In HeavyM 2.8, we've introduced a new saving system. HeavyM files are now managed as projects, in dedicated folders where all external files can be gathered.
This is intended to make file management and project transfer easier (even between Windows and Mac computers or using a cloud solution!)
Saving a project
When saving a project, HeavyM creates a folder with the name you've chosen. It has a specific icon 
and the following structure: it contains the .hm file with the same name and a "MediaFiles" subfolder.
Gathering external assets in the MediaFiles folder
If you use external media files in your mapping project, we recommend using the Collect & Save option when saving (File → Collect Media Files & Save...) to make sure that HeavyM always finds them at reload.
What this option does (in addition to a regular save), is that it creates copies of all the external files in your project and gathers them in the MediaFiles folder of your project. The path of the file is then overwritten in the project and at next reload, HeavyM will look for your files in the MediaFiles folder in priority.
The Collect & Save option applies to all types of external files: the ones in Sources (images, GIFs, videos, imported generative shaders), effects (imported postprocessing shaders), background (background image) and audio (audio tracks on the sequencer and sequences).
You only need to use this option if you've added new external media to the project (it will then only copy the ones that don't already exist in MediaFiles), otherwise a regular save is fine.
Note: if you move your project's external files manually in its MediaFiles folder, they will also be found at reload.
Transferring a project
If all your external files have been collected in the project's MediaFiles folder, the only thing you need to do when transferring a project to another location (another folder, drive or even computer) is make sure that you copy or move the full project folder (containing the MediaFiles folder and the .hm file).
Note: this works when switching from Mac to PC or vice versa.
Locating missing files
In the event that a media file goes missing, you'll get this window when loading the project:
This window gives you the possibility to locate the missing files by giving it their new paths (make sure to collect & save the files afterward!) If you skip this window, you also have the possibility to locate each file from its associated module in the software (in the Sources panel for Medias, the Properties panel for player and group shaders, etc).
Even if you don't have the files at hand, you can edit other parts of your project and save safely, missing files information will still be kept in the backup and you can locate them anytime you want in a later session.
Once a file has been located, it recovers all its saved properties in the project (attached player, parameters, controls assignments, etc).
Note: missing files can be deleted manually from their associated module in the software.