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iMovie share file

I'm unable to share an iMovie project/movie to an external hard drive or MacBook Pro desktop. The documents load, however, just shows zero bytes for the movie.

Posted on Dec 23, 2022 4:14 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 23, 2022 8:53 AM

Hi, Newsync,


What likely is happening is that you are seeing the temporary zero byte file that exists until the export is fully complete. Upon export iMovie creates one or more temporary files to assist it in rendering the movie. The temporary files will show zero bytes and will not be playable. Soon after the export completes the temporary files will disappear and be replaced by the full sized exported movie. Search your desktop or external hard drive for the full file.


If the above does not solve it, try deleting/resetting preferences. To delete/reset preferences open iMovie while holding down the Option and Command keys and select to delete preferences in the box that appears. iMovie will open in a new library. Reopen your old library to get back to your projects. Now see if you can export. Possibly you may need to reboot to set the changes.  Deleting preferences is a safe procedure that will not cause data loss or disruption to your project.


-- Rich

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 23, 2022 8:53 AM in response to Newsync

Hi, Newsync,


What likely is happening is that you are seeing the temporary zero byte file that exists until the export is fully complete. Upon export iMovie creates one or more temporary files to assist it in rendering the movie. The temporary files will show zero bytes and will not be playable. Soon after the export completes the temporary files will disappear and be replaced by the full sized exported movie. Search your desktop or external hard drive for the full file.


If the above does not solve it, try deleting/resetting preferences. To delete/reset preferences open iMovie while holding down the Option and Command keys and select to delete preferences in the box that appears. iMovie will open in a new library. Reopen your old library to get back to your projects. Now see if you can export. Possibly you may need to reboot to set the changes.  Deleting preferences is a safe procedure that will not cause data loss or disruption to your project.


-- Rich

Dec 23, 2022 12:23 PM in response to Newsync

You won't see a "count up" in the temporary file because the temporary file is not a data file. It just contains codes and things that iMovie refers to for rendering purposes as it is creating the separate movie file. Once the movie file is fully rendered there is no necessity for the temporary files and so they disappear.


-- Rich

iMovie share file

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