unable to delete Project Folders

[gewb]

I use an SQLite3 DB editor to rename or remove user created project folders from the main VS database file and the user status ini file.

Still playing around with tables and values to try and increase the number of project folders.

Haven't found a way to remove the default folders that many of us wish were gone.

[jowauk]

Thanks gewb

Interesting ...

So the VS storage (of Libraries) is handled by an SQL db, and SQLite3 is an editor for SQL db ?

I believe I know what CAUSED my VS Library to become broken, and that responsibility sits with Corel, and how they ADDED additional default Library folders without considering the impact on those users who were already AT MAX limit for folders.

You are suggesting that I CAN EDIT the tables stored and in the process I can REMOVE some redundant folders, thereby taking the Library folder limits to BELOW the max limiting factor ?

Can you confirm that this is possible (in your view - no guarantees needed).

Currently my VS is unusable - being able to remove redundant folders would theoretically leave headroom and the current FAULT of not being able to either delete or add new folders is ALL that I seek.

TWO months into this FAULT Corel are STILL unable to offer any FIX. Before I jump ship I am happy to try anything within reason.

Never heard of the SQLite3 product but I assume it comes with enough DOC to help me get off the ground with it.

Am I LIKELY to fall foul of COREL then accusing me of BREAKING their software ? If this DOES enable a FIX to my issue, why on earth have Corel Support not attemted using it to achieve a FIX ??

I will grab the software over the weekend and have a bash early next week.

THANK YOU for the steer.

[gewb]

"So the VS storage (of Libraries) is handled by an SQL db, and SQLite3 is an editor for SQL db ?"

SQLite3 is the version of DB. I use a simple DB browser to open and edit the DB file (see further down).

C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Ulead Systems\Corel VideoStudio Pro (x64)\24.0\VideoStudioDatabase.db

"I believe I know what CAUSED my VS Library to become broken, and that responsibility sits with Corel, and how they ADDED additional default Library folders without considering the impact on those users who were already AT MAX limit for folders."

Sounds correct and has been discussed in the forum.

"You are suggesting that I CAN EDIT the tables stored and in the process I can REMOVE some redundant folders, thereby taking the Library folder limits to BELOW the max limiting factor ?"

Correct within limits: you can rename or remove YOUR projects in the Project Library folder. I haven't been able to remove the VS default folders (Samples, Backgrounds)

"Can you confirm that this is possible (in your view - no guarantees needed)."

Yes.

"Currently my VS is unusable - being able to remove redundant folders would theoretically leave headroom and the current FAULT of not being able to either delete or add new folders is ALL that I seek."

If you remove project folders that you added to the library in order to reach MaxLimit -1, then you have that room to maneuver.

"Never heard of the SQLite3 product but I assume it comes with enough DOC to help me get off the ground with it."

It will get you confused. You only need to change one table in one DB file. Easier for me to describe or make a live screen video.

"Am I LIKELY to fall foul of COREL then accusing me of BREAKING their software ?"

The software is already broken. All you are doing is attempting to salvage your work. What this excercise does does not change their program.

"If this DOES enable a FIX to my issue, why on earth have Corel Support not attemted using it to achieve a FIX ??"

This goes beyond the pay grade of technical support technicians - this is DB dev/admin level.

"I will grab the software over the weekend and have a bash early next week."

https://sqlitebrowser.org/dl/

NEVER work with the original file! COPY the file to a different directory for safe keeping.

[lata]

Thanks gweb,
interesting tool.
Even though I had no idea of how to use SQL did manage to id a library folder exported from 2019.
The name had a number before the actual name, not sure where that came from? I simply deleted that entry which was also removed from the VS library.
A second attempt and I struggled finding the details in SQL, took a while but eventually deleted another, just a learning curve.

What I would like to do is edit in SQL to allow the folders to be deleted via Video Studio.

By the way....modifying the data base had no adverse effect on VS, indeed did as required to remove one of my own folders.

Oh that was working with 2021, I could not find the same db in 2020?

[gewb]

Hello Trevor -

"The name had a number before the actual name, not sure where that came from?"

That field is a unique 32 character (+ dashes) ID that can be assigned and used by Windows. I'm sure you have seen those long alpha-numeric strings many times (just look into the registry). With VS the field is not used.

"I simply deleted that entry which was also removed from the VS library."

That is what I found happens (as it should).

"A second attempt and I struggled finding the details in SQL, took a while but eventually deleted another, just a learning curve."

A steep curve. The table you want is on the Browse Data tab, Table: FOLDER_TABLE.

"What I would like to do is edit in SQL to allow the folders to be deleted via Video Studio."

If the folders are yours (you created) then change the folder entry lines (there may be more than one) TRUSTY_TYPE value to "121029" (without quotes). Make the change in the large upper right text box under Edit Database Cell, then click Apply. That should change the flag to removable. This will not work for the VS default entries as they appear to be reloaded by a function outside of the DB.

"By the way....modifying the data base had no adverse effect on VS, indeed did as required to remove one of my own folders."

See last sentence above.

"Oh that was working with 2021, I could not find the same db in 2020?"

I don't have 2020 load, sorry.

NOTE: I am not a DBA, just know enough to be dangerous!

[lata]

Just to say..... the folder names containing numbers before the names were only for libraries imported from 2019 which is good to id those folders.

I will import 2019 libraries to 2020 to see if that creates the db file, tomorrow, not on the pc at the moment.

[gewb]

Interesting. All of the FOLDER_TABLE entries in my 2021 DB file are all zeroes.

[lata]

Video Studio libraries were updated as of 2021 to use the DB file, previous versions used a series of files and folders for the library, can be seen if we Export the library, 2021 just shows the one file
VideoStudioDatabase.db
I believe it is this change that is causing problems when importing the library from 2019, I have tested imports from 2020 to 2021 and do not have this problem of deleting folders, I will double check that later, I wonder how X10 does?

Post updated - libraries imported from X10 also have problems in deleting the folders, seems the problem affects all versions other than 2020.

Opening the DB using SQL I can see the folders listed in Browse Data tab – Folder_Table
Attached image shows 3 folders that have been imported from 2019 having the numbers before the names makes identifying easy. These 3 folders cannot be deleted from Video Studio.
Deleting those using SQL does clear the 2021 library.

[gewb]

Thanks for the screen shot as now I see the number you referred to.

So, indeed it appears that the VS import function needs some tuning.

[lata]

Hi Gewb
I have not had that much time to test or study this, just a little busy of late.

Just read your replies again regarding Trusty Types and setting as 121029
That works a treat and allows me to delete / rename the folder, previously greyed out
Good shout, thanks very much.

Should not take Corel long to provide a fix to set 121029 for user created folders, if they can bother, maybe 2022

By the way I deleted Samples within SQL which also removed that from the library, I recall reading that you could not do that ???????

[gewb]

"Just read your replies again regarding Trusty Types and setting as 121029
That works a treat and allows me to delete / rename the folder, previously greyed out
Good shout, thanks very much."

Good to hear that is working for you.

"Should not take Corel long to provide a fix to set 121029 for user created folders, if they can bother, maybe 2022"

If they can bother, indeed.

"By the way I deleted Samples within SQL which also removed that from the library, I recall reading that you could not do that ???????"

Not sure why I didn't get it to delete. Perhaps I missed an entry. I, too, have been really busy. Maybe by next weekend I can look into it some more.

[lata]

Well next week is definitely out, as of Friday we fly to Italy to start a 30 day holiday, a cruise of the Mediterranean, Initially booked and cancelled when Covid first struck, rebooked twice, now finally should be go.
Mind you we have to take a Covid test Fit to Fly and pass that, in fact just trying to arrange that now, a bit of a minefield.

[gewb]

Enjoy your holiday and stay safe! VS isn't going anywhere.

[lata]

Although i was able to delete Samples the folder did return showing at the bottom of the library list, that went un-noticed, I assume returned on the first reboot of the program.
But the ability to change the user folders options allowing us to delete them is great and easy to do.

[jowauk]

So sorry I have lost the threads of what works and what doesnt.

I am using VS2020. It has the options to DELETE and RENAME Library folders greyed out and consequently as things stand I cannot create any NEW work since my Libraries have MAXXED out caused by Corel adding NEW EXTRA Library default folders (my Library was already at MAX). Corel have been TOTALLY UNABLE to fix this so I am left using a tool that is not fit for purpose.

Other posts here suggest that if I tried to upgrade to VS2021 that will NOT fix my inherent issue.

In THESE posts it looks like I may be able to use the SQL utility to DELETE and/or RENAME redundant folders. I DO have several folders that I am HAPPY to lose, but VS2020 will not let me remove them.

Please clarify - WILL the SQL tool work for me on VS2020 assuming all I really want it to do is REMOVE 4 or 5 folders and their contents - content which I can live without.

THANKS for the hope you are offering here - Corel have proved useless, there is no other word for it. The most recent guy involved was reputed to be the best of the best - naaa......

John