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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cloudstud.io/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

A project is the unit of work in CloudStudio — it bundles your media, NLE project files, exports, and access list under a single folder structure on shared storage. This page covers how to organize a project so it stays sane through a long edit, and how features like folder templates and version stacking save you time.

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What a project gives you

When a workspace admin creates a project, CloudStudio sets up:
  • A dedicated folder under your workspace’s storage (visible as a regular mounted volume on your workstation)
  • A consistent folder template (Footage, Audio, Graphics, Exports, etc.)
  • An access list — only invited users see the project
  • A media database that powers thumbnails, search, comments, and review links
You don’t need to do anything manually. Just open the project in the CloudStudio menu-bar app and everything is wired up.

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Folder templates

Workspaces can define folder templates so every new project starts with the same structure. A typical template: 
ProjectName/
├── 01_Footage/
│   ├── Camera_A/
│   ├── Camera_B/
│   └── Drone/
├── 02_Audio/
│   ├── Production/
│   └── Music/
├── 03_Graphics/
├── 04_VFX/
│   ├── Renders/
│   └── Sources/
├── 05_Exports/
│   ├── Review/
│   └── Master/
└── 06_Project_Files/
    ├── Premiere/
    └── Resolve/
The numbered prefixes are convention, not required — they just keep folders sorted predictably in Finder. Your workspace admin sets the template once. You’ll see those folders pre-created in every new project.

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Importing media

You have two paths to get media into a project:
  1. Upload via app.cloudstud.io — drag into the project’s upload zone. Works from anywhere; uses Transfer Agent for large jobs (see Transfers).
  2. Copy directly on the workstation — your project folder is a regular mounted volume. You can cp, drag in Finder, or use any tool that reads/writes files. CloudStudio detects new files automatically and starts proxy generation.
Either way, media lands in the project’s 01_Footage/ (or equivalent) folder and shows up in the web app with thumbnails within a few minutes.

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Version stacking

When you upload a file that has the same name as an existing asset, CloudStudio stacks them as versions instead of overwriting:
  • The latest version is what your NLE sees by default
  • Earlier versions remain accessible via the asset’s version dropdown in the web app
  • You can promote an earlier version to “current” without re-uploading
This is useful for VFX shots that go through multiple revisions, music edits, or any asset where you want a clear history.

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Asset organization tips

CloudStudio works with whatever folder structure you give it, but a few habits pay off:
  • Don’t rename files mid-edit. Your NLE references files by name + path. Renaming on disk breaks the link in your NLE bins. If you need to rename, do it in the NLE first and let CloudStudio’s rename action propagate.
  • Keep exports out of footage folders. Drop them in 05_Exports/Review/ so review links stay easy to find and your bin stays clean.
  • One sequence per project file. If you have multiple cuts, save them as separate .prproj / .drp files. Long projects bloat fast.
  • Archive on milestone, not on done. Move finished-act footage to a colder tier when an act locks, not when the whole show is done. Your workspace admin can demote folders between storage tiers.

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Searching across a project

The web app indexes filenames, descriptions, and review comments. From the project page, the search bar searches everything you’ve uploaded — useful when you can’t remember which take a specific shot was in. You can also search by metadata: codec, resolution, duration, upload date, and uploader.

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Project access

Only invited workspace members can see a project. If a colleague needs access:
  1. Ask your workspace admin to add them in Project settings → Members
  2. They’ll get an email; once they accept, the project appears in their CloudStudio menu
If you need broader changes (adding a new admin, splitting access), see Inviting users & access on the admin side.

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What’s next