williamcopper
"save as normal template" sounded easy, but it's not clear how to do that. Can you tell the steps involved? I tried "save as normal" and "save as template" and neither gave me what I wanted as default when I chose 'new' project.
Yeah, sure, man. After reading the previous posts I figured this might be problematic. So let me clear it up.
After you created your new template and go to SAVE AS, search for the Protect Templates folder found here: "C:\ProgramData\Cakewalk\Cakewalk Content\Project Templates," for a Win 8, 64 bit install. I don't recall exactly where SONAR x86/32bit saves the Project Templates folder. However, there is a simple way to find out.... Press "P" [or go to Edit/Preference], scroll down to the "File" section and click on "Folder Locations." In the section to the right, you will find the field second from the top "Templates." There you can copy that string "C:\Programs...." Returning back to your new template, by clicking "OK" or "Cancel" in the Preferences window, go to "File/Save as" menu and then paste the above mentioned string in the "File name" field and add "\Normal.cwt" at the end of the string. Next, make sure that you have the "Save as type," just under the "File name," set it to "Template" from the drop down list. You are now set to save your new normal template in the proper place so that it shows up when you start SONAR [provided you have SONAR open with the normal template.]
There are other ways to navigate to the Project Templates folder. You can paste that "C:\Prog..." string in the "Save in" field at the top of the save as dialog box. Or, you can manually navigate to the folder if you are into that method. Nonetheless, make sure you have picked "Template" in the Save as type," [as mentioned above] or else SONAR will have saved it as a project file. Further, make sure you change the "Save as type" when you create and save a new project; otherwise, you will lose (over write) your template file and your new project will not show up in your Cakewalk Projects fold, but will be saved in the Project templates folder.
Alternatively, you can take John's advice and create a new location for your start-up template. In that case you will have to create a new folder (with a name of your liking), then type in the new template folder's location and name in the "Edit/Preferences/Folders Locations/Templates," as though you were copying the string as described above [navigation to templates file location.] That will set SONAR to look into the new (template) folder whenever you want to start with your new "normal" template.
Hit back if you need help or clarification.
Kind regards,
Living Room Rocker