on your desktop/HD or do you mean in the project window? Thanks

L

LJamCorrect answer

Participant

Ok I figured out a work around.

Make sure all files are accessible on the same pathway, clean cache and reset preferences, save project and restart AE.

Seems like AE holds the pathway attempt in the cache, even if the files have been re-located it doesn't reset unless you clear or change the file name (Hense it recognises it as different from previous link attempt).

Adobe should address this issue and create a reset link when you replace footage.

R

Rohan Hill

Participant

SOLVED!!

What you want to do is rename the file you want to link in Finder. Right click on the video file you want to reload in AfterEffects > Hover down to 'Replace Footage' > Click 'File...' > Select the renamed video file!

I am using Adobe AfterEffects 2023 on MacOS Monterey 12.6.

M

Marcos22724890x8po

Participant

Rohan! You saved me 🙂 Thank you so much! Have a great day!

steveny76654216

Participant

I've just been having the exact same problem. The solution that I've used is converting the mov file to an mp4 using VLC.

J

Jaydude-wb

Inspiring

That's not really a solution - since it is downgrading material.

J

jeankelsey

Participant

I'm having the same problem, and I've tried all the mentioned solutions. My mov file cannot be imported by Premiere, After Effects or Media Encoder, but it can open and play just fine in Quicktime and iMovie. I tried exporting them from both Quicktime and iMovie as new files, but that also didn't work. This is so confusing - what's going on!?

J

Jaydude-wb

Inspiring

Same here. I rendered a file to ProRes with Morph Age Pro - but After Effects wont' import. It opens and plays fine in Quicktime Player, and a saved copy will import in some cases, not all...

R

Rick Gerard

Community Expert

Catalina dropped support for several Quicktime formats. I would try adding the movie to the Adobe Media Encoder and rendering a Pro-rez version of the file. If AME does not work, and you can't get QuickTime Player to open the file, you may have to find a system with an earlier version of Quick Time on it and render the file to ProRez.

A

Angel25417791z7io

Participant

That seems like an insane work-around? I have to find a system that will run an earlier version of Quicktime just so I can edit my iPhone footage in 2022? All because I wanted a new iPhone. What's up, Adobe, why can't I import my Iphone clips?

What's the point of spending all this money on Adobe if it doesn't work and they never help in these message boards. Hello? Anyone out there to help?

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