What are Blocked Tracks? How do I unblock them?

BJsBus wrote on 1/10/2024, 1:37 PM

Movie Studio Platinum 2023: When I try to create a slideshow using the Wizard Slideshow Maker I immediately see an error message: "One or more tracks are blocked in the current movie. Please unblock the respective tracks so that the Slideshow Maker can be used successfully". I have made slideshows in the past with no problems. I can export these same video and audio tracks to MP4 with no errors. I can not find any information on Blocked Tracks or how to unblock them. I would appreciate any help.

Burt

Device name   Dell8950
Processor   12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-12700 2.10 GHz
Installed RAM   32.0 GB (31.7 GB usable)
System type   64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX3060Ti

Comments

Former user wrote on 1/10/2024, 3:07 PM

@BJsBus Hi, can you post a picture of the error msg or a short video full screen capture of what happens, you can upload pictures & video using the arrow button next to the smiley at the top of a new comment,

Also can you click your icon at the top of this page - My Profile & fill in your Signature with the full name of your CPU, GPU & amount of RAM, also inc the Windows & Magix version, this will then show at the bottom of your comments,

BJsBus wrote on 1/19/2024, 3:32 PM

Hi Gid, Sorry for the delayed reply as business called out of town. Here is a screenshot of the error message. I also have a few short mp4 videos in the slideshow which is a total time of approx 1hr 15min.

Thanks for your help,

Burt

johnebaker wrote on 1/20/2024, 2:12 AM

@BJsBus

Check that none of the tracks are 'locked' as shown below

You will need to also check empty tracks, however the lock status will not appear until there is an object on the track, placing a single image on a track and then move it down one track at a time to see if the lock symbol is orange.

John EB
Forum Moderator

browj2 wrote on 1/20/2024, 1:27 PM

@BJsBus

Hi,

When I try to create a slideshow using the Wizard Slideshow Maker I immediately see an error message: "One or more tracks are blocked in the current movie. Please unblock the respective tracks so that the Slideshow Maker can be used successfully".

Your photos and videos should all be on track 1. Exception is if you have Audio/Video set for separate tracks, which is ok.

There should be nothing on any other tracks within the range (if you set a range and check the box in the Wizard) of the material that you are going to send to the SlideShow Wizard - nothing, no music, no titles. If you have already put material in the movie that will not be used by the Wizard, I suggest that you move the material for the Wizard to a separate Movie (you do know how to use separate Movie?), do it there, then move the result to your main Movie.

The SlideShow Wizard will do all of the things that you ask of it, including creating collages and adding music. The music will put on track 5, for example. Collages can put objects (photos) overlaid on many tracks. So, the SlideShow Wizard needs a clean slate to work with.

You undoubtedly have material that is in the way and the Wizard is telling you to move it out of the way.

In the image below, I show the result of using a range to create the SlideShow. The Wizard put a title on track 3 and music on track 5. The videos on track 1 are outside of the range and were not included.

In the image below, I asked for a collage which is on tracks 6 through 9, a start title and ending credits (title).

That is why nothing should be in the way of the SlideShow.

John CB

BJsBus wrote on 1/20/2024, 2:52 PM

Thanks very much John for your response. I now understand the concept of the Wizard looking for a clean slate except for the photos and videos on track 1. I understand how the music is placed on track 5. What I do not understand is in your first example you stated that "The Wizard put a title on track 3 ". Where did the Wizard pick up the title and how did it know where to place it?

Burt

browj2 wrote on 1/20/2024, 3:31 PM

@BJsBus

Hi,

In the Wizard, click on the button under Movie: Properties & Title. Under Opening credits, check Custom text, the Edit text, etc.

John CB

browj2 wrote on 1/20/2024, 4:07 PM

I should add that if you make a title like this, once it's on the timeline, you can do whatever you want. It's just a normal title.

BJsBus wrote on 1/25/2024, 1:06 PM

Problem solved. Thanks very much for your help John.