FFmpeg: Instructions for download and Install

PeterThistle

@peterthistle said:

I am having a similar issue as the above, after following the instructions I am only getting a Text Document named 'FFmpeg_log_mp4'

Did you install a recent version of FFmpeg? or which date and version (maybe, on the contrary, it is too recent).

For whatever reason, it seems to disable the encode which is precisely needed for MP4 file.

Thanks for your help so far

The zip file I extracted the FFmpeg.exe from was "ffmpeg-N-99818-g993429cfb4-win64-lgpl"
after re-downloading and extracting it I now see all the stills in the animator videos file, the black window does appear at the end of the the generation but I am still getting just a text file in the animator video file. I don't know if it's different from before but below is what is in the file...

ffmpeg version N-99818-g993429cfb4 Copyright (c) 2000-2020 the FFmpeg developers
built with gcc 9.3-win32 (GCC) 20200320
configuration: --prefix=/ffbuild/prefix --pkg-config-flags=--static --pkg-config=pkg-config --cross-prefix=x86_64-w64-mingw32- --arch=x86_64 --target-os=mingw32 --enable-version3 --disable-debug --enable-iconv --enable-zlib --enable-libxml2 --enable-libfreetype --enable-libfribidi --enable-gmp --enable-lzma --enable-fontconfig --enable-opencl --enable-libvmaf --disable-vulkan --enable-libvorbis --enable-amf --enable-libaom --disable-avisynth --enable-libdav1d --disable-libdavs2 --enable-ffnvcodec --enable-cuda-llvm --disable-libglslang --enable-libass --enable-libbluray --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libopus --enable-libtheora --enable-libvpx --enable-libwebp --enable-libmfx --enable-libopencore-amrnb --enable-libopencore-amrwb --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-librav1e --disable-librubberband --enable-schannel --enable-sdl2 --enable-libsoxr --enable-libsrt --enable-libsvtav1 --enable-libtwolame --enable-libuavs3d --disable-libvidstab --disable-libx264 --disable-libx265 --disable-libxavs2 --disable-libxvid --enable-libzimg --extra-cflags=-DLIBTWOLAME_STATIC --extra-cxxflags= --extra-ldflags=-pthread --extra-libs=-lgomp
libavutil 56. 60.100 / 56. 60.100
libavcodec 58.112.100 / 58.112.100
libavformat 58. 64.100 / 58. 64.100
libavdevice 58. 11.102 / 58. 11.102
libavfilter 7. 88.100 / 7. 88.100
libswscale 5. 8.100 / 5. 8.100
libswresample 3. 8.100 / 3. 8.100
Input #0, image2, from 'Image%03d.png':
Duration: 00:00:34.04, start: 0.000000, bitrate: N/A
Stream #0:0: Video: png, rgb24(pc), 1632x929 [SAR 3780:3780 DAR 1632:929], 25 fps, 25 tbr, 25 tbn, 25 tbc
Unknown encoder 'libx264'

fredo6

@PeterThistle

I don't know what's going on with the recent versions of FFmpeg, but some seem to not include the right codec libraries. Apparently this is the case with the zip file you downloaded.

Could you try this one, which is with Fulllibraries at this link. I tested it on my laptop Win10-6 and it works. The file size of FFmpeg.exe is 105 Mb.

https://www.gyan.dev/ffmpeg/builds/ffmpeg-release-full.7z

More generally there is a mess in how the builds of FFmpeg are now released. I cannot find older versions. I need to have a closer look to how to have robust instructions.

Fredo

jayhuss9

i am only getting a mp4.txt file once animating my video. any ideas how i can get the mp4 will be much appreciated.

fredo6

See the post just above. It may depend on which version of FFmpeg you downloaded.

Bryan K

Just downloaded both Animator and FFmpeg. Played with it just enough to make sure it works.

Looking forward to using it fully.

Thanks for the fantastic plug ins!

jhandgraaf

Hi all,
I have installed the ffmpeg on my mac but I still get the permission denied file after rendering it. I can't seem to locate in the system preferences where to authorise it? Nothing is mentioning ffmpeg?
Thanks in advance, Jerry

fredo6

@jhandgraaf said:

Hi all,
I have installed the ffmpeg on my mac but I still get the permission denied file after rendering it. I can't seem to locate in the system preferences where to authorise it? Nothing is mentioning ffmpeg?
Thanks in advance, Jerry

It's normally in the Security panel...

quillpro

Working on a MAC (OS 11) and when I try to save a movie. The video generation dialog builds all the frames but does not change once it shows 100%. The resulting folder shows all the png's. But the log file reads...

sh: /Applications/ffmpeg: Permission denied

If I click the "Interrupt" button it moves to next screen and when I click Save and Exit the png's disappear and just the log file is left showing the permissions error.

Also the only options for format I can choose is MPG4 or Image sequence.

quillpro

@jhandgraaf said:

Hi all,
I have installed the ffmpeg on my mac but I still get the permission denied file after rendering it. I can't seem to locate in the system preferences where to authorise it? Nothing is mentioning ffmpeg?
Thanks in advance, Jerry

Did this ever get resolved?

fredo6

This is a problem of security. In principle, you can enable FFmpeg in the Control panel, Security. It usually shows the pending validation from the user.

quillpro

It does not appear in the Control Panel nor does it ask for permission. I was able to fix the issue by using the macOS terminal to make FFmpeg executable.

shell ~ % ls -lU /Applications/ffmpeg 
-rw-rw-r--@ 1 username staff  78461292 Aug 31  2020 /Applications/ffmpeg

shell ~ % chmod u=rwx /Applications/ffmpeg 

shell ~ % ls -lU /Applications/ffmpeg      
-rwxrw-r--@ 1 username  staff  78461292 Aug 31  2020 /Applications/ffmpeg

The Generation of Video interface is still buggy but it does now generate the video files.

JamesLAD

Hey there,

I am not really sure if I am properly posting on this site but I hope I can get a reply from you fredo.

I downloaded animator and set it up with my vray scene, just a simple rotation. It rendered about half of my animation (3 seconds) and I noticed that the clock counting the render frame time was way too long so I figured it hung up randomly. I hit interrupt and I chose to still generate my MP4. I went into the folder on my desk top labelled Animator videos and all there was was a txt file. it reads:

ffmpeg version 2020-10-31-git-3da35b7cc7-full_build-www.gyan.dev Copyright (c) 2000-2020 the FFmpeg developers
built with gcc 10.2.0 (Rev3, Built by MSYS2 project)
configuration: --enable-gpl --enable-version3 --enable-static --disable-w32threads --disable-autodetect --enable-fontconfig --enable-iconv --enable-gnutls --enable-libxml2 --enable-gmp --enable-lzma --enable-libsnappy --enable-zlib --enable-libsrt --enable-libssh --enable-libzmq --enable-avisynth --enable-libbluray --enable-libcaca --enable-sdl2 --enable-libdav1d --enable-libzvbi --enable-librav1e --enable-libsvtav1 --enable-libwebp --enable-libx264 --enable-libx265 --enable-libxvid --enable-libaom --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-libvpx --enable-libass --enable-frei0r --enable-libfreetype --enable-libfribidi --enable-libvidstab --enable-libvmaf --enable-libzimg --enable-amf --enable-cuda-llvm --enable-cuvid --enable-ffnvcodec --enable-nvdec --enable-nvenc --enable-d3d11va --enable-dxva2 --enable-libmfx --enable-libglslang --enable-vulkan --enable-opencl --enable-libcdio --enable-libgme --enable-libmodplug --enable-libopenmpt --enable-libopencore-amrwb --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libshine --enable-libtheora --enable-libtwolame --enable-libvo-amrwbenc --enable-libilbc --enable-libgsm --enable-libopencore-amrnb --enable-libopus --enable-libspeex --enable-libvorbis --enable-ladspa --enable-libbs2b --enable-libflite --enable-libmysofa --enable-librubberband --enable-libsoxr --enable-chromaprint
libavutil 56. 60.100 / 56. 60.100
libavcodec 58.112.100 / 58.112.100
libavformat 58. 64.100 / 58. 64.100
libavdevice 58. 11.102 / 58. 11.102
libavfilter 7. 88.100 / 7. 88.100
libswscale 5. 8.100 / 5. 8.100
libswresample 3. 8.100 / 3. 8.100
libpostproc 55. 8.100 / 55. 8.100
[image2 @ 0000022509e8e780] Could not find codec parameters for stream 0 (Video: png, none(pc)): unspecified size
Consider increasing the value for the 'analyzeduration' (0) and 'probesize' (5000000) options
Input #0, image2, from 'U1618886910_Image%03d.png':
Duration: 00:00:02.60, start: 0.000000, bitrate: N/A
Stream #0:0: Video: png, none(pc), 25 tbr, 25 tbn, 25 tbc
Output #0, mp4, to 'PH 1 ANIMATION.mp4':
Output file #0 does not contain any stream

I am really confused and don't know how to navigate this. I also cannot save my skp file after this has happened and it says there is something wrong and I need to save in an old version of skp. I am in PRO 2021.

If anyone can help me out here I would be greatly appreciated, I was really excited to render with this tool.

Thanks

JamesLAD

In addition to my last post

VRAY frame buffer now just does not work, on any model. I have restarted, uninstalled. Something about animator has done something to the vfb, i can see it as a tab but when i try to open it it hides and does not work

aida

@kimga said:

I tried and tried over the last week. Re-installed the plugin many times, restarted the computer and set up a new film and movement.

Unfortunately, the outcome is the same. The window shows all the possible formats once the FFmpeg file is located. Starts to generate the imagines into the folder. And at the end, when pressing the "save and finish" - or something similar on the bottom-right corner of the window, all the image files would disappear from the folder, no video is created at all and only the above mentioned txt file left behind....

Couldn`t figure what can be the problem.

I am planning to buy a new computer, workstation for Christmas. I will try if it works then.

Thank you for trying to help.
Cheers,

FOR WHOEVER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM: I used to have sketchup pro 2018 with Animator plugin installed on and whenever i wanted to generate and export my video, nothing saved as a result; neither any video nor even an image. So, i updated my sketchup to pro 2019 and the problem fixed. now i can easily export my animation as video files. I hope it helps those in need.

RobertSpycher

Hi All,
I have installed the FFmpg on my MacBook plus, OS Big Sur 11.4, and Sketchup 19.
At first, it was difficult to install it since the file is a text file. I am used to opening the package and let the Mac do the installation. In this case, I located the file when Animator asked for it and it all worked.

It would be a good idea to mention this in the instructions for Mac users.

Also, some have had problems with permission. For that open first your Security & Privacy window and then open the zip file. When the warnings are displayed, go back to the Security & Privacy. Under "Allow apps downloaded from:" you will find a warning displayed for you to accept it. The file is generated and you will find it just above the zip file.

Back to my problem. Unfortunately, when generating a video (mp4), it stops at the last image (i.e. 356) and displays Processing Frame 357 (see attached).
Then nothing happens. It will go for as long until I Interrupt. It asks me if I want to generate the video. By accepting it you either can Save an Exit or Forget and Exit.
As mentioned, you can see how during the generation the program is populating with Images but in the end, only an FFmpeg_log_mp4 log is shown.
Funny enough, if by starting the process you select MP4 "AND" MOV, the program at least will generate the images in PNG plus the FFmpeg_log_mp4 log. From here you can make a video with QuickTime Player.
It does NOT work with MPG, AVI, etc. All are generating PNG images during the process but, when finishing, the images disappear.

Any help to make it better and smoother is welcomed. In any case great plugin
Thank you
Robert

cdlea

I extracted the files from the .zip but i do not have a "C:\FFmpeg" pathway.. so what do i do with the ffmpeg.exe file?...

fredo6

@cdlea said:

I extracted the files from the .zip but i do not have a "C:\FFmpeg" pathway.. so what do i do with the ffmpeg.exe file?...

You can create the path C:\FFmpeg yourself and put the exe there.

Otherwise put the ffmpeg.exe anywhere on your PC and then, from the dialog box just designate this location.

jcampen

Hi, I am having same issue as the others where it's not outputting the video from the photos it generates. I have placed the FFmpeg into the C:/FFmpeg directory, and directed it to there, bus still not video gets generated. Can you please let me know how to fix this?

https://1drv.ms/u/s!At0tQ0s2FFP71olZbaK_lQSiQCxGfA?e=SkdJea

lumberjack_jeff

Thank you for the plugin, it worked well today on a windows machine using the 2022-09-22-git-af919cf780 found at
https://www.gyan.dev/ffmpeg/builds/

Shahram M

Hi

Not sure why, but I think I managed to fix my Video Generation issue.

I am not sure if this is a universal situation, but maybe helpful to someone. Like most of the posts here, I installed the Animator plugin on my Windows 11 laptop and followed all the steps, but was unable to generate movie (MP4 or any other format).

My original Sketchup file and the folder where the animation output was being located were on my OneDrive folders. After many failed attempts, I copied the Sketchup file and the FFMPEG file to a folder on my C drive. Doing so fixed the issue. Once the "Video Generation" process is completed, after selecting "Save and Exit", a video is generated and ready to access.

It works even after interrupting and resuming video generation process.