How does a file become a Project?

[TexasJim]

I'm using 2.1.2(downloaded today, 11/17/18), after losing days of work. I can Record multiple tracks, Edit, Mix and Render. I can't Save my files, because they're not a Project. If I Export to a File or Folder, I can't reload it as a "Project". Years ago, I used Audacity with ease on Windows. I have had nothing but grief on Linux. How do I make files into a "Project"? The tutorials are vague in this area. Thanks in advance. TexasJIm

[kozikowski]

Audacity Saves Projects and Exports stand-alone sound files.

This is a Project.



The AUP file is a text document that tells Audacity what to do with all the stuff in the _DATA folder of the same name. I'm not aware of any difference between Linux and the other two.

Projects will save your environment and tracks and preferences, etc, etc, but will not save UNDO. Projects will only open in Audacity.

Open a Project by double clicking the AUP file. Open a sound file by Importing it.

I used Audacity with ease on Windows.

I'm not aware of Audacity ever working any different from the above notes.

Koz

[kozikowski]

https://manual.audacityteam.org/man/aud ... jects.html

Koz

[TexasJim]

Thanks for the replies. I can create a music file called Test, Export it to an external folder as a .wav file. In my folder there is a file called Test.wav and another called Test.aup. I open that with Audacity, Edit it and try to save it by using Save Project, but it says I don't have a Project, I have a file. How does a Project happen? Why isn't my file made into a Project? What am I missing? Do I HAVE to have my music in a Project? Can I send my music file direct from my folder to a CD burner? That's not what I really want to do. Any help and guidance is appreciated. TexasJim

[kozikowski]

You should wait for a Linux elf. The versions and issues are different for you.

File > Export should not create an AUP file.

Koz

[steve]

On Linux, the easiest way to save an Audacity Project is:
"File menu > Save" and give the project a one word name, preferably no spaces, and definitely no "special" characters (such as punctuation characters).
The underscore character "_" is OK to use.
Numbers and letters (a to z and A to Z) are OK to use.

A good name is: my_project
A bad name is: my / project

[TexasJim]

Thanks. When I finish my recording work, the only Save options on my menu are Save Project, Save Project As, and Save Compressed Project. All three result in an error block that says only Projects can be saved, and I must Export my work, since it's not a Project. ????? Thanks TexasJim

[steve]

All three result in an error block that says only Projects can be saved

I think you are probably misinterpreting the message. What is the full and exact message?

[TexasJim]

Thanks. The box contains, as follows:
WARNING


'SAVE PROJECT' is for an Audacity project, not an audio file.
For an audio file that will open in other apps, use EXPORT

Don't show this warning again.


CANCEL O K


I appreciate your attempts to help. I did this years back with no problems, but everything I do is considered to be a "file", and not a Project.

TexasJim

[steve]

Ah, I thought it might be that. It is not telling you that you have done anything wrong (it's not an "error" message), it is just warning you that if you "save" then you will get a "project" and not an ordinary audio file.

Many new users expect to get a normal audio file when they "save", but in fact you get a project. Just click "OK" and it will save the Audacity Project.
The "Don't show this warning again." checkbox tells Audacity to stop showing the warning, so now that you understand the message, it safe to tick that box.

Does that make sense now?