Hi.
I've just started using PhpEd as a trial.

My project files are located in a folder away from my local webserver on the same machine (apache) - once developed I'll upload to the development sertver via ftp.

my local site has a virtual name of site.loc

Is there a way I can easily publish the files I've created to the local folder.
Thanks

Not only upload, but also Synchronize is available in PhpED.
You may want to create "publishing account" first -- see Tools->Accounts.
Then create new project and follow project settings wizard to point to local directory, url and so forth.
This way you can easily setup most important project settings, check web related settings, check php and php debugger.
Publishing for the project/foloders/files is available in Workspace tab popup, in the main toolbar, in the main menu, in the file tab popup and finally you can do this using shortcut which is by default Ctrl+Shift+S (Save&Upload).
Synchronization is available in Publishing submenu in workspace popup.
BTW, phped supports publishing (upload/download/sync) through ftp, ftps (ftp+ssl), sftp (ssh), webdav, webdav+ssl, and samba (windows share).