# Project File Copy Action

Using the Project File Copy Action, you can accomplish two tasks simultaneously:

1. Create a physical file on storage from a template (mimicking a [File Copy Action](https://docs.helmut.de/helmut4-releases/helmut4-components/streamdesigner/nodes/actions/file-and-folder-22/file-copy-action))
2. Generate a new, dedicated project entry in the database (mimicking a [Project Set Path Action](https://docs.helmut.de/helmut4-releases/helmut4-components/streamdesigner/nodes/actions/project-21/project-set-path-action))

This node is intended for use in one of the "project creation" triggers in FX, such as:

* **Create Project**
* **Import Project**
* **Duplicate Project**

While this node can be replaced with a standard file copy action, doing so would require manually setting the project path using the [Project Set Path Action](https://docs.helmut.de/helmut4-releases/helmut4-components/streamdesigner/nodes/actions/project-21/project-set-path-action) node, which updates or writes the project file path into the database.

### Example:

#### **Virtual Project**

If all parameters necessary for project creation are defined in the "Add/Import Project" dialog, a database object (virtual project) will be created. This virtual project consists only of metadata provided by the user or set via the project group-category-template tree.

#### **Physical Project**

If an additional workflow is triggered (e.g., Create/Import/Duplicate Project), a physical equivalent of the database object (the actual project file) is created and assigned via the underlying workflow. This involves copying a template file and associating its path with the database object.

It is important to note that a Helmut4 project can only be opened if a physical project file exists.

### Reference

Please also review the following associated nodes:

* [Project Set Path Action](https://docs.helmut.de/helmut4-releases/helmut4-components/streamdesigner/nodes/actions/project-21/project-set-path-action)
* [Project Set Name Action](https://docs.helmut.de/helmut4-releases/helmut4-components/streamdesigner/nodes/actions/project-21/project-set-name-action)
* [Project Set Group Action](https://docs.helmut.de/helmut4-releases/helmut4-components/streamdesigner/nodes/actions/project-21/project-set-group-action)
* [Project Set Category Action](https://docs.helmut.de/helmut4-releases/helmut4-components/streamdesigner/nodes/actions/project-21/project-set-category-action)
* [Project Set Template Action](https://docs.helmut.de/helmut4-releases/helmut4-components/streamdesigner/nodes/actions/project-21/project-set-template-action)
* [Project Create Action](https://docs.helmut.de/helmut4-releases/helmut4-components/streamdesigner/nodes/actions/project-21/project-create-action)