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Notes App: Frame.IO imports problems: 1)Fails if file open in excel (thus fs semaphor locked?) 2) frameIO reading wrong TC

By Jeremiah Moore @Jeremiah_Moore
    2022-12-06 19:33:17.446Z

    Hi - two issues with Notes import from Frame.IO

    Steps to reproduce:

    • export notes as .csv from frame.io
    • open, edit in excel (mac, latest), save.
    • attempt to import to notes app in soundflow:
    • get error: "System.IO.IOException: The process cannot access the file '/Volumes/JM_WORK_B/JM_WORK_B_Arc9/ACTIVE/p1125 VTOPAZ - By My Side/03 Work/BMS_Mix PT/_Notes/1206/BY_MY_SIDE_v32_120122_ref_LoLow_MixMarried_tctwk.csv' because it is being used by another process."

    If I close the file in Excel it imports OK.
    but I think Notes app does not need write access, so why the error? Maybe some incorrect reading method is specified in code?

    ALSO:
    Frame.IO notes are reading the "Timecode" field
    However, if the media loaded in Frame has actual timecode metadata, the correct field to access from the Frame CSV export is: "Timecode Source" ...
    e.g. if I bounce a review mix from Pro Tools as video, push to frame, and get notes from frame: the "Timecode Source" field with have TC that matches PT.

    I tend to
    I'd propose a "toggle setting" for notes app: "when importing notes from CSV, read TC from field: 'Timecode' / 'Timecode Source'
    not sure where the Notes App has any "settings" panel, so I suppose creating one would be essential.

    thx!!

    Reply
    • 6 replies
    1. Kitch Membery @Kitch2022-12-06 20:48:56.783Z

      Hi @Jeremiah_Moore,

      Thanks for reporting these issues. I've moved this thread to the Support section of the forum.

      For future issues related to Macros or Scripts please use the "Script Help" workflow explained in the following link: bit.ly/sfscripthelp. :-)

      Rock on!

      Reply
      1. In reply toJeremiah_Moore⬆:
        Kitch Membery @Kitch2022-12-06 20:49:30.202Z

        FYI @chrscheuer

        Reply
        1. In reply toJeremiah_Moore⬆:
          Christian Scheuer @chrscheuer2022-12-06 21:00:13.947Z

          It sounds like the file access problem is Excel prohibiting the file from being read. Not much we can do about that, as far as I can see. We do open it in "read" mode exclusively, so this is more about Excel being annoying.

          Thanks for the info about Frame.io notes. Could you provide some examples of exports that have the Timecode and Timecode Source fields, respectively? Would it be enough to just go for the "Timecode Source" if both fields are present, and "Timecode" if that's the only one present?

          Reply
          1. JJeremiah Moore @Jeremiah_Moore
              2022-12-06 22:17:00.593Z

              Microsoft, despite being the first third party Mac developer, apparently cannot make a proper Mac app... ? Excel locks the file, and even breaks if you move or rename the file while it's open... gah.

              At any rate: Major feature requests for Notes to be daily useful:

              • Method for "checking off" notes as done (useless without)
              • Text entry on remote notes instances (iPad for instance...!)

              Appreciate the speedy reply! Thx.
              Kitch - hadn't seen the red get help button. Oddly I looked at the package as I'd recalled a "support forum for this package" type of feature, but it's apparently changed. Being a big red button was apparently exactly what I was prepared to ignore, got knows why.

              Reply1 Like
              1. In reply tochrscheuer⬆:
                JJeremiah Moore @Jeremiah_Moore
                  2022-12-06 22:20:25.002Z

                  Christian -

                  here's link to such file, directly from frame.io
                  https://www.dropbox.com/s/22lhsoogxqxv1xn/BY_MY_SIDE_v32_120122_ref_LoLow_MixMarried.csv.zip?dl=0

                  what you propose would in fact work perfectly... prefer field "Timecode Source", fallback to "Timecode" if no "Timecode Source" present.
                  of course not sure if that would (?) break use-cases for other situations? Hopefully not(!)

                  I wasted so much time on that stupid Excel thing! Thought excel was borking the linefeed type or such... but no, it was just locking the file. So weird.

                  -jeremiah

                  Reply1 Like
                • S
                  In reply toJeremiah_Moore⬆:
                  SoundFlow Bot @soundflowbot
                    2022-12-07 07:47:44.914Z

                    This issue is now tracked internally by SoundFlow as SF-714

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