VideoPad keeps losing my files

Vals_Sweet_Kitchen

If I close a project and leave it for a few days, VideoPad will lose the files. When I open the project, I have to relink all the files -- one by one. I've tried saving the project to a different name, but then both the first vpj and the second lose the files. How Can I prevent this?

[deleted]

That's not normal. You are saving the project I take it? Are you moving or re-naming the files during those "few days" ? In which case opening the saved vpj file means VP won't find them and will prompt you to resolve (find) them in their new location or under their new name. Even if you cleared the cache VP would still be able to reconstruct the project if everything matched taking a little longer in the process. Did you possibly save the project with the files on an external drive which was not present when you tried to reload your project?

It would interesting to know if the location stated in the missing files screen was the same as the location where you eventually found them when you resolved each one... and were the file names the same as the VP window stated? They have to be identical of course for them to be loaded.

Nat

borate

Usually the VPJ control file is in the same folder as the source files. If source files are scattered in different folders, saving the VPJ will still find them.

Never move or rename source files until a project is complete. Save Project File AS routinely, giving it a unique # or name, so as not to overwrite prior saves. Using Save Project Files (no AS) will overwrite. From the HOME tab, that choice is available by clicking the chevron to the right of the Save Project button on the toolbar.

Vals_Sweet_Kitchen

No, I don't move any files and they're all in the same spot. This is how I create my video:

Open Videopad and new project
connect phone to computer. Pop upscreen asks to add files.
Select files to add to the project and download.
Save project with new name like Apple Pie
Work on project and save whenever I'm going to take a break. Save as Apple Pie 1, work on a little more, take a break, save as Apple Pie 2. I've also disconnected my phone during this time.
If I reopen later on, all the files need to be reconnected/resolved. If I export to a video, then I need to reconnect the files.

borate

First, save (copy) the phone files to a PC folder. Then, construct the project by adding files from that folder - not from the phone.

Vals_Sweet_Kitchen

So it was looking for files in the temp and with no phone, it couldn't find them?

borate

Sounds plausible. Try it as suggested and there should be no issue.

Another way to treat this, likely with phone connected, is to use Menu | File | Save Portable Project As. That copies all files on the sequence and writes the VPJ into a folder.

Open the folder, run the VPJ and the project will load.

Vals_Sweet_Kitchen

And then I resolve the files from this new folder where I downloaded from my phone. They should never become unlinked again?

[deleted]

As described...

Load the phone files to a folder on your PC
Disconnect the phone as all the files are now on the PC in a designated folder
Add the required files from that folder to VP
Edit project in VP
At regular intervals Save Project As selecting the designated folder where you have the files.

This will save the vpj file alongside the clips. Use a different name for each save like you did...AP1 AP2 etc. Double clicking any of these vpjs will load the project back to VP in the same state that they were saved. You don't have to save the vpj(s) to the same folder as the clips but its more logical to do so.

There will be no need to resolve any files. Your phone is not involved

Nat

Vals_Sweet_Kitchen

Whew, ya'll saved me alot of trouble. Thanks!