corrupted PNG image sequence

[Joseph W. bourke]

Hi Peter –

Are you sure that it is a corrupted image that is causing the problem? Single image sequences are one of the most bullet-proof ways to get an animation into AE. Is it possible that your memory settings are causing the crash?

There is a “secret setting” in AE’s preferences which allows you to purge memory after a certain number of frames. When you’re in AE, hold down the SHIFT key and select Preferences. You will see a new menu that allows you to purge memory after “x” frames. I set mine to every 5 frames, and haven’t had a crash since.

Another thing to check is the size of the actual .png files. Are they 720 x 480 or another video standard size? If not, the conversion in AE may be hogging memory as well. You could do a batch size in Photoshop and run it on the folder that holds your .png files.

If neither of these is the culprit, check here:

https://generalspecialist.com/2007/02/troubleshooting-after-effects-7.asp

If it really is corrupt frames, just what you have been doing is the correct process. You will have to isolate which frames are causing the problem, then have your client (maybe ex-client after this nightmare!) re-output them. Good luck!

Joe Bourke
Art Director / WMUR-TV

[Joseph W. bourke]

Hi Peter –

Are you sure that it is a corrupted image that is causing the problem? Single image sequences are one of the most bullet-proof ways to get an animation into AE. Is it possible that your memory settings are causing the crash?

There is a “secret setting” in AE’s preferences which allows you to purge memory after a certain number of frames. When you’re in AE, hold down the SHIFT key and select Preferences. You will see a new menu that allows you to purge memory after “x” frames. I set mine to every 5 frames, and haven’t had a crash since.

Another thing to check is the size of the actual .png files. Are they 720 x 480 or another video standard size? If not, the conversion in AE may be hogging memory as well. You could do a batch size in Photoshop and run it on the folder that holds your .png files.

If it really is corrupt frames, just what you have been doing is the correct process. You will have to isolate which frames are causing the problem, then have your client (maybe ex-client after this nightmare!) re-output them. Good luck!

Joe Bourke
Art Director / WMUR-TV

[Peter Stenhouse]

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately the files are corrupt rather than being a memory problem.
I have had very few problems with image sequences till now.
I found the best way to detect them was to drag the entire sequence into preview, which will throw up a error message specifying images which won’t load. Scanning the thumbnails will also show which images are recognized as PNGs but are incomplete, i.e, half black.
so yeah
Painful, time consuming,

thanks again
Sincerely
Peter

small flowers crack concrete