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garryw40009217
garryw40009217
Participating Frequently
January 10, 2024
Question

missing stage frame files

  • January 10, 2024
  • 1 reply
  • 986 views

I am using Premiere Elements version 13 on a WIN 10 PC. I started a large project several years ago but had to leave it for a while due to some health issues. However, during that hiatus I had to upgrade my PC from 8.1 to 10 and also (a while later) rebuild WIN 10. Probably 90% of my PE13 editing has been done on WIN 8.1 originally so it (hopefully) has survived a couple of re-installs. I've tried to ensure all data files have been backed up right from the start - using Windows native "file backup" and my own manual backup using an external H.D., however, PE13 seems to use a variety of data files and they do not appear to be all in common directories ("folders") and sub-directories so some may have eluded a critical backup. Recently I attempted to pick up where I left off with the big project and discovered that the program couldn't start because it couldn't find the (raw) *.mts files. So I did a manual search and found them in a very odd 6 levels down sub-directory (perhaps due to my using a program to eliminate duplicate picture and video files about a year ago that didn't run perfectly?) and copied them into a new directory where PE13 can access them now. BUT, now when I try to open an existing project PE13 asks for the "stage_frame.png" file - which I can not find anywhere on my PC or in the backups. This brings to mind a couple of questions: 1. does this mean all of the videos I have created are now useless? 2. Is there any way to recreate the missing files? 3. If I were to upgrade to a current version of PE is there any chance whatsoever I could "recreate" the videos into useable projects using the .prel files from PE13 (which are preserved on the PC)??  Any and all suggestions will be GREATLY appreciated. 

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1 reply

S
Steve Grisetti
Legend
January 10, 2024

I don't know what to tell you. If you reinstalled it after upgrading your operating system, I believe Premiere Elements should behave the same way in Windows 10 as it did on Windows 8. So I'm not sure I understand the question on recreating the missing files. Just uninstall and reinstall and it should work.

 

I wouldn't start moving program files and data files around. I'm not sure it will fix your problems.

 

As for upgrading to version 2024, don't expect to be able to open old files with version 2024. Premiere Elements has never really been backwards compatible, so you can't open version 13 files in version 2024. It's best to finish your work in the same version of the program you started it in. Otherwise you could run into weird behavior and possible project file corruption.

garryw40009217
garryw40009217Author
Participating Frequently
January 11, 2024

Thank you for your help with this problem, Steve.  At least I know now that upgrading to a newer version of PE won't gain anything. I'm not having a problem with running the PE 13 program itself - I have used it a few times on WIN 10 so it doesn't need to be re-installed as far as I can tell. The problem is I'm missing some data files that are required to open existing (completed) projects. The missing data files are "stage_frame.png" files which are unique to each project I assume.  I think I need the assistance of an actual programmer who has worked with PE 13 or other version of PE that is similar insofar as the required data files to open projects is concerned.  Do you (or anyone else reading this) know if there is any way to get Adobe tech people to look at my problem and offer solutions?

S
Steve Grisetti
Legend
January 12, 2024

I read recently that the stage_frame.png files are created when you select graphics/words (i.e. "stills") to introduce a movie or insert same within a movie. I assumed that these files would be automatically saved in the "projectxx.prel" files of the finished movies as they would be needed in order to watch the movie on a TV using a thumb drive that holds the movies.  If that is true, I don't understand why it is that now when I try to open any of the finished movies on my PC that the program pauses and asks "where is file xxxx ".  The first file it asked for was the "00001.mts" file and when I located the mts files I used the browse tool in PE 13 to direct it there. Now when I try to open that movie it asks "where is file "stage_frame.png"? So, using the logic based on the first "where is" halt, I looked for stage_frame.png files but can not find them in any of the media folders that are associated with PE 13, or any other program either.  Maybe the program logic for PE 13 needs these particular files for reference (and who knows how many more special files?) in order to make edits to the movie even though I haven't even told the program yet that I want to edit this movie.  I really don't understand why I can't simply call up the completed movie and watch it - all the specialized files should be contained within the movie. Is there a different option I should be using when the program starts up? 


If you haven't reinstalled the program since upgrading your operating system, I still recommend doing so -- even if the program does open.  Doing so should put the necessary files where they belong.

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