Free Layer destroyed my entire project how to go back to previous saved version

Hi,

Unfortunately, once "Free Layer" is activated in an existing project, it cannot be undone, and CapCut currently does not offer a built-in feature to revert to previous versions of a project. However we will explore possible options below if we can recover a previous version and avoid losing all your work.

What you can do to try and revert to a previous saved state in CapCut

1. Check for CapCut's version history or auto-save:

Check in CapCut folders if there is a folder called "auto-save" or "version history" to protect against data loss. Let us look at all the possible ways of doing this:

• Look for "History" or "Version History" menu:

  • Within your CapCut project, look for a menu option called "History," "Version History," "Revisions," or something similar (based on the version of the app you are using). This is often located in the "File" menu or sometimes in the "Edit" menu.
  • If you find a "History" panel or window, it might list previous states of your project, often with timestamps or names.
  • If you see a list, look for a version before you used the "Free Layer" feature and try to select and restore it.

• Check the Auto-Save/Backup files:

  • CapCut generally automatically creates backup files of your projects in a specific folder.
  • Search your computer's file system: Try searching your "Documents," "Videos," or "CapCut" folders (or wherever you typically save CapCut projects) for files that might be project backups. Look for filenames that include words like "backup," "autosave," "version," or dates/times. CapCut project files usually have extensions such as ".draft".
  • Look for files within "C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\CapCut\User Data\Projects\"
  • CapCut Settings: Explore CapCut's "Settings" or "Preferences" menu. Look for any options related to "Auto-save," "Backup," or "Project Recovery." These settings might tell you where backup files are stored, or if auto-save is enabled.

2. Use undo function if you have recently made changes to project using the Free Layer:

• Ctrl+Z or Undo Button: If you just used the "Free Layer" feature and immediately realized it caused issues, try using the standard "Undo" command right away. Press Ctrl + Z on your keyboard (Windows) or look for an "Undo" arrow button in the CapCut interface (usually in the top menu bar).
• Multiple undos: Try pressing "Undo" multiple times to step back through your recent actions and hopefully revert the changes made by "Free Layer." Undo might only work for a limited number of steps, so act quickly.

Watch this below tutorial to see how this is done:

3. Reopen the project (if you find the auto save files):

• Close and reopen CapCut: Close CapCut completely and then reopen it. When you relaunch CapCut and open your project again, it might load the last auto-saved version of the project. This depends on how frequently CapCut auto-saves and if it auto-saved before the "Free Layer" action.

4. Manual rebuilding (If auto save has not worked):

If none of the automatic recovery methods work, unfortunately, you might have to manually rebuild parts of your project. Here is how to make this process as efficient as possible:

• Carefully review your project timeline to understand exactly how the "Free Layer" changed the sequence. Identify which parts are most affected and what needs to be rearranged.
• Use the visual previews in your timeline to help you remember the original order of clips.
• Think about the overall structure of your video. Do you remember the main sections or scenes? This can guide you in reassembling the project.
• Focus on rearranging the major sections or groups of clips first to get the overall structure back in place. Then, refine the order of individual clips within those sections.
• If you had previously exported an earlier version of your video (even a draft), watch that exported video to remind yourself of the correct sequence and timing. This can be a valuable guide for rebuilding.
• As you manually rearrange and rebuild your project, make sure to save your project very frequently (Ctrl+S or File > Save). This will prevent further data loss as you work on it.
• If you have ample amount of storage left, try to save multiple versions of your work as you keep editing. This will help you to roll back even if you mess up something in the project.
• Name the autosaved versions with a unique identifier which will help you recognize the particular stage. Try to add a timestamp to the filename if possible.

How to avoid such mishaps in future?

To avoid this kind of project-destroying issue in the future, adopt these best practices:

• Save project before major changes: Always manually save your CapCut project before you experiment with potentially disruptive features like "Free Layer" or any tool you are unsure about. This gives you a clear save point to revert to.
• "Save As" for major versions: For significant milestones in your editing process, use "File > Save As..." to create a new copy of your project with a slightly different name (e.g., "ProjectName_v1," "ProjectName_v2"). This creates manual version backups.
• Test new features on a copy: If you want to try out a new or unfamiliar feature like "Free Layer," make a copy of your project ("File > Save As...") and experiment with the feature on the copy. This way, your original project remains safe if something goes wrong.
• Regular saving habits: Get into the habit of saving your CapCut project frequently (every few minutes or after any significant edit) as you work. Auto-save is helpful, but manual saves give you more control.

Unfortunately, if your CapCut is not providing a version history feature and you didn't manually save backups before using "Free Layer," reverting to the exact previous state might not be directly possible. Focus on carefully checking for any "History" or auto-save options first. If those fail, manual rebuilding, using visual cues and any exported drafts as reference, will be your best approach.

Let us know if you find a "History" option or any backed up files in your system. Also, let us know if you need any help in manually rebuilding your project.