Use Save Session to keep your latest work in the .IPS file. Quick Order’s “Saved to session” message means the open session has changed; it doesn’t mean the file on disk has been saved.
Save Session and Save As #
You’ll need imported photos before you can save a session. On the first save, choose a name and location. After that, Save Session updates the same file.
Use Save As or Ctrl+Shift+S for another filename or location. Give separate versions clear names. Save after changing selections, crops, notes, orders, discounts, or payments.
IPS Viewer checks for unsaved work when you start new work, import, load another session, or exit. It’s still worth saving regularly as you go.
What’s in the file? #
The .IPS file stores image paths and order, tags, photo notes and adjustments, order items, prices, quantities, add-ons, package choices, the appearance recorded when an item was ordered, order notes, discounts, payments, and the saved tax policy.
It doesn’t contain the source photos, global studio settings, or the price-list catalog. Undo history, Back and Forward history, and detail zoom and pan positions aren’t saved either.
Open a session #
Save your current work, then choose Load Session and select the .IPS file. Check the photos and Order Review before continuing.
Some older sessions may reread their original folder and include photos added since the last save. Keep a copy and check the folder if the photo set has changed unexpectedly.
If an older session has no saved tax policy, you’ll be asked whether to use current settings, another rate, or no tax. Check the rate and total before saving the updated session.
Reconnect moved photos #
- Back up the session and any original folders you still have.
- Open the session and choose Relink Photos….
- Select a folder to search. Relinking includes subfolders.
- Review the matches. Unique filenames can match automatically; duplicate filenames need your choice. Select renamed files manually.
- Apply the correct links and save the session.
- Reopen a copy and check the photos and order.
Two saved photos can’t share one replacement file. Unresolved photos retain their paths and order data, so you don’t need to delete their order items while looking for the files.
Back up the complete job #
Keep the .IPS files, source photo folders, final PDFs, and original production files in your backup process. A session file alone isn’t a photo backup.
For studio settings, pricing, and copied default assets, back up the IPSViewerLite folder under Windows LocalAppData. Keep an exported pricing workbook as an extra record. Recovery .bak files from some JSON saves can help, but keep a separate backup in another location too.
Move to another computer #
Copy the session and photos, open the copy on the new computer, relink if needed, and verify the order. Move settings and price lists separately. Copying files doesn’t transfer a license. Keep the old working copy until you’ve checked both the new copy and a separate backup.
If saving fails #
Leave IPS Viewer open. Try saving again or use Save As in another accessible location. Keep your last good backup and note the error message. Contact support if you still can’t save; don’t close your only unsaved copy.
