How to get info on Sonar Features

Hi.  About 10-12 years ago I stopped writing music and am now returning.  I have the Sonar Platinum Lifetime deal.  "Back in the day"  I could use Sonar pretty comfortably, but it has obviously changed much since Sonar 6.  How do I get help like a basic manual?  When I go to help now, I am referred to "Ask Questions" which rarely gets me a good answer.  For example:  I thought I would start by remixing some of my songs from 10 years ago.  I opened one and the midi files were gone (it was a Cakewalk bundle!)  Well, I messed around with mixing, but as some plug ins were not available, I opened it in safe mode and my midi files were there as an "Archive file." (which I had forgotten about.)  Well, how to I unarchive them and see them?  I can click on archive and they will sort of play, but unlike in Sonar, they don't show any midi data in the color bars which represent the 12 tracks.  If I click on a track and hit view/staff, I can see the notes.  But my point is not how to proceed, it is where the heck are help files?  When I asked about archived files in "ask questions" I got nothing.  When I asked about previewing loops, I got nothing.  I know the info is there, how can I tap it?  Is there a real Sonar Help file?  Sorry to rant but I am pretty used to trying to get my own answers and reading manuals etc. to get them, so this is frustrating.  TIA for any replies.

Open up Sonar Platinum and Press "p"

This brings up the preferences dialogue box. Head to File | advanced and look for the option "Always use Local Help".  Make sure this is ticked. 

Also, make sure you have actually downloaded the local help to your PC.  The Cakewalk Command centre is the easiest way to do this...    In Cakewalk Command centre, drill down the item Sonar Platinum and look for "SONAR local documentation"

Then, from with Sonar Platinum, on the main menu, head over to Help | Getting started.  Assuming the above is done correctly, this should open up the local help file.

There are also PDF files of the local help files as well.  These are located in the C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\SONAR Platinum folder (assuming 64bit version)

help that helps.

Addictive Drums is a separate installer and you also need to download and run the on line app that will register it. https://www.xlnaudio.com/install
 

Okay, well I am just as happy as a clam (are clams really happy?)  I did find Addictive drums installer and that is now working as advertised (although I have much reading to do about using it.)  Plus, I put a shortcut to the manuals on my desktop, set Sonar to use local resources and wow.....hit F1 for help files.  Will always try to find answers myself before posting here.....and will finish watching the many videos on Sonar University.  Thanks much for pointing me in the right direction!  As an aside, I may have Sonar 6 someplace but, as far as I can tell, the bundles are not corrupted, I can see data there when I look at them in staff view....but I am not sure how to un-archive them and turn them into what I remember midi tracks used to be.

Thanks, sorting synths and plug ins was something that I found important.  Looking at the link you posted now.