FFMPEG

[ntxdave]

I am suddenly having problems with FFMPEG. When I try to generate an MP4 file after generating a set on images, I am getting a "0" size file. Can someone give me an idea of something I should check.

I tried reinstalling FFMPEG and it did not solve the problem.

[Fletch]

Sorry Dave, but I have little to no experience with FFMPeg, we only use it as a convenient tool to auto-generate video files. Twilight Render does not have anything to do with how FFMpeg works.

[ntxdave]

Ok - I understand. If I get to open my laptop today, I have a suspicion but I may be way off base. It has worked for me in the past.

BTW: I sent you a PM yesterday but I notice it is still sitting in my outbox and I cannot open it..

[ntxdave]

OK, I have tried a number of things and I cannot get this to work/generate a valid mp4 file (or any other movie).

Giving up............................

[ntxdave]

Here are two screen shots that give you some idea of what I see when I run ffmpeg

Directory showing that an mp4 file generated

ffmpeg-mp4-file.jpg (65.36 KiB) Viewed 4917 times

Error message that is displayed when you click on the mp4 file that was generated

ffmpeg-error.jpg (53.89 KiB) Viewed 4917 times

I do not understand what is happening.

[Chris]

What is the dimensions of your image? Twilight Render is supposed to make sure that it is using compatible dimensions but it is possible something isn't working. Most MP4 encoders require the width (and maybe the height?) to be a multiple of 4. If your image isn't evenly divisible by 4, try making it so and see.

Also, did something on your system change? I recall you have been able to create movies in the past (it's been a couple years I think).

[ntxdave]

Yes, I used to be able to create movies but I was using Fredo’s Animator plugin. This all started when someone asked about using animated textures wi TR. Hopefully I will be able to fire up my laptop later today and take a look at things. If so, I will let you know.

[Fletch]

Sorry to hear of troubles with ffmpeg.
As mentioned, I have no control over ffmpeg, and little experience or knowledge of the app.

If you have the separate rendered images, try creating the video with Windows Video Editor App or other video editing software.

[ntxdave]

OK - I think Chris may have pointed out the problem. Although I thought that my image sizes were divisible by 4 in both directions, I did some playing around with image sizes and it is working for me.

I went in to one of the directories where things did not work correctly and clicked on one of the images. I then looked at the properties and saw an odd image size of 800x421. I sure do not remember ever setting anything like that but it seems to verify what Chris said. I partially generated several more sets of images making sure that both the width and height were divisible by 4 and they all have worked. So maybe that seems to verify what Chris said.

[ntxdave]

OK guys, I think I have figured out what is really happening. When you look at the image below, you will notice that the images being generated are not what my setting is in the Animation Editor.

FileSize.jpg (103.6 KiB) Viewed 4892 times

The image that was generated is an off size and is not divisible by 4 (on both the height and width) therefore FFmpeg will not generate the video.

Also, if you see the size of the gray box in the background you will notice that it’s shape does not match the size/shape defined in the image size box. It should be taller than it is wide. I have noticed that several times when generating animations but did not put two and two together. to me!

Hope all of this is helpful.