Confused about saving a project

[rkstudio]

I'm just getting back into making videos and I'm confused about a certain problem concerning saving a project.

I'm not sure why this happens but when I save a project, sometimes it doesn't save the changes in the folder I created in VS (VS Ult. Pro 9). It's missing the thumbnail and the whole part of the project I was working on last night, but when I bring up the project by clicking "Open Project", it opens the whole project, but still without one of the thumbnails of the part of the project I was working on.

I guess my question is, why would I make a folder if the folder doesn't save the information I was working on? Is it only for holding parts of my videos until I use them and then they are deleted from the folder?

Here's a couple of images to try to illustrate my problem:
Also, for some reason the first image only includes the last part of the video I was working on instead of the whole clip that I edited.

Is this all because I'm doing something wrong when I save the project?

[aljimenez]

I think nobody has figured out what your problem is, else someone would have tried to help.

Perhaps you should try once again with some very specific issue rather than such a broad post. What is one thing that you want and what is it that the program did that you did not expect. Focus on one thing that is getting on your way to accomplish making your video story.

[BrianCee]

Videostudio neither adds or deletes items to the library - YOU are the only one who adds or deletes - if you do not add clips to the library when you save then they will not be there

Your project is what is in the timeline - when you save you save the timeline - so when you open the project again everything will appear in the timeline -- if you are saying that clips are not coming back then you have a problem -- are you making sure that "File >> Save" is the last thing you do before closing Videostudio - - are you sure you are NOT doing "File >> Save as" which will create a new project maybe with a different name - then you open the original next time

the libraries are just a convenience for YOU - it is not compulsory - in fact I know some of out members never use the libraries in Videostudio preferring instead to add direct to the timeline from Windows File Explorer

as long as everything comes back in the timeline when you open your project that is the correct procedure


...

[Ron P.]

I'm just getting back into making videos and I'm confused about a certain problem concerning saving a project.

I'm not sure why this happens but when I save a project, sometimes it doesn't save the changes in the folder I created in VS (VS Ult. Pro 9). It's missing the thumbnail and the whole part of the project I was working on last night, but when I bring up the project by clicking "Open Project", it opens the whole project, but still without one of the thumbnails of the part of the project I was working on.

I guess my question is, why would I make a folder if the folder doesn't save the information I was working on? Is it only for holding parts of my videos until I use them and then they are deleted from the folder?

Here's a couple of images to try to illustrate my problem:
Also, for some reason the first image only includes the last part of the video I was working on instead of the whole clip that I edited.

Is this all because I'm doing something wrong when I save the project?

The folder(s) do save what you're working on. So long as you've added whatever media being used, be video, photos, audio, ect; to the libraries. The Libraries provide a convenient place to have your materials needed for projects. You are also aware that those clips in the library are not actually in VS? They are place holder thumbnails, leading to where you have them stored on your computer.

You can drag a clip that you have worked on in the timeline, to the Library folder. That creates a virtual copy. It will show your mark-in/out, and retain filters ect. You can also choose to store VideoStudio Projects in a Library. Just use the Browse function, navigate on your system where you have your project stored and select it. Then from the Library drag and drop onto the timeline. You'll see that all clips in all tracks are there.

[gewb]

In the simplest terms, VS is database program that calls various modules. Those modules are designed to perform a specific function upon objects (media files) used in a project (your video).

The term "library" only mean a collect of objects (your media files), that you have inserted (or came with VS), at their saved location on your storage media and displayed as thumbnails in the library pane.

When you make a library in VS all you are doing is creating and displaying a list of objects - you are not creating a new folder on your storage media nor are you duplicating your media files. Libraries are for your organizational convenience, a virtual container that displays thumbnails of the media files you want to see as you may want to use them in the project.

When you add a "folder" you are creating a filtered sub list of library objects. This is useful in several ways to organize your objects. I use folders based on individual projects - each folder list library objects directly related to the project. One could also make media specific folders such as music files based on genre. Here again the folder structure is for your organizational convenience.

When you create a project, the project VSP file gives all of the instructions to assemble the project - media file names, time points, effects, durations, everything. When you insert an object in your project the VSP files records all related information and instructions to individual modules. Note that the VSP file doesn't care if you use libraries as those objects are just pointers (symbolic links aka symlinks). If you insert an object to the timeline using the Windows Explorer file manager it is the same thing, inserting a symlink in the VSP file.

How you use these tools is up to you. Every person or organization has workflows deigned for specific reasons (or no reason at all). Workflow design could be an interesting sticky topic for the forum!

I hope I didn't make this post too simple, too complex or too confusing. If I did, please ignor.

Regards,
GEWB