VideoStudio 2021 content file locations

[Ruth]

In PaintShop Pro (my last version is 2022) I can find the file locations for PaintShop components - brushes, gradients, masks and so on in file/preferences/file locations, and I can easily add different folder paths to point the program to access additional content in my own files.
I am just getting back into my VideoStudio 2021 and I was trying to organize my files and put some previous free content (that I had downloaded from Corel) into the right places for the program to find it. I also wanted to see where the bonus items, audio, proDAD and so on, downloaded to. There is no similar file/preferences/file location option in VideoStudio that I could find. I checked program files, documents, program data and found some but still not most of the files. I opened each category directly in VideoStudio and right clicked on several to find 'locate on computer' if that was an option and wrote those down (some did not have that option). Even in a single category; Backgrounds/Images, there are several locations I've found - VideoStudio Content and VideoStudio 2021/Samples/Images or Decoration.
My first question is: where are all these content files located? If I make, buy or get free content I would like to either put Corel content in the proper Corel VideoStudio folders or put them in my own folders and tell VideoStudio where to get to this content.
My second question is: while I was looking for all these elements I found some of the audio files which matched the sound effects file in program files/videostudio content/samples and then I found the Scorefitter file in program files/VideoStudio 2021/Scorefitter, but there was a lot more content in that file group that doesn't show up in the program itself and the import audio files is not available (greyed out). How do I get the program to see these?

I have searched for Corel VideoStudio file locations and looked over the videos in the Discovery Center with no luck. Any help and/or direction would be greatly appreciated!

[lata]

Hi Ruth
and welcome to the forums

Yes it can be confusing as to the locations of the programs Sample files, Templates etc.
For our own files Video, Audio, Images it is quite straight forward.
I manage my files using windows explorer saving my files to folders on my hard drive.
From there I can add files to either the timelines are the library, creating my own library folder for those files. A right click on the timeline or library for Insert options.
I only use the library for current files that are being used on my project and not a complete media library, Windows Explorer does that.
Programs installation files……….

The programs Samples clips are a little more confusing as to their location.
When we download the program we get several folders, if we were to install the basic program Trial or Pro version the Background samples would be limited, the files being saved to here……
This will also affect the Templates and Overlays.
C:\Program Files\Corel\Corel VideoStudio 2021\Samples\

When we install the full version the additional contents are installed to ……
C:\Program Files\Corel\Corel VideoStudio Content
This is a relatively new folder introduced with VS 2019, all/most content here being used by all versions of Video Studio since 2019.
It has been updated with each version of VS including 2022 / 2023 who tell a different story.

Corel have reduced the size of the downloaded installation files, they were getting on the large size.
All extra content has been removed, so installation is again limited to the C:\Program Files\Corel\Corel VideoStudio 2022-23\Samples\
When we install VS 2022 or 2023 without earlier installations the C:\Program Files\Corel\Corel VideoStudio Content folder remains empty
All additional content being available from the Welcome screen – Store – Free section.

So two locations, one for the basic program and one for extra contents
C:\Program Files\Corel\Corel VideoStudio 2021\Samples\
C:\Program Files\Corel\Corel VideoStudio Content

Some content available from the Welcome Store
You mentioned ProDad
Adorage volume and Roto Pen and Script is also available to install.
Along with the AR Stickers starter pack.

Other locations
For Templates - C:\Users\User Name\Documents\Corel VideoStudio Pro\VSPTemplate
May not show unless you have installed / saved a template.
Bonus Content, includes Images, Audio, Video samples, to use we have to import to VS Library, just like importing our own clips.
C:\Users\trevo\Documents\Corel VideoStudio Pro\Bonus Content

Ok a lot going on here, come back with any specific issues regarding your free packs, what are they?

[Ruth]

Thank you for your fast reply. When you say you manage your files using windows explorer - I imagine you are talking about project files not VS specific files? If you make or import your own content to use for other projects - how do you/does the program know where to look for it again? For example a png file - if I have one in my paintshop folders that I'd like to use - I would like it to be in a VS folder rather than leaving it where it is for paintshop - if I left it in the paintshop folder (or where ever) then I could not change that folder (the PSP one) or the VS would not see it in the library section.

I did figure out how to get some of the content I had in C:\Users\Ruth\Documents\Corel Video Template Bundle - I had bundle 1,2,3 and none of those templates showed up in the templates folder in VS. I also had an overlays pack some of which where in VS but most where not as well as some AR stickers. I had to run each template separately - when I ran the exe file for each template it downloaded to a new folder C:\Users\Ruth\Documents\Corel VideoStudio Pro\VSPTemplate - not the template file in C:\Users\Ruth\Documents\Corel VideoStudio Pro\24.0\VSPTemplate. Then I could then import it to the library and see them when I restarted the program and opened the template icon in the library.

I am finding other files in Prodad and Program Data that don't show up in VS under any of the library icons, but I am going to concentrate on learning VS. I am going to make a new folder in C:\Users\Ruth\Documents\Corel VideoStudio Pro\ and put any content that I will use again into this - then import them to the VS libraries - this should work as long as I don't move or rename the file?

Thank you again for your help.

[Davidk]

hi Ruth,
The real problem is you remembering where the photo (or video/audio clip) you used is on your computer: the software remembers where components of a project file are located, and you can use it to find any clip you used.

Several points . .
1. file organization
I tutored Vs for many years, and the most frequent question I got from students was "where did I put that file??", and because they had no system and could not remember, commonly the result was copies of it all over the computer, which was really a waste of space. The most important thing here is to organise your DATA in a way that you can readily remember it, individually so you can use the same data for any project and app you have. Apps like VS and PSP allow you to store data using the software, but changing the software typically would delete the data along with the program. So storing data seperately from the software is really essential to avoid a lot of stress. And thus the statement about where you readily remember it.
Using my practice as an example . . I store all media data (video photos and audio clips) on a seperate drive or folder (one each for video, photos and audio) on a unique, non-C hard drive of my PC. That way, remembering what type of file it is is all I have to worry about. Within each file type, I have them organised by folder based how I got the clips, typically specific holidays or events and I use the same folder structure in each media folder. For example, a folder "holidays 2016 japan" will appear in each media type folder tree, and the reason I do it that way is ensure I can identify where or when a clip was originated. See example screenshot for photos attached, with one image of Mt Fuji in japan highlighted as the photo I used to illustrate finding a clip within VS (next section). This works for a typical install where the app software is on the C drive, or a custom install where the app software is on a non-C drive. But how you organise the data is your choice: pick a method that you find easily remembered, and stick with it.

2. locating a project file within VS
When you have selected a clip to be used in a project file (using explorer and drag n drop, or by rt-click in the timeline and select type/picture, navigate to the folder and choose the image needed: 2 methods, both work), the project file remembers the clip file name and the drive/path to get it. If you want to use that image again but cannot remember where it is (see 1 above) you can use VS to do that for you; select the clip, rt-click and at the bottom of the list box is a 'locate on computer" option (see screenshot). click on that and the drive and folder path with the image used will be displayed for you, see image above

[Ruth]

Thank you! I was overthinking the process - I actually do have a decent filing system for clips, photos and audio that are not on my C drive. I was getting bogged down with VS component locations within the program itself - filters/overlays/transitions and so on - I like to know where things are and I had done that with PSP (which helped me understand it more too) and when I made my own components - frames/backgrounds/brushes and so on I made folders on a different drive for PSP. The PSP program made it pretty easy to point the program to my own files when I selected brushes (for example) and those would then show up in it's brush library. I think that's what threw me - I was looking for a similar setup - I had found VS content in my documents folder that didn't show up in VS (template bundles, overlays) and that started this whole find Waldo thing. But reading your reply - it made sense that I could do that for VS in sort of the same way - that instead of these components showing up when I open (for example) overlays - that I could navigate to that folder and choose the one I want for the project without actually 'importing' it to VS just to have it sit with the other VS overlays file (I still haven't found that yet lol). For future Corel VS products I buy I will make sure I open and import them asap so I know that they are inputted promptly and show up in VS.
Thank you again - your help is very much appreciated!

[lata]

Hi Ruth
Overlays as David mentions a right click on a clip has an option for Locate on Computer
most clips are PNG having a transparent background, inserting those to the overlay track will show over the top track.
There is an icon for the track manager to the left of the tracks, the one with + - , ( or Settings - Track Manager) here you can increase the overlay tracks.

Templates as you have installed at least one of those you have found the Welcome Store - Free packs
Apologies regarding the VSPTemplate folder, I don't know why there are 2 folders?

There is a problem with the templates 1,2,3 in that they have not been updated in quite a few years, last time was using VS X10.
Some of the Templates 1,2 and 3 contain SWF ( Flash) files that should create a small effect, i repeat a small effect, maybe a twinkling star or a falling leaf.
Flash files are no longer supported by Windows so these files will no longer work.
Corel have not updated these files.
Unfortunately we cannot play the template before installation so have no idea what we are installing.
All i can suggest you search the VSPTemplate folder for .swf.

At the time I did convert some of the swf to Mov, updating the template.
So if you see one you particular like I may have the new Mov file.

Graphics pack
This installs / extracts its content to a folder on our desktop, contains multiple .exe files.
Each installs approx 5 clips, BG01 are backgrounds, CP Colour Pattern, FR Frames, OB Objects etc.

OK you mentioned ProDad
Again some content is missing from the installation but available from the store
RotoPen , Scripts, Adorage Vol 13 and 9, if you use Adorage these should be installed.

[Ruth]

Thank you - I did find BG01files! Now I know what they are!