I've been working on a particular project for many weeks, and saving it as i go, but now when I try to open it, a message box appears with the heading:
"Can't import project file"
with the message:
"The file you selected is an Audacity project file.
Only audio files, not project files, can be imported into an existing project. To open a project file select Open from the File menu."
The problem is that I did precisely what the message is telling me to do, and everytime i try to open the project I receive the same message, telling me to do what I just did... very frustrating... is there anything I can do???
Can't Open Project File
Forum rules
Audacity 1.2.x is now obsolete. Please use the current Audacity 2.1.x version.
The final version of Audacity for Windows 98/ME is the legacy 2.0.0 version.
Audacity 1.2.x is now obsolete. Please use the current Audacity 2.1.x version.
The final version of Audacity for Windows 98/ME is the legacy 2.0.0 version.
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kozikowski
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Re: Can't Open Project File
I've gotten burned with this in Audacity 1.2. You might try leaving Audacity closed and right click the AUP file > Open With > Audacity.
Just to cover the Usual Suspects. Did you change, rename, delete, clean up or do anything else to the Project after you saved it the last time?
Koz
Just to cover the Usual Suspects. Did you change, rename, delete, clean up or do anything else to the Project after you saved it the last time?
Koz
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akcolonial
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Re: Can't Open Project File
This is happening to me. I got a new computer, so I emailed a project to myself to transfer it, and now I can't open either file. The "open with" thing didn't help.
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kozikowski
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Re: Can't Open Project File
We tell people, with significant universal truth, that you can't move an Audacity Project. Projects are complex, multi-file affairs that break easily. Export As WAV (unless you have many layers) and move that.
Koz
Koz
Re: Can't Open Project File
No, the frustrating thing is that I didn't do anything to the file, not a thing. I simply saved it before I closed it the last time, and now it just refuses to open. Literally months and months of work has been lost... perhaps I just wasn't praying to the Audacity god's hard enough.
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akcolonial
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Re: Can't Open Project File
Similarly, I don't see why attaching a file to an email should affect the original in any way.
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kozikowski
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Re: Can't Open Project File
<<<I don't see why attaching a file to an email should affect the original in any way.>>>
It doesn't. The AUP file makes it through the email in perfect condition. The AUP file isn't a sound file. It's an XML language Project Manager. It's job is to manage and play all the rest of the files in your show. If you don't send all the rest of the files, too, no show. You can think of the AUP file as paper sheet music.
If you don't believe me, you can open yours up in NotePad and read it.
Here's a simple AUP file I saved as a screen capture graphic.
http://kozco.com/tech/audacity/aup1.jpg
If you told Audacity to copy all the music into itself as it goes, then you can transmit a song by sending the AUP file and the _DATA folder associated with it. I would zip the whole pile before sending it and hope it comes in under 10MB which is the usual limit for email.
Preferences > Audio I/O > Always Copy Audio Into the Project. It may be in a different place on your Audacity.
As far as the original problem; what's the possibility you're filling up your hard drive? The magic phrase is "I've been working on my Project for weeks without paying any attention to how big it's getting." Do you know how to get into the drive properties?
Koz
It doesn't. The AUP file makes it through the email in perfect condition. The AUP file isn't a sound file. It's an XML language Project Manager. It's job is to manage and play all the rest of the files in your show. If you don't send all the rest of the files, too, no show. You can think of the AUP file as paper sheet music.
If you don't believe me, you can open yours up in NotePad and read it.
Here's a simple AUP file I saved as a screen capture graphic.
http://kozco.com/tech/audacity/aup1.jpg
If you told Audacity to copy all the music into itself as it goes, then you can transmit a song by sending the AUP file and the _DATA folder associated with it. I would zip the whole pile before sending it and hope it comes in under 10MB which is the usual limit for email.
Preferences > Audio I/O > Always Copy Audio Into the Project. It may be in a different place on your Audacity.
As far as the original problem; what's the possibility you're filling up your hard drive? The magic phrase is "I've been working on my Project for weeks without paying any attention to how big it's getting." Do you know how to get into the drive properties?
Koz
Re: Can't Open Project File
The safest thing to do is to periodically save with a different name - that way you have a series of projects (.AUP + data folder) at various stages of your work (a comprehensive chain of backups).message wrote:I've been working on a particular project for many weeks, and saving it as i go,
It's a bit late saying that now. But before you do anything else, make a copy of both the AUP file and the data folder. Also make a note of the exact directory location of the originals. If you are running short of disk space, make these copies to an external hard drive, or failing that, to a CD.
What is the total size of your project, and how much free disk space?
9/10 questions are answered in the FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Re: Can't Open Project File
Koz - My problematic projects don't seem to be too large (60MB - 900MB), they were just meticulously detailed...
Steve - I am using a 16GB USB drive for all my projects, as I use a couple of different computers - perhaps this is the problem. The projects range from 60MB to 900 MB, with about 1GB of free space.
Steve - I am using a 16GB USB drive for all my projects, as I use a couple of different computers - perhaps this is the problem. The projects range from 60MB to 900 MB, with about 1GB of free space.
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kozikowski
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Re: Can't Open Project File
<<<I am using a 16GB USB drive for all my projects>>>
That can cause serious problems. The AUP project manager file keeps detailed records of where everything is -- all its operating files and folders and all its sound clips and their names and locations.
Say you went from a computer with one internal hard drive to a computer with two. In one case, your USB drive would mount itself as D: and the second case as E:. All the project addresses and locations would be completely scrambled and your show could be trashed. That's just one example.
You can avoid a lot of these problems by clicking the "Copy All Files" setting in the Audacity preferences. You may be able to rescue this Project by putting the USB drive back in the original machine.
Koz
That can cause serious problems. The AUP project manager file keeps detailed records of where everything is -- all its operating files and folders and all its sound clips and their names and locations.
Say you went from a computer with one internal hard drive to a computer with two. In one case, your USB drive would mount itself as D: and the second case as E:. All the project addresses and locations would be completely scrambled and your show could be trashed. That's just one example.
You can avoid a lot of these problems by clicking the "Copy All Files" setting in the Audacity preferences. You may be able to rescue this Project by putting the USB drive back in the original machine.
Koz