Saved template

[Zetec7]

I'm new to PSP 2019 (used various versions of PSP for 20+ years, though). I spent hours working on a greeting card, getting it perfect, and when I tried to save the project, the only possible save was as a template, with a new file name.

When I tried to re-open the template/image, etc. I get an error message that the file is not a valid file type. I searched my entire computer, and the file I saved does not exist. All those hours of work, completely wasted.

Anyone know if my file even exists, or did PSP simple delete it? My old PSP7 Pro is STILL my go-to, as I have yet to have a project in PSP 2019 not fail catastrophically. I have wasted entire days on a simple project, only to not be able to save it. Clearly, I wasted my money on PSP 2019. The one thing that works is the never-ending demands to upgrade and spend hundreds of dollars more....on something that doesn't work.

Can you tell I'm frustrated?? The CD's for this program are going in the fireplace, or maybe I'll use it as a paint can drip coaster. I've asked for assistance before, and never got usable assistance.

Anyone know of a better (i.e. working) program outside of PhotoShop?

[Jean-Luc]

I tried to save the project, the only possible save was as a template, with a new file name.

How did you start first? Creating a blank image? Loading a template and modifying it? Loading an image?
What do you mean by "save the project"? Did you click on Save, Save as, Save copy as, Save for Office? Or something different? Did you save in pspimage format?

All those hours of work, completely wasted.

You should see your project in -> File/Recent file
As you are a PSP long time user, you know you will NEVER work on a project without saving it from time to time, for example, every 15 minutes with a new name.
Do you have the automatic save enabled? -> File/Preferences/Autosave settings

[patara]

Anyone know if my file even exists, or did PSP simple delete it?

If you had AutoSave set, then you may find a copy of the temp file in AppData/Local/Temp/Corel. I've managed to get back lost files from the Temp folder.