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Motion 5: Troubleshooting basics

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Important note: Prior to performing steps in this article, be sure that you have a current backup of your Motion project file and all media, graphics, fonts, custom behaviors, filters, and third-party add-ons you are using in the project. Also be sure that you have a backup of Motion 5. For more information see:

 

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1. Review Motion 5 documentation

In order to verify that Motion 5 is working as expected, it's always a good idea to review the documentation to ensure that you clearly understand the expected behavior of what you're trying to do in Motion 5. Following this step thoroughly could save a lot of time by eliminating perceived issues.

To access the Motion 5 User Guide see Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, Compressor 4: User guides

 

2. Verify that your computer meets the system requirements for Motion 5

See Motion 5 - Technical Specifications.

Ensure that your computer meets the OpenCL-capable graphics card or Intel HD Graphics 3000 or later system requirement. For more information see Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, Compressor 4: Graphics card compatibility

 

3. Ensure Motion 5 is up to date

Note: If you are actively working on a project, avoid updating or upgrading Motion 5 until you are finished with the project. Either complete the project in the version of Motion 5 you are currently working in, or ensure that you have a current backup of your Motion project file and all media, graphics, fonts, custom behaviors, filters, and third-party add-ons used in the project and a backup of Motion 5. This is so you can revert to the previous state that your data and the application were in if updating or upgrading to the latest version of Motion 5 does not address your issue. For more information see:

 

4. Verify that the ProApps QuickTime Codecs are installed

5. Make sure you're using a media format supported for use with Motion 5

For more information see File types supported by Motion.

 

6. Check third-party compatibility

If you use any third-party software (plug-ins, tools, or content) with Motion 5, contact the manufacturer to ensure that the version of third-party software you have installed is compatible with the version of Motion 5 you're using.

 

7. Isolate the issue by testing with another user account

8. Test with media that is known to work

Known-good media is media that is known to consistently work without issues. This can be a media file from a previous project that you confidently know works as expected.

Alternately, you could add a generator and an audio file to a new Motion project (or a new Final Cut Pro X project). Export media using an Apple ProRes codec, like Apple ProRes 422, to create a known-good media file for troubleshooting.

Using media that is known to work can help you isolate an issue down to the media you're attempting to work with. If media that is known to work works as expected in Motion 5 but other media you've imported into Motion 5 does not, there may be an issue with the imported media. You may need to acquire it again from the original source, or it may be media that is not supported for use in Motion 5. For more information see Motion 5: File types supported by Motion.

 

9. Reset Motion 5 preferences

Important note before you begin:
Before resetting user preferences, be sure to first review your Motion 5 preferences as they are currently configured, and note any specific settings you've chosen. When resetting the Motion 5 preferences, your General, Appearance, Project, Time, Cache, Canvas, 3D, Presets, and Gestures preferences will be returned to default settings the next time you open Motion 5.

These articles are helpful for understanding the different preferences:

How to reset the Motion 5 Preferences:
Follow the steps below for the version of Mac OS X that you are using.

OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion

  1. Create a new folder on the Desktop. Name the folder with a descriptive name you'll remember. For example, something like "Motion 5 Preferences".
  2. In Finder, hold down the Option key and choose Library from the Go menu.
  3. In the Library folder that opens, open the Preferences folder. Move the following files to the folder you created in step 1:

    4. com.apple.motionapp.plist
    com.apple.motionapp.plist.lockfile

    Note: The .lockfile item may not be present on your system.

OS X 10.7 Lion

  1. Create a new folder on the Desktop. Name the folder with a descriptive name you'll remember. For example, something like "Motion 5 Preferences".
  2. In the Finder, hold down the Option key and choose Library from the Go menu.
  3. In the Library folder that opens, open the Preferences folder and move the following files to the folder created in step 1:

    4. com.apple.motionapp.plist
    com.apple.motionapp.plist.lockfile

    Note: The .lockfile item may not be present on your system.

 

Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard

  1. Create a new folder on the Desktop. Name the folder with a descriptive name you'll remember. For example, something like "Motion 5 Preferences".
  2. In the Finder, choose Home from the Go menu.
  3. In the Home folder that opens, open the Library folder. Then, open the Preferences folder and move the following file to folder created in step 1:

    4. com.apple.motionapp.plist

After resetting preferences by moving the above file, perform the same steps that caused the issue to occur originally. If the issue no longer occurs, move the preference files you moved to the Desktop to the Trash. Empty the Trash to delete them from your computer.

 

10. Remove and reinstall Motion 5

Removing Motion 5

Follow the steps below for the version of Mac OS X that you are using.

OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion

  1. In Finder, choose Applications from the Go menu.

  2. Locate the Motion application and drag it to the Trash.

  3. In Finder, hold down the Option key and choose Library from the Go menu.

  4. In the Library folder that opens, open the Application Support folder and locate the Motion folder. If you have any custom content or favorites you've saved in Motion, be sure to make a backup of this folder. Once the folder is backed up, move the Motion folder to the Trash.

  5. Return to the Library folder and open the Caches folder. Move the "com.apple.motionapp" folder to the Trash.

  6. Return to the Library folder and open the Preferences folder. Move the following files to the Trash:


    7. com.apple.motionapp.plist
    com.apple.motionapp.plist.lockfile

    Note: The .lockfile item may not be present on your system.

OS X 10.7 Lion

  1. In Finder, choose Applications from the Go menu.
  2. Locate the Motion application and drag it to the Trash.
  3. In Finder, hold down the Option key and choose Library from the Go menu.
  4. In the Library folder that opens, open the Application Support folder. Move the Motion folder to the Trash.
  5. Return to the Library folder and open the Caches folder. Move the "com.apple.motionapp" folder to the Trash.

     

  6. Return to the Library folder and open the Preferences folder. Move the following files to the Trash:

     

    7. com.apple.motionapp.plist
    com.apple.motionapp.plist.lockfile

    Note: The .lockfile item may not be present on your system.

Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard

  1. In Finder, choose Applications from the Go menu.

  2. Locate the Motion application and drag it to the Trash.

  3. In Finder, choose Home from the Go menu.

  4. In the Home folder that opens, open the Library folder. Open the Application Support folder and move the Motion folder to the Trash.

  5. Return to the Library folder and open the Preferences folder. Move the following file to the Trash:

    com.apple.motionapp.plist

Reinstalling Motion 5

  • From the Mac App Store

    1. Follow the steps from earlier in this article to remove Motion 5.
    2. Open the Mac App Store.
    3. Click the Purchases button in the Mac App Store toolbar.
    4. Sign in to the Mac App Store using the Apple ID you first used to purchase Motion 5.
    5. Look for Motion in the list of purchased applications in the App Store. If you don't see Motion in the list, make sure that it's not hidden. See Mac App Store: Hiding and unhiding purchases for more information.
    6. Click Install to download and install Motion 5.

  • From a backup
    If you are reinstalling (restoring) a copy of Motion 5 from a backup, you have two options. Choose one of the following:

    1. Simply drag the application back from its storage location to your Applications folder.
      Or
    2. If you use Time Machine to back up your computer, follow the steps for restoring data from Time Machine backups.

    • When you open the restored application for the first time, you may be required to sign in with the Apple ID account that you used to purchase the application.

 

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