About saving options in Storyboard Pro

Storyboard Pro has many options for saving, and each option offers different benefits depending on your workflow. These are as follows:

• Unpacked file (.sboard)
• Packed file (.sbpz)
• Compact File (.vbd)(Version 25 and up only)

If you would like to read more about saving versions, please see Saving Several Versions of a Project and Deleting Old Project Versions.

The Unpacked file (.sboard)

An .sboard file is a format saved in a folder that contains all the images, elements, sounds, palettes, etc. that are used in the project. The .sboard file itself is represented by a Storyboard Pro page icon, and when this file is opened it will reference all of the files in the folder to load the saved storyboard.

Open this file by double clicking the .sboard icon in the folder, or by using the Open Project options in the Welcome Screen or top menu.

For more information, see About the File Structure of a Storyboard Pro Project.

Format Pros

This format is best used when you need to access the separate files inside your project folder. If this is not a specific need for you, it is suggested you use one of the following formats. 

Format Cons

Moving Files:
If you need to move an .sboard file, you must move the entire folder containing the files and the .sboard as it needs to reference all these files when opening. Moving the .sboard file on its own will result in a blank project when opened elsewhere.

A Storyboard Pro project folder can be compressed into a single file by using a file archiver application. 

System and Network strain:
A Storyboard Pro project is composed of many small files and can result in projects containing thousands of files. Due to the .sboard being a folder format, your system will work through all the files inside of it instead of seeing the folder as a single file. This can quickly fill your storage solution with a high number of files, straining the file system and backup process.

How to save it

You can save your file as an .sboard by selecting it under Project Format on the Welcome Screen when creating a new project, or by going to the top menu and using the File > Save As option and choosing it from the dropdown.

The Packed file (.sbpz)

An .sbpz format saves all the files and folders found in the .sboard format as a single file. It’s almost as if Storyboard Pro is zipping up all the project elements into a convenient package. This format will appear as a boxed up Storyboard Pro icon.

Open this file by double clicking the .sbpz icon, or by using the Open Project options in the Welcome Screen or top menu.

Format Pros

Moving files:

The files in an .sbpz file are packed into one file, making it easy to move your project without worrying about leaving behind any important folders or files.

System and Network Strain:

Due to the .sbpz being a single file, your system will see it as such instead of reading all the separate files inside. This can help reduce the strain on the file system and backup process. 

Format Cons

You cannot directly access the separate files inside the .sbpz. 

How to save it

You can save your file as an .sbpz by selecting it under Project Format on the Welcome Screen when creating a new project, or by going to the top menu and using the File > Save As option and choosing it from the dropdown.

Save vs Save and Pack:

When an .sbpz file is opened, it is extracted to a temporary folder on your computer. If saving the file using the usual Save command, a message will appear warning you that it will save to this cache folder and not to the packaged file. 

A packed file will automatically ask you to save when Storyboard Pro closes, but to update the .sbpz file manually, you can use the Save and Pack command in the File menu.

The Compact file (.vbd)

The Compact file is a format that is part of a project’s structure, and must be used in conjunction with an .sboard or .sbpz file format.

When using the Compact option with your Storyboard Pro project, compatible elements will be combined into a single .vdb (virtual database) file inside the project’s structure.

The below images show the difference between a regular .sboard file structure and one saved with the compact option.

Regular Structure	Compact Structure

A Compact structure can also be used with the project cache folder of an .sbpz file, which will then be packed upon closing the software, or when using the Save and Pack command.

Format Pros

System/Network Strain and Speed:

A compacted structure contains fewer files and will improve the overall performance and efficiency when using the project. Having specific files in one place helps with the efficient location of the content by the software, and will make the project easier to access, transfer and share.

Control Center:
The compact file structure increases the speed at which you can open larger projects and perform imports and exports from the Control Center. When your scene has all the data compiled into a single file, Storyboard Pro will react faster when transferring data as the software will not need to search the disk for all the necessary files to operate. This will result in a faster reaction to reflect changes applied in real time.

How to save it

You can turn your file into a Compact one by ticking the Compact File Structure box on the Welcome Screen when creating a new project, or by going to Storyboard > Properties > Advanced tab and choosing Compact.

Alternatively, if you want to uncompact the project, go to Storyboard > Properties > Advanced tab and choose Uncompact.