[David Johnson]

I’m still using CS3 so, unless there is some new magic I’m unaware of in CS4, you can save raster images in vector file formats, but you cannot truly convert a raster file into a vector file.

[David Johnson]

[brett stumpp] “Is there a difference between a quicktime uncompressed 10 bit 422 file created on a mac, and an uncompressed 10 bit yuv 422 file created with a quicktime wrapper in after effects or premiere”

Sometimes, yes, since all “uncompressed” codecs are not created equal … for example, I work on both platforms so, if I render from AE on a Win machine using a Blackmagic “uncompressed” codec, I’d have to re-render in FCP since (in my case) the Mac uses an AJA “uncompressed” codec. So, I download an AJA uncompressed codec for Win from their website and install it on the Win machine, use it to render from AE and the file exactly matches the Mac’s AJA uncompressed codec.

I’m not sure I understand the second part, but I think the answer is no … despite the misleading term “none”, there is no such thing as using no codec at all so rendering an “uncompressed” codec timeline from your NLE to an “uncompressed” codec file shouldn’t lose anything unless the two use different “uncompressed” codecs. But as you already noted, you won’t regain anything either.

In other words, the bottom line is that what matters are the details of the “uncompressed” codecs you’re using and whether they are in fact the same regardless of their common “uncompressed” names.

[David Johnson]

Have you tried contacting Adobe? It’s been a while so I don’t recall the address, but last time I needed an old version, they directed me to a location on their FTP that allowed me to download it. I’d be very careful of anything you download off the web that doesn’t come directly from Adobe or at least an authorized reseller.

[David Johnson]

Graham’s approach is definitely the most realistic, but in case your cam doesn’t have that kind of setting, you could also make a file in Photoshop with alternating lines of dark and lighter grey to simulate TV fields. Add some noise or grain. And use a bullnose mask so the edges aren’t a sharp rectangle. Then, lay it over your footage in AE using a blending mode of your choice … I forget which works best, but maybe screen or add with slightly lowered opacity so that it also simulates the slight glow of a TV screen. While there are better methods (some using third-party plugins), this method renders pretty quickly so it just depends on your specific needs/preferences.

[David Johnson]

If you haven’t found a solution yet, give all the details you can …

What kinds of files are you trying to reload? File format? Codec?

Do you have any issues when you start a new project and import the same files? What about importing different files?

What version of AE are you using? And, have you installed the latest updates for it?

Unfortunately, the kind of issue you’re having is very difficult to diagnose without seeing first hand everything that could be affecting AE and/or the specific project or files.

[David Johnson]

I don’t recall the shortcut (maybe CNTRL G), but there is a Find command in the file menu that has a Missing Files checkbox in the window that comes up and there is a Find Next shortcut that allows you to continue searching through the whole project after the first one.

[David Johnson]

Is that a work-week or calendar-week old baguette, Dave?

I think I actually frequent the COW as much for comic relief as knowledge these days … that special brand of humor is hard to find!

[David Johnson]

There are many ways to do most things in AE and the best depends on a number of factors (other layer interactions, etc.), but what comes to my mind is that, rather than using one shape and distorting it, it would be easier to arrange a series of 3D layer shapes and animate a mask on each shape to start as the mask on the previous shape ends.

It’ll take a little tweaking to get the timing right since the shapes might be different sizes and the masks will, therefore, need to reveal in slightly different spans of time, but precision isn’t necessary since it’s happening so fast.

[David Johnson]

You might also try the Roughen Edges effect, but you will probably need to adjust the settings quite a bit to get the large moving edges.

[David Johnson]

Unfortunately, 0:42 in particular is one of the most unexplained errors I’ve ever encountered in AE. I haven’t seen it in quite a while, but the few times that I did it was always after I had made some significant change to my AE system that created some sort of conflict with AE.

The first thing I’d try is loading my most recent backup copy of the project in case the project file itself became corrupt as a result of whatever happened. If you don’t have backup copies, you might consider adding that step to your workflow going forward.

Next, try starting a new AE project and importing the problematic project into it with things like previews and third-party plugins disabled … I don’t recall the shortcuts for those off-hand, but I’m sure they’re in the manual.

And, if you’ve recently installed any new software (particularly video-related) or made some sort of change to the core system, you might try reverting back to the state the system was at when you created the project.

And, since it sounds like you’re a student, I’ll also mention that, even more important than any effect, etc. you learn to do in AE, you might consider always using a multiple safeguard workflow the most important thing you ever learn about working in AE (or any media software, for that matter) … as Dave L. says, save and backup your work like people vote in Chicago … early and often.

I hope this helps.