Cannot return to project FCE4

[kookooframe]

I am fairly new to FCE4 and may be missing something. But I cannot seem to return to a project which I have exported as a Quicktime file. That is, when I go back to FCE4 and attempt to open the project again, the only thing I get is a window in which the finished project plays. But I cannot get the timeline, or bins or sequences to appear in the browser. I have NOT deleted the original source files.

I have pondered this problem for three hours, referring to manuals and other forum threads. Could someone tell me what I may be missing?

 

[Oedipax]

Are you opening the project file or the exported Quicktime file? Make sure it's the project, it sounds like what happens when you open a Quicktime export or reference movie.

 

[kookooframe]

yes, it does seem like I'm opening a Quicktime export. My problem is, I'm trying to find the project file, which should be listed under File/Recent. Instead when I open one from the Recent list, I get the export and NOT the project. I don't understand why the FCE interface would sometimes give me the project here and sometimes the export. And if I only get the export, where can I find the latest saved PROJECT file?