Note transfer not working correctly? Here are a few common causes and the next steps.

Out-of-date version of Scriptation

Please ensure you are running the most current version of Scriptation. To update, head to the App Store.

Transfer performed in the wrong direction

Note Transfer is designed to be initiated from the new draft and pulls notes forward from the old draft into the new. Sometimes, users mistakenly initiate the transfer from the old draft.

To get your file back on track, follow these instructions.

Incorrect transfer selection: Full Draft vs. Collate Pages

Scriptation offers two types of Note Transfers. The process you select will depend on how your production handles revisions.

For transferring notes with Full Scripts, follow this guide to Full Draft Transfer.
For transferring notes with Revised Page Packets, follow this guide to Collate Pages Transfer.

If you have already performed the transfer incorrectly, follow these instructions to get your file back on track.

Document is "flattened"

A flattened document is a PDF file where the contents are no longer recognizable as individual parts, so the Scriptation algorithm (or any PDF program) isn't going to be able to recognize ANY text in the file. This often happens with scanned files and with some watermarking programs.

To check if your PDF has been flattened, try to use the Text Marking Highlight feature. If Highlight does not recognize any text, then the file, unfortunately, has been flattened. Ask your production folks if they can distribute their files differently to ensure everyone can go paperless!

File name Issues

Sometimes file names are several hundred characters long and may include double spaces, multiple mentions of .pdf, or even symbols like: [ { ( * % ^ < >

We recommend making a local copy of your file, renaming to something simple and trying the transfer again.

Added pages are mismarked

The Scriptation algorithm understands Pages in two ways.

Native: Official script pages in their imported order.
Inserted / Added: User-added pages, such as Facing Pages, Sides, and Copied/Pasted pages.

Very rarely, Added Pages get mismarked as Native Pages (or vice versa) and can cause issues with the Note Transfer.

Learn how Master Edit Mode can correct the page assignment as Native vs. Added and set your file back on track.

Format strays from industry standard

Scriptation is optimized to read single-cam and multi-cam industry standard formatting.

Additionally, vertical line spacing is essential for the accuracy of the transfer algorithm. In Final Draft, this setting is called "Leading" and should be set to Normal or Tight.

While you can open and annotate ANY PDF file in Scriptation, with other script formats or documents like musical scores, schedules, run of shows, and contact sheets, transfer features may not work as reliably.

Watermark Issues

Scriptation can understand watermarks from the most commonly used software like Final Draft and Adobe, or document distribution services like DAX, Doczilla, SetKeeper, and many others.

However, a new program occasionally pops up and throws a wrench. Find out what program is being used to create the PDF and what (if any) watermarking program is being used after the initial PDF creation. With more info, we can make a recommendation - as this same issue would be happening to anyone on your production using Scriptation!

Opening or Editing in Other Software

Opening or editing a file annotated in Scriptation in another PDF Viewer or Annotation software or app can corrupt the annotations, so they will not transfer correctly. We recommend only using Scriptation to view and edit Scriptation files.

Having another issue? Get in Touch!

Click the "Send us an email" button below.

What's Next?

Will new revision pages automatically be reflected in page color?
Learn how to Compare Scripts can give you a quick rundown on all that's changed between drafts
How does Scriptation handle A Pages and Deleted Pages?

Updated on: 28/09/2024