re-installation losing library? VS-X7

[tanguero]

Oh, that's a good tip - Thanks!

[Hans1234]

From wintersport I received 4 folders with hundreds of clips which I have on my C:drive. First I put all clips from folder 1 in the library. From this folder I selected the useful files I cut them and I put it in another folder in my library called "selection". I did the same with the other 3 folders. This took me all lot of time. Without deleting anything on my C:drive I got the problem that the program doesn't start up anymore. Indeed the library seems corrupted.

I think we can conclude that we can't fix this anymore.

But, for the next time. Is there something wrong with the way I'm working? Is there a better way of selecting and cutting the useful clips? I don't want to take the risk again of losing my library.

[tanguero]

Logically, there is nothing wrong with the way you're doing things. The problem is that the implementation of the VS library is extremely poor with the result that it is not robust at all. They are trying to do the function of a basic file system, which needs to be a very robust piece of software (NTFS evolved after decades of file system experience), without anything close to the attention to robustness that a piece of software like that needs.

The saving grace is that, as lata pointed out earlier in this thread, the sanctity of the library is over-rated (those are my reinterpretation of his words ...). If you treat it is a working area for a current project (as lata said he does, and which system I instantly decided to adopt, specifically because of these problems) rather than as a permanent repository for your VS installation, there's much less trauma all around.

In your case, I would organize the various clips and so on in Windows folders as the "permanent repository," rather than in VS libraries, browse those folders when you're looking for something to use in a project, and just import the ones you decide to use into your working project library. The Windows file system folder structure is way more robust (not to mention flexible).

[lata]

I think we can conclude that we can't fix this anymore.

Maybe, but I don't give up that easy, besides modifying your workflow, approach to using the library may be the way.

Hans
I have been trying to replicate your library fails by creating extra folders, adding files from various locations, external drives etc. indeed adding VSP’s so far unable to force a fail.

Your comment regarding cutting……..

I assume you are adding clips to the timeline, trimming the clips then adding to a new library folder.
You could actually trim them in the library, not that that matters.

I have used the same process adding trimmed clips to the library, but not the amount you have done, and not stored there for long periods.

I wonder if that’s the problem---adding a lot of trimmed clips to the library.
Then if you moved the original files on the hard drive, time for more tests, fill my library with trimmed clips..........

Why do you feel the need to copy the trimmed clips to the library?

Once you have trimmed the clips why don’t you simply save the timeline as a project – VSP, File – Save As that would retain your cuts, additional cuts, simply File Save.

[Davidk]

Good file management practices are the core of an easy life with VS. Some of the following have been covered by Lata and others but summarised here:
1. try and install your application software and data in separate folders (1 for programs and 1 for data, eg your camcorder clips photos etc) that are NOT in the C drive. Note that the Corel default is on C so it works, but C is the most used drive on any system. If it fails (mechanical problem, AV data corruption or simply the OS software corrupts), everything is lost and you start again after replacing it. With the application on separate drive/folder, anything that happens to C does not mean your video stuff is lost. With separate folders for each version of the program and also any data data, you can un-install/re-install any program version without impacting another version or any data.
2. In the data folder, make sub-folders for every project and the clips for it.
3. use the library mainly for common Corel gallery items. You can use it for reference to the contents of projects, but you have already found out that its hard to manage when everything is in one bit bucket, and problems arise easily, especially if you are using data from a removable drive (usb stick, sd card, ext HDD): gallery items contain a yellow flag when they are on devices that are not connected, and projects often will re-link because the ext store with the related data is not connected, causing a lot of frustration.
4. The standard Corel items in the gallery - video, photo and music clips, objects, frames etc - basically the things you see in the library/gallery when using the library tool bar are all stored by Corel in the application samples folder. And Corel sometimes changes these from version to version. So copy the samples folder of the VS you use to another (well remembered) folder place, see these examples from my machine (1st, the program samples folder)

(and now where I put it, with samples from several prior versions in one folder, subfolder for each version)

and if after a version upgrade your project does not run as you recalled it because of those changes to a sample item eg a frame or image clip, you can re-link them to the right ones in your old samples collection.

Davidk

[Hans1234]

From my previous experience with "crashed" library I learned to not use the library at all, but just put all my usefull clips on the timeline and making a smartpackage after every time I worked on the project. Now I have a smartpackage which I cannot open anymore...

I'm just about to start a new project and I'd like to know what is the safest way to work? I have about 200 video's (3 hrs raw material) and I prefer to go through it one by one and cutting the useful parts.
What I do now is putting them straight away on the timeline, because I don't rely on the library. Then after putting all the useful parts on the timeline I have about 20 mins of video. Then I start editing which results in my final 15 mins. video. But since I have a smartpackage which I cannot open anymore, I'm in doubt this is the safest way to work?

[lata]

Hi
I assume you are trying to open VSP’s with X7 and that the Smart Package was created using X7
Opening VSP project files in a later version should work, and in the past has had little problems
The release of X8 trial caused a lot of problems as existing project could not be used. Only projects created by the trial could be opened.
The complexity of the programs compared to earlier versions may also be causing problems. Opening 32 bit projects with 64 bit programs may also be an issue.

For what its worth I use the Smart Package option and have not had any problems, but I do know of posts where the file could not be opened, unfortunately there was little we could do to open the shall we say corrupt project file.

So what version did you use to create the Smart Package and is it happening with all Smart Packages.?

Can you zip and attach a copy of the VSP, I can try to open the file, wont see any content just receive the re-link, but at least I should be able to open.
At least it proves the VSP as corrupt or not?

[BrianCee]

I do not think you are fully understanding the libraries in Videostudio - there are NO videos in there at all - those little pictures are just links to the real files - if as it sounds you are actually trimming and making real videos of the 'selected' videos and not just making 'virtual' cuts and sliding them to the library then on your hard drive somewhere you have the 'selected' videos - so at any time you can create a new library and simply import all the clips in the 'selected' folder - as I said even if Videostudio knocks out a library the actual videos are still intact.


another alternative you might consider is to put all your 'selected' videos in the timeline and save that as a project - maybe called "selected" (or whatever) then when ever you want them simply open that project and use what clips you need - or temporarily slide a copy into the library for use in other projects - then if you do lose a library again you will still have your 'selected' project to recover the clips again