The File Menu

The file menu is where you can choose to change, save or import projects as well as set the GameMaker IDE preferences. The available options are:

• New Project - This option creates a new project from scratch in GameMaker. It will take you to The Start Page to start a new project. Choose a location to save the new project here and click Let's Go! and you'll be taken to a new, blank, workspace to start working on it. Project files are saved with the *.yyp file extension.
• Open Project - This option opens a file explorer for you to select a previously created *.yyp project file for loading. Please note that on import, if the project was created using a version lower than 2.3.0, then you will get the following warning message: If you choose to proceed, a file explorer will be opened and you can give the project an updated name and location to save it, so the original project will not be overwritten. Once the project has been converted to the new 2.3.0+ format, it will open in the IDE and you will get a message saying that the conversion has succeeded. You should proceed to check the compatibility report that has been generated by the conversion process and see if there is anything that you need to fix before trying to run or compile the project. Note that if you get repeated errors while trying to open a project made with a version anterior to 2.3.0, then you should contact YoYo Games (using the Report a GameMaker Bug option from The Help Menu), supplying the original *.yyp file that you are trying to convert.

  WARNING A warning message is shown if GameMaker detects that the selected project is stored in a cloud storage location. Saving projects to cloud storage may cause problems when saving and building projects. See the Permissions Guide for more information.

• Import Project - Here you can import projects that have previously been exported as a *.yyz archive (see Export Project below), or - if you have a project made with the legacy GameMaker: Studio 1.4 - you can select this option to import either the *.gmx or the *.gmz file from that product line. As with opening a project, if the *.yyz was created with a version of GameMaker prior to the 2.3.0 update, then it will need converting as the project file format changed with that update.

NOTE To import a previous GameMaker project into GameMaker it must have been created using the 1.4 version, and even then it may not work directly on import. A great many things are different between GameMaker and GameMaker: Studio 1.4, and so your older projects may need some tweaking for them to work. Please see the article Porting A GM:S 1.4 Game To GameMaker on the GameMaker Knowledge Base and the section of the manual that covers Obsolete Functions and Compatibility Scripts.

IMPORTANT Importing a *.yyz project that contains font resources may require you to "regenerate" the fonts by removing/re-adding them, or by changing the font in The Font Editor and then setting it back again. This is because the existing font information is retained by the *.yyz when it is exported, and, on import later or on another machine, the project may not have the required fonts installed already (or may have a different font of the same name). This should only be done if you are seeing issues with how the font renders after import.

• Recent Projects - You can use this option to view recently used projects. Selecting it will re-open The Start Page (should you have closed it) and you can select a recently used project from the list found there.
• Save Project - This will save your game to the same location as you defined when you created the project (or where you opened it from).
• Save Project As - Same as above, only you specify the location and the new name of the project.

  WARNING A warning message is shown if GameMaker detects that the path you try to save the project to refers to a cloud storage location. Saving projects to cloud storage may cause problems when saving and building projects. See the Permissions Guide for more information.

• Export Project - This allows you to export your project either as a file or as a template:
  
  • YYZ - This will export the project as a single *.yyz file and is very useful for sending copies to people or for saving backups.
  • As Template - This will allow you to export your project as a template, which you can later use as a base for other projects on The Start Page. Selecting this option will show you the following prompt:
    You should first click on Edit Template Info to ensure that your template information is correct, and then select Export when you open this prompt a second time to save it as a template. You will then see it under the Template menu on the Start Screen.
    
    Any templates you create will be tied to the account you are logged in with. If you later log in through a different account, you won't be able to access the same custom templates.
• New IDE - When you select this a new instance of the IDE will be opened for you to use (it will open on The Start Page).
• Preferences - Selecting this will take you to the Preferences Window where you can set up how GameMaker looks and feel.
• Exit - Exit GameMaker to the desktop.