Index Files And Backups

FotoAlbum automatically saves all changes you make to albums, groups and pictures. This information is stored in index files located in your picture folder. Under no circumstances should you modify or remove these files. These folders/files include:

• <PicDir>\Ndx\fototime.fnx - This is the primary index file that contains all albums, groups and pictures. It does not contain the thumbnail data. It is a binary file to optimize performance. If you wish to view this data, you can use the Export Wizard to save this as an XML file. This file should be backed up periodically along with your images to ensure your album work is not lost.
• <PicDir>\Ndx\FaThumbs.ftd - This file is the thumbnail database. It contains all thumbnails for all the images referenced in the fototime.fnx file. You should periodically compress this file by choosing the Regenerating All Thumbnails option. The need to keep this file backed up is only critical if you wish to keep the thumbnails for images that have been archived and are no longer on your system.
• <PicDir>\Ndx\NdxBackups\*.* - This folder contains backups of your index files. FotoAlbum automatically creates backups of your "fototime.fnx" file and saves them in this folder.

Note: In the prior listings, <PicDir> refers to your currently selected picture folder. You can have multiple of these on your system and switch between them using the "File->Set Picture Folder" command.

The best way to create a permanent safe copy of the necessary index files is to use the archiving option to save the image and index data to a CD or DVD.