Why does autosave only save one single file?

[777bbbbq]

I keep reading how autosave saves multiple copies so you can restart your program at various points.  However, when I look in the autosave directory, I only see one single copy of my current sequence.   Nothing else appears that is remotely recent.  And the single file is so recent that it's no help for me, since I only need an autosave file when the current file I'm working on is crashing or has other problems.  In those cases, I need a file that's 10 minutes old, or 30 minutes old -- not one that was saved 5 minutes ago and probably has the same issues as the one that is causing me trouble.

How can I get Premiere Pro to save versions of my files on a regular basis, as often as possible?

Thanks.

[Jeff Bugbee]

Edit - Preferences - Autosave

Maximum Project Versions is how many versions it'll make.

[777bbbbq]

Thanks, Jeff.  Based on what I'm seeing when I look in AutoSave, it almost looks like Premiere Pro is saying: "Okay, I created the stated number of backups -- now I will stop saving any backups at all except for one single someone dated copy."  That's surely not the way the backup system's supposed to work, but it's my impression of what's going on.   Of course, as a newbie, I'm probably overlooking something that would make sense of this situation. 

For now, I have increased both the frequency and number of saves -- even though the existing settings would have been fine had they actually worked.  Again, maybe they have worked and I'm misunderstanding the autosave process or where to look for files -- but right now my impression is that, like God, Premiere Pro's backup system "works in mysterious ways."  Well, back to the tutorial drawing board 😉

[Stan Jones]

777bbbbq,

I don't see how this could happen, except for Peru Bob's scenario. But surely you've saved this project multiple times.

Also check your Autosave location. (File -> Project Settings -> Scratch disk.)

It might help for you to post a screenshot of what you are seeing in the autosave directory.

And I would test autosave in a simple project: Open windows explorer to the autosave directory. Create a new test project, change the autosave settings to 2 minutes. Check the autosave directory location. Add one video file, save. (After this save, autosave will operate 2 minutes after you make a change.) Use the video to create a sequence. That change should trigger autosave in about 2 minutes. Watch the screen carefully. When autosave trigger, you'll see a VERY quick window pop up. Is there anything for that new project in the directory? Whether there is or not, make a cut in the sequence, and watch again for the autosave.

Stan

[777bbbbq]

Hi, Stan.

I have to admit I have not followed your directions exactly.  I got sidetracked -- however,  Premiere Pro started giving me "unknown error" messages with my project this morning, and once again, I found that there was only ONE backup for the project in the autosave directory, and that backup was only 2 minutes old -- in other words, useless for restoring the project to a working version.

In the spirit of your suggestions, I have attached screenshots that hopefully show you the problem clearly. On the attachment, you can see that I have told autosave to save projects every 5 minutes (up to 30 plus copies to be maintained) and you can also see the autosave directory, where the my current project called "Damascus" has only been saved ONCE in the last 24 hours (tho' I've been working on it all last night).

If this gives you any ideas of the issues involved here, please let me know.

Thanks again for your assistance.

[Peru Bob]

Autosave has sometimes behaved wonky.  Don't rely on it.  Back up manually as suggested.

[777bbbbq]

That's disappointing.  Looks like I'll have to create my own automatic backup system with bat files and perl programming and so forth. 

[Stan Jones]

777,

First, I strongly encourage Peru Bob's (and others') recommendation: I use Save a Copy. I do keep Autosave on, but that is for the situation where I have forgotten to save.

I agree that Autosave should work correctly, and it is working on my system as I think it is currently designed. It does not appear to be working on yours.

I assume you opened the original of Damascus.prproj in the folder "22.0". Do a "save as" and see what directory you are in. Make sure that you are not working on the file in the Autosave folder. The file you show (Damascus.prproj) is not an "autosave" file as such. It is the "copy" of the project file that is saved to the autosave folder. The fact that this copy of the project file exists may only mean that you saved the project. If autosave is triggered, it will also save this copy.

But here I go into the weeds, because Autosave has not always worked as it is designed. I have all the Autosave preferences boxes checked, and Autosave set to 2 minutes (for testing). If I manually save the project, it saves to the project file in the "project" directory, in the autosave directory, and in the Cloud directory.

If I make an edit and wait for an autosave, it saves to those 3 files AND creates a new autosave file (project name plus a dash and date/time code). I can see autosave files for other projects in your screenshot. I assume you may have been working with multiple projects open? Note: unlike earlier Autosaves where it appeared to require that the project be saved once before doing an autosave, I get an autosave in a project even if it has not been saved after it was created.

I then turned off the "Auto Save also saves the current project(s)" option in preferences. As expected, doing a manual save at the beginning saves the 3 files as before.

If I make a change and wait for an autosave, it does not save to the active project file in the project directory. It saves to the project name file in the autosave directory and the Cloud and creates a new autosave file.

As discussed in other threads, there does not appear to be a way to turn off the creation of the project file copy in the autosave folder.

Stan

[Ann Bens]

FAQ: When to use "Save A Copy," or "Save As," or just "Save".

Make a habit making a Save a Copy to another drive.

[Peru Bob · Accepted solution]

Sometimes autosave won't start saving until you do a manual save.

I always do as suggested by Ann Bens .

I regularly save backups like this to my dedicated backup drive:

Project Name v1, Project Name v2, etc.

[777bbbbq]

Thanks.  I'll try to remember to use this numbering system while I'm working on a more automated solution to do what I had hoped Premiere Pro would be doing.