How to import an mp4-file - Tutorial

[Jeffrey Cumber]

Hi everyone,

I had some trouble finding a way how to import an MP4 file into OpenToonz and made a short tutorial after I had found out.
In case you might like to know here's the link to the tutorial:
https://youtu.be/E5SiWNPUVDI

I hope this helps you to combine different video sources. It's also great for rotoscoping.

Kind regards
Jeffrey

[Dillon Wright]

You should get whomever makes all the official updates for OpenToonz to make importing MP4 videos a bundled feature, because I could use this technique to enhance my cartoons. Also, I don't know how to download that one thing you said I'll need to import MP4 files into OpenToonz, since you didn't put a link on where to download it.

[Jane Eyre]

It would be great not to have to go looking for an FFMPEG download but it is probably a licensing issue.

For anyone looking, here’s the link to download FFMPEG for mp4 and gif support:
https://www.ffmpeg.org/download.html

[Dillon Wright]

Is this safe?

[Rodney]

Is this safe?

Yes.

The internet isn't safe though so we should probably reconsider using it.  ;)

[Dillon Wright]

Yes, maybe we should wait for the official OpenToonz people to add an easier way to add videos to our projects. And by easy, I mean as easy as taking a photo from your folders, dragging it into the app, and clicking on either load or import.

[Jane Eyre]

Ffmpeg.org is the official ffmpeg website, so I’d consider it a safe source. I definitely agree that having video import work by default without any setup would be best. However I wouldn’t expect that to be added anytime soon.

Fortunately, once you’ve linked to a directory that contains ffmpeg (in preferences) and restarted, it is as easy as you describe to import or load videos and gifs.

Keep in mind for full animated gif support, ffprobe should also be in the ffmpeg directory.

[Dillon Wright]

Could someone give me a tutorial on how to download the ffmpeg thing and set it up?

[Jane Eyre]

1. Go to the link posted earlier
2. Either click download or select your operating system & choose a build to download
3. Unzip if necessary & place the doanloaded ffmpeg directory in the location of your choice
4. In OpenToonz, open “Preferences” & go to the Import/Export tab
5. Select your new ffmpeg directory
6. Increase the value for the ffmpeg timeout (the amount of time OpenToonz will try to render using ffmpeg)
7. Close & restart OpenToonz
8. In a new scene or the existing scene of your choice, drag & drop .mp4 or .gif files to load or import (you will also now be able to render to mp4 or gif)

It’s a slight hassle the first time, but really not a big deal. If you ever delete the stuff folder & reinstall, you would need to set the path again. Otherwise, once you’ve setup ffmpeg you are all set.

[Dillon Wright]

I just followed the instructions, and I successfully imported a video that's 8 minutes long into the app, so now I can mix live action and animation, despite what Foxxy Love said about how live action and animation don't mix in Drawn Together. Thank you.