Files & Folders used in VS X5

[Terfyn]

I am having problems sorting out the file structure for VS projects. I have archived a folder of raw video and the Library created by the video clips. Now VS cannot find them and keeps requesting to "Relink" them.
I have "Exported" the library and have re-imported OK but the Relink problem still exists.

Please can anyone explain the filing system to me and advise on "best practice" for archiving legacy video footage.

[BrianCee]

are you archiving on an external hard drive - or on an internal drive.

if you are using an external hard drive you should name the drive letter in windows to ensure that on start up it always has the same drive letter.

When you get the re-link error message - do you then re-link all files that VideoStudio needs to re-link to.

If you have archived the originals do you really need to keep the thumbnails in your library - as long as their there ~VideoStudio will want to find the original videos - why not export the library and then delete the 'live' library in VideoStudio.

VideoStudio will only try to relink if you have thumbnails related to the archived videos in a library - or have used any of the archived videos in a project which you open.

With regard to file structure VideoStudio stores all user files wherever the user told them to - so the file structure for user generated files is up to you.

[Terfyn]

I am storing to an internal drive at present(C:)
I have not found a way to relink to the existing files yet.
I have exported the project library but when I re-import the same library, the relink problem occurs.

[BrianCee]

When you get the re-link error click on the re-link button - this will open a browse to window with the name of the file VideoStudio is looking for at the top - browse to that file and click on it and then OK and VS will re-link - usually all missing files if they are in the same folder.

Why are you exporting and re-importing the library - once you have it keep it.

[Terfyn]

Tried that without success.

I transferred the files from the original folder "MyVideos" to an new folder "MyOldVideos".This will not relink. I returned the files to MyVideos and the link was restored. So far so good.
BUT when I load new video where can I put it? Does it have to be in a folder named MyVideos or can I load it into a new folder? Is there any way of getting VSX5 to look at a new file path?

The Relink button always puts me into My Projects which, I think, lives under Coral VideoStudio. I can recover the rendered film from there but not the clips.

I am still not clear where VS wants to store the various files, library and rendered files. I noticed that the Exported Library had full files and not just pointers to other folders which makes it more confusing. How can I make VS5 grab and hold the raw footage as well as the rendered file?

Sorry about the mass of questions but the User Guide is virtually useless on this point and I have not found a tutorial covering the subject.

[lata]

Hi Terfyn

When you add a clip, any clip Video, Audio or Photo to the Timeline or Library video studio shows the clip as a Thumbnail a “Virtual clip”.
These clips are linked to the original files location on the hard drive, not only recognised by their location but their names as well.

If you change their location on the hard drive or re-name them or re=name the folder they are in Video Studio will loose their location and request a re-link.

If you Export the library then modify your files, Importing the library may well request a re-link as the imported library is looking for the files in an old location.

Organising your files using Windows Explorer will cause Video Studio to request a re-link.

As Brian mentioned the re-link window will indicate the file it is looking for, indicating the last known location.
Do a search of your pc to locate the file.

Please take care when re-linking as it is possible to fool Video Studio and link to the wrong file.

[BrianCee]

The re-link button may by default open showing the 'My projects' folder - so just CHANGE IT - exactly as you would with any programme - like for instance Microsoft word - when you click open in word it may open a particular folder (usually the last one you used) but you then just change to another folder where you know your files are - do just the same with VideoStudio - use the controls along the top of the re-link window to change to the folder where you know your files are.

For your own videos and images you can put them ANYWHERE on your computer - VideoStudio has no fixed folders for user files - as long as you let it know where they are when it looses track of them.

[Terfyn]

Thank you all for the advice. I will try what you have suggested.