@snoofle said:
1. If you want it in a branch, it's a whole lot easier if that's known up front, rather than after the fact
Step 1: Check out the current trunk into a new directory.
Step 2: Tag with a branch tag.
Step 3: Pull the branched code.
Step 4: Copy files that you haven't checked in to new directory.
Step 5: Check in on branch.
Step 6: Stop whining.
Seriously, if this is too difficult for you, you need to go ahead and use the schema everyone else is using.