# Create New Project
## Ways to Start a New Project
| Method | Description |
| ---------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Use a template** | Start from standard templates tailored to specific bridge types |
| **Duplicate existing** | [Copy an existing project](/openbrim/getting-started/navigation-within-openbrimapp/projects/open-project.md) as a starting point |
| **From snapshot** | Create from a saved project revision |
{% hint style="info" %}
You can also import additional bridge templates into an existing project after it's created. This allows you to combine multiple bridge types or add components from different templates.
{% endhint %}
***
## Templates
### OpenBrIM Templates
Standard templates developed by OpenBrIM engineers and selected community contributions. These are production-ready and maintained.
### Templates From Authors
Community-created templates that haven't been added to the standard collection yet.
{% hint style="info" %}
**What is a template?** A template is a pre-configured collection of library components organized for a specific bridge type or task. It streamlines project creation by including only relevant components and organizing them in a logical workflow.
{% endhint %}
***
## Template Differences
Different templates show different components in the tree view based on the bridge type.
| Steel I Girder | Tub Girder |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|  |  |
For example, Tub Girder templates include cross-frames and bottom flange stiffeners that aren't in I Girder templates.
***
## Customization
**Can I customize a template?**
Yes. Enterprise clients work with OpenBrIM engineers to customize library objects at no extra cost. Community users can add library components using the search icon above the tree view.
**How do templates become standard?**
When OpenBrIM engineers create custom components for enterprise projects, they evaluate whether these could benefit all similar projects. If yes, the components become part of the standard template. Private or agency-restricted components remain in the client's workspace only.
***
## Organizing Projects
Use **categories** to group related projects (e.g., bridges from the same physical project) into folders.
Enter a category to organize projects
You can then [share each project with team members](/openbrim/getting-started/navigation-within-openbrimapp/projects/projects-users.md).
***
## Create a Project
**Step 1:** Click **New** on the left sidebar.
**Step 3:** Select the specific template (e.g., PennDOT LRFD Curved).
Select template
**Step 4:** Enter the project name and category.
Enter project name
**Step 5:** Click **Create**.
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