OpenShot needs a project file to save the information that makes up a video project.  Information such as the name and location of your project, video and audio files, timeline information, which clips have been trimmed, arranged, etc...

When OpenShot is launched, it creates a new project file automatically.  You can start using OpenShot immediately, without first creating a project.  

Project files have an .OSP file extension (ExampleProject.osp).  Also, project files need a /thumbnail/ folder, which contains all of the thumbnails in your project.  If you move a project file, be sure to move the /thumbnail/ folder also.

Create a Project

There are 2 ways to create a project file.

Method 1 – File Menu:

Choose File > New Project.  The New Project screen will open.  Change the project name, project type, length of timeline, and then click “Save Project”.

Method 2 – Save Default:

Since OpenShot creates a project by default when you launch the program, you can simply choose File > Save.  The Save Project screen will open.  Change the project name, project type, length of timeline, and then click “Save Project”.

Save Project Screen

Clicking New Project or Save Project will result in this screen being shown.

Id	component	description
1	Project Name	The name of your project file (.osp file extension)
2	Project Folder	The folder location to save your project file to.
3	Project Length	The maximum length of the timeline.
4	Project Type	The affects the preview window.  It determines the size,  aspect ratio, and frames per second of the video files you are previewing.
5	Project Type Details	This table previews the project type details, such as size, aspect ratio, and frames per second.  When you change the project type dropdown, it will update this table.