Before you begin, make sure to back up your iMovie libraries, your media, and the iMovie app.
Try these troubleshooting steps in order
IMovie provides many frequently-used output formats for you to choose from. You can save iMovie project in a format that suits you best. When you want to create a slideshow in iMovie and save the video, you should export it to Mac. Then you can access it on Finder folder. If you exit iMovie without saving the project, the iMovie video will be lost. My Mac version is 10.13.6 and it can't uploud anymore. If I want to download iMovie it need 10.14.6. Is there any solution that I can do to download iMovie. IMovie is an all-featured video editing software created by Apple Inc. IMovie claims that it can help you (including non-professionals) to easily transform videos into Hollywood-quality clips. Together with iPhoto, iDVD and GarageBand, iMovie is another component of Apple's iLife suite of software applications for video editing. 6) When you finish, play the clip to see if it turns out as you expect. If you want to swap the Start and End of the Ken Burns effect, click that Swap button to the right of the Ken Burns button. If you want to remove the Ken Burns effect, you can click Reset on the right of the Cropping screen.
After trying each step below, test iMovie again to see if you've fixed your issue.
Restart your Mac
Reset NVRAM
If you use an external device with iMovie like a camera, reset NVRAM:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Disconnect all external devices other than your keyboard and your mouse.
- Reset NVRAM.
- Open iMovie and attempt to reproduce your issue.
- If iMovie works, reconnect devices one at a time until you can reproduce your issue. Restart your Mac after reconnecting a device if the device requires it.
- If iMovie still doesn't work, you might need to update your device's firmware or have the device serviced.
Update macOS and iMovie
Choose Apple menu > App Store, then click Updates. If an iMovie update is available, click Update to download and install it.
Check camera and media format compatibility
Make sure you're using a camera and media format that works with iMovie. If you can't find your camera listed or need further assistance, contact the manufacturer of the device for support.
If you're using a third-party video interface with your Mac, check with the manufacturer for firmware or other software updates for your device.
Test with a new library and project
You can create a new library and test project to check if the issue is with your library, project, or iMovie app. First, create a new library:
- Quit iMovie.
- While you press and hold the Option key, click the iMovie app in the Dock or double-click the iMovie app in the Applications folder.
- In the Open Library window, click New to create a new library.
- Name the test library 'Test iMovie Library,' then save it to the Desktop.
Next, create the test project using a built-in trailer template, then export it as a QuickTime video file:
- In iMovie, click Projects to return to the Projects view.
- Choose File > New Trailer, click the Action trailer template, then click Create.
- Choose File > Share > File, click Next, name the file 'Finish Line,' then save the video file to the Desktop.
Next, import the QuickTime video file into a new project in the new library:
- Click projects to return to the Projects view. In the window, click OK.
- Choose File > New Movie.
- Choose File > Import Media, then click Desktop in the Import window sidebar. Select the 'Finish Line.mov' file in the list, then click the Import Selected button.
- Select the clip in the browser, then press the E key to add the clip to the timeline.
- Try to recreate the issue you were having. For example, if iMovie quit when adding a transition, try to add a transition to the timeline.
If the new library and project work as expected, you've isolated the cause of your issue to the original library or project. Try to restore a previous version of the original library from a Time Machine or other backup.
Reset iMovie
Reset iMovie to default settings. Libraries won't be affected.
Check camera and media format compatibility
Make sure you're using a camera and media format that works with iMovie. If you can't find your camera listed or need further assistance, contact the manufacturer of the device for support.
If you're using a third-party video interface with your Mac, check with the manufacturer for firmware or other software updates for your device.
Test with a new library and project
You can create a new library and test project to check if the issue is with your library, project, or iMovie app. First, create a new library:
- Quit iMovie.
- While you press and hold the Option key, click the iMovie app in the Dock or double-click the iMovie app in the Applications folder.
- In the Open Library window, click New to create a new library.
- Name the test library 'Test iMovie Library,' then save it to the Desktop.
Next, create the test project using a built-in trailer template, then export it as a QuickTime video file:
- In iMovie, click Projects to return to the Projects view.
- Choose File > New Trailer, click the Action trailer template, then click Create.
- Choose File > Share > File, click Next, name the file 'Finish Line,' then save the video file to the Desktop.
Next, import the QuickTime video file into a new project in the new library:
- Click projects to return to the Projects view. In the window, click OK.
- Choose File > New Movie.
- Choose File > Import Media, then click Desktop in the Import window sidebar. Select the 'Finish Line.mov' file in the list, then click the Import Selected button.
- Select the clip in the browser, then press the E key to add the clip to the timeline.
- Try to recreate the issue you were having. For example, if iMovie quit when adding a transition, try to add a transition to the timeline.
If the new library and project work as expected, you've isolated the cause of your issue to the original library or project. Try to restore a previous version of the original library from a Time Machine or other backup.
Reset iMovie
Reset iMovie to default settings. Libraries won't be affected.
Reinstall iMovie
Delete iMovie, then redownload and reinstall it. Libraries won't be affected.
Still not working?
Learn more
If you are a Mac user, you may feel familiar with iMovie. iMovie is the powerful video editing software for Mac and iOS device (iPhone/iPad/iPod). It is easy to browse your clips and create Hollywood-style trailers and stunning 4K-resolution movies. Even some professionals use iMovie because of its useful functions. iMovie enables you to edit videos with ease.
However, it is a little bit hard for many users to save a video in iMovie. Don't worry, we will show you how to save iMovie in this post. You can keep reading to find how to save iMovie project on Mac.
- Part 1. How to Save iMovie project on Mac (Finished)
- Part 2. How to Save iMovie project on Mac (Unfinished)
- Part 3. Best Alternative to iMovie for Mac/Windows
- Part 4. FAQs of Saving iMovie Project
Part 1. How to Save iMovie Project on Mac (Finished)
iMovie provides many frequently-used output formats for you to choose from. You can save iMovie project in a format that suits you best. When you want to create a slideshow in iMovie and save the video, you should export it to Mac. Then you can access it on Finder folder. If you exit iMovie without saving the project, the iMovie video will be lost. You can take the following guide to learn how to save iMovie.
Within just a few seconds, the project in iMovie will be saved on Mac.
Part 2. How to Save iMovie Project on Mac (Unfinished)
Sometimes, for the unfinished projects in iMovie, you also need to save them. In this way, you can edit the project on another Mac, or continue editing on your Mac when you have free time.
Moreover, when your iMovie crashes, will you lose your iMovie project?
Of course no. iMovie will save a project automatically. It saves all of its data and assets (video, images, audio) into a library file, which is called iMovie Library. When you run iMovie next time, the unfinished project will also come.
Here comes the question, how to save unfinished iMovie projects on Mac? If you want to do that, you should follow the next steps.
Imovie 10.13.6
Just like the first method above, you can easily get the unfinished iMovie project saved on Mac. After that, you can continue editing it when you want to.
For the exported iMovie project, you can easily save it in hard drive on Mac. Or add the project file to your other memory card, like USB, flash drive, etc.
For iMovie users on iPhone, the steps are similar. Check this guide here to learn how to export iMovie on iPhone.
Part 3. Best Alternative to iMovie for Mac/Windows
iMovie is a good video editor for Mac users. But here we still sincerely recommend the best alternative for Windows/Mac - Mac Video Converter Ultimate. Compatible with almost all Mac computers, like MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, iMac Pro, Mac Pro, Mac mini, etc.
Compared with iMovie, it provides more powerful video editing features. What's more, even you are the first time to use it, you can use it to edit video and adjust output effects to create a video you like.
- Powerful editing video effects like clip, merge, crop, watermark, 3D effects, etc.
- Adjust output settings like codec, format, resolution, frame rate, bitrate, etc.
- Add new subtitle/audio track and remove the original audio track.
- Support 1080p HD/4K UHD video conversion and video to iMovie MOV converting.
Part 4. FAQs of Saving iMovie Project
Imovie 10.12.6
Why can't I save my iMovie?
Many reasons may cause your iMovie project failed to export, like lack of computer space, corrupted project, or wrong export file name. To solve it, you need to make sure your Mac has enough storage space. You can also check if your project is corrupted or the file name is wrong.
Do projects automatically save in iMovie?
Yes. There is no Save option on the menus of iMovie. Your projects will be saved to iMovie Library automatically. You can share the project to email, iTunes or external device.
Where are iMovie projects stored?
All the iMovie projects will be auto-saved to iMovie Library. Just go to Home (your name) > Movies > iMovie Library to check your projects.
Conclusion
In this post, we mainly talk about how to save iMovie. We show you the simple way to save an iMovie project (finished/unfinished) on Mac. Moreover, we tell you the best alternative to iMovie. We hope you can handily edit your video after reading this post.
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