The video.dat or clips.dat file is an autogenerated file created when you run Coach Paint. This file essentially "reserves" the amount of memory you've allocated for your future work within the software.
How does it work?
For example, if you set 100GB of storage in the Config Editor, the .dat file will have a size of 100GB, and all your Coach Paint projects will be stored within this space. However, this file does not adjust dynamically to your usage; it will continue to occupy 100GB of storage, even if you're working on just one clip.
How to manage memory usage?
You can easily control how much memory Coach Paint reserves by adjusting the "Video File Size" setting in the Video tab of the Config Editor.
How much memory should I allocate?
For multiple or long clips: If you frequently work with multiple clips or longer video files, we recommend setting aside at least 100GB of storage. This ensures you have enough space to work without interruptions.
For limited usage: If you don’t have that much storage available or work with fewer clips, you can start with a lower allocation, like 50GB. This should be sufficient for handling up to 10 clips simultaneously.
Minimum recommendation: We do not recommend allocating less than 20GB, as the software may not function properly with insufficient space.
How to increase your Video File Size:
To adjust the Video File Size in Coach Paint, follow these steps:
Open the Config Editor.
Navigate to the Video tab.
Adjust the value in the Video File Size box. This value represents the amount of storage Coach Paint will reserve from your available space.
The fixed value displayed on the right indicates the maximum available storage on your computer. Make sure not to exceed this value.