FFmpeg produces 0 file size

[kevo777no3]

I need help getting FFmpeg to work in twilight render. I have the pro version and installed ffmpeg 64 bit on windows 10 according to the videos I've found. I go to tools and FFmpeg and the screen flashes with the cmd prompt and then it goes away. It creates a file with 0 file size that will not play. Please help me out, thanks!

Install I used
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHR3ttH5t-w

Tutorial I used
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENY8TkLQ_8M&t=417s

[Fletch]

So, please give here the exact path to the first rendered .jpg image you pointed Twilight to process your video.

You downloaded ffmpeg from here?
https://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/

It is NOT recommended to place FFMPEG where shown in the video you linked.
We recommend you place FFMpeg here:
Install 64bit FFMPEG to the following location
C:\Program Files\ffmpeg

Point Twilight Render to locate FFMPEG.exe in this folder:
C:\Program Files\ffmpeg\bin
at this location: "C:\Program Files\ffmpeg\bin\ffmpeg.exe"

[Chris]

One thing that might be an issue is pixel size. (I have found it to be an issue but not found it in the official mpg documentation.) Your image pixel size should be a power of 4 (4, 8, 16, 240, 400, 16000, etc.). Note that if you have "Fit to SketchUp" checked, your image size may not be what you set it too (because it is resized to match the SketchUp screen). So make sure to uncheck that.

[kevo777no3]

The first rendered image I selected is located here:
"C:\Users\kjack\Documents\_JDC\_AutoCad\_JDC\18_022 - Fleming 3D\Fleming Rendering\Render 4\Render0000"
In this folder it goes to Render0240

I had first put the file in the program files folder as you mentioned. It didn't work so I tried to find more tutorials and ended up placing it in it's own folder in (C:)

So first tried C:\Program Files\FFMPEG\bin
Then tried C:\FFMPEG\bin

I have the rendering size as 1920x1080 and the "Fit to view proportions" box was checked.
Framerate is 24fps, 10 second length (240 frames)

If it's of any benefit the "animated gif" option did work, it's just a little jumpy and I was hoping that ffmpeg would clean it up.

[kevo777no3]

I just re-ran the rendering at a much lower quality since I had rendered the last one prior to installing ffmpeg and I had the "fit to view proportions" checked. I also changed the path to the ffmpeg folder to what you suggested and re-pathed the environment variables for the ffmpeg install in both "system variables" and "user variables for kjack"

This time I ran the rendering at 400x225 resolution and 01. Prelim so it would be quick (11:34 to render 241 frames)

Same issue, it brings up the command box for about 0.5 seconds and then disappears. I check the folder and there's the .mp4 file with a 0 file size. Again, animated gif works just fine.

[Fletch]

We are not sure what could be the problem, but you could try to change the image pixel dimensions to be divisible by 4. Some video codecs require this.
You can use an external image batch editor to resize the rendered images. FSViewer is an example of a free batch editor for efficiently resizing or renaming many images.

For help with FFMPEG, you would need to ask FFMPEG creators on their forums.

Another option is to try an older version of FFMPEG - previous builds are available on their website.

[kevo777no3]

OK, I'll give it a shot. Wouldn't both the image resolutions I've posted be divisible by 4?

[kevo777no3]

Tried two other previous builds and both did the same thing. I'll ask over at ffmpeg, thanks.

[Fletch]

OK, I'll give it a shot. Wouldn't both the image resolutions I've posted be divisible by 4?

Normally, yes,

Note that if you have "Fit to SketchUp" checked, your image size may not be what you set it too (because it is resized to match the SketchUp screen)

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[Chris]

In my previous post I indicated you should have "Fit to SketchUp" unchecked. If you left it checked, your final render size may not be what you think it is. You can check the actual resulting image (right click on the image -> Properties -> Details) and see. If it's not a power of 4, I don't think it's going to work correctly with FFMpeg.