library organiser and work folder

[Schwarzenegger]

When it comes to file organising I am sure I am not the brightest of sparks. So I have a big problem in understanding how the library organiser works. As far as I can tell the the library does not hold the actual clips but are just place holders for the clips that are held somewhere else.
Question: is that somewhere else the "My Projects" folder? I found around 800 project-related bits and pieces there and would like to clear it out a bit but how do I know which uvs...blahblah belongs to which project? I have moved some clips into a new library folder but this folder is not visible as a computer file. It appears that it is an internal place holder like you find in itunes for example. Then I suppose that removing a clip from a library does not physically remove it from the computer .
I suppose I should have started a new work folder with each new project and deleted it after the project is finished. Is this correct?
Question: Do I now have to finish my current projects and then clear the "My Projects" folder or is there something less drastic and more sophisticated that I can do to bring some order in this chaos?
Next question: Why is this file organisation to damn difficult ?

[lata]

Hi

Yes you should create a new folder for each project you work on
You can then allocate that folder as your working folder.

Sounds like you are well and truly mixed up, not you personally your files?

There is a process called Smart Package, I think you will be best to use this option.
Smart Package creates copies of the projects content and saves them to a new folder, along with the VSP.

If you do this for each of your projects then in theory you should be able to clean your old files/folders.

If you are unsure about deleting a video file, try moving it to another location. If it is needed then the Video Studio Project will request a re-link.

The My Projects folder has been created by the Corel software as a default folder used to save project files and maybe other files.
Once you start creating your own folders for each project then this folder would not be required.
I cannot simply tell you to delete the content without knowing if it is needed, and that’s the problem you have.

The file organisation is not difficult, its just a matter of good housekeeping.
Once you have individual folders allocated to a particular projects, things will get easier.

How many projects do you have on the go at the moment?
Try Smart Package

[Schwarzenegger]

I have 9 projects on my computer, 3 of which are unfinished. I have used Smart Package on one of these projects and it worked fine. You have also answered my last question. I searched my downloaded VS3 manual and there is no mention of Smart Package. There are many other examples of shortcomings in this manual: even when it mentions the function of a certain feature it does not usually show you how to use it. I got a bit of help from Neil Mehta's tutorials but by and large the manual and the Corel Help feature, which is just a rehash of the manual anyway, are grossly inadequate. And that is why it is all so damn difficult.
Thanks very much for your help. The project I am working on at present now has its own library and its own work folder.

Cheers,
Schwarzenegger

[coreldb]

I realize this is an older topic, but for those who still may be reading here... Schwarzenegger says: I searched my downloaded VS3 manual and there is no mention of Smart Package. The reason for this is I believe Smart Package wasn't a feature until VS X4 (not in his VS X3)

[lata]

Hi

Smart Package is featured in Video Studio since X2 (VS12)