Project Folders vanished

[Mirithiar]

Hello,

I have just spent ages loading and organising files into AD on my new iPad. I made 4 project folders to keep things tidier. Out of the blue two of those vanished taking all the files with them No error, nothing - I just exited one of the folders and once back at the main screen these two didn’t exist anymore.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Preventative measures for the future? I’d prefer to be able to organise the files, but is this likely to happen again? Should I remove all files from the remaining project folders?

[DM1]

3 hours ago, Mirithiar said:

Suggestions? Preventative measures for the future?

The projects on the Home Screen are stored in Affinity’s sandbox. Not a good idea as they cannot be moved, copied or easily accessed (should something go wrong). My number one suggestion is to always tap Save to create a xxx.afdesign file that will appear in the default AD storage folder on your iPad or iCloud. That file can be accessed by Files app etc and copied, backed up, moved etc. Much better file security. Better yet, use Save a Copy in the Workscreen Document menu to save every new file you create. You can name the file and navigate to any storage location you like. Just remember to close the new file and open the copy you just saved. That way edits will be automatically saved back to the 'copy' keeping it up to date.🙂

[Mirithiar]

Thanks DM1. So when I import the existing files (say, a hundred files) I should now open each of them separately, go back out to main screen, manually save the file via hamburger menu, and not use project folders for organisation - keep all the files ‘loose’?
 

That adds hours of work and a loooot of mess if there is no way to group all the separate files, I was hoping that this is a bug and there is a better workflow possible. Eh.

[DM1]

8 hours ago, Mirithiar said:

So when I import the existing files (say, a hundred files)

Why import them all to internal memory if you can already access them already from external folder(s)? 

8 hours ago, Mirithiar said:

keep all the files ‘loose’?

Open the Files app, create a suitable folder structure on iPad (or in Cloud) to suit your preferred workflow and import your files there. Much greater flexibility than phoofing around with AD Project folders, easier to access from other apps, and backup later. Won’t disappear like sometimes happens with Project folders in AD.  Having disappeared you are unlikely to recover them. Now THAT 'adds hours  of work and a loooot of mess'.

Use Open/Import from Cloud, you can access any storage location/any hierarchical folder structure. Same with Save (from Document menu).

Your choice of course 😁

[Mirithiar]

Aaaaaaa. They are just kept in memory exclusively when on the main workspace? I can see how that’s not ideal. What’s your workflow? Do you go via your Files folder to open stuff rather than through the app itself then? 

[DM1]

14 minutes ago, Mirithiar said:

Do you go via your Files folder to open stuff rather than through the app itself

No, just tap Open from Cloud within the app, navigate to a local folder or any cloud/network storage device and select your file. If you need to place or embed files the Place option is also able to access all locations.

If you use Open from Cloud, your edits will update the file in the remote folder whenever you tap save. Back up your folders and your work will be secure.

Screenshot shows some of the storage access possibilities and keep in mind you can have hierarchical folders (folders within folders) to organise your work and any assets you need to access.

[Mirithiar]

Thanks, sorted it the way you suggested and no problems so far :]