The Open and Save panel contains settings related to project folders, templates, backup and recovery, IFC import/export, shared resources, project-specific objects, DWG/DXF data exchange and other file-management functions.

These settings determine where ARCHLine.XP stores and searches for project-related files and how project data is protected, exchanged and shared.

Location:
File > Options > Open and Save

Open and Save

Project default path (requires restart)

Defines the default folder used by ARCHLine.XP for project files.

This folder is used as the initial location when opening or saving projects unless another location is selected manually.

Changes to this setting take effect after restarting ARCHLine.XP.

Note: Changing the default path does not move existing project files. It only changes the default location used for subsequent file operations.

Default image folder

Defines the default folder used when browsing for image files.

This provides a convenient starting location when importing or selecting raster images used in the project.

Project template folder path

Defines the folder containing ARCHLine.XP project templates.

Project templates provide predefined project settings that can be used as the starting point for new projects.

Keeping templates in a dedicated folder makes it easier to maintain standardized office or company project configurations.

Google Drive download folder

Defines the local folder used for files downloaded through the Google Drive integration.

Downloaded files are stored in this location before they are opened or otherwise processed by ARCHLine.XP.

Enable project backup to your personal cloud account

Enables project backup using the supported personal cloud service.

When activated, ARCHLine.XP can use the configured cloud account as an additional location for protecting project data.

Google Drive

Displays or selects Google Drive as the cloud service used for personal cloud backup when the service is available and configured.

Important: Cloud backup should be considered an additional level of data protection and should not replace a regular company backup strategy.

Save 3D database with project (increases file size)

Stores additional 3D model database information in the project file.

Enabling this option can make more of the generated 3D information directly available when the project is reopened, but it can also significantly increase the project file size.

Use this option when retaining the additional 3D database is more important than minimizing project file size.

Transfer settings and files from one computer to another

Click Edit to access the tools for transferring ARCHLine.XP settings and related files between computers.

This function is useful when:

• moving ARCHLine.XP to a new workstation,
• configuring several computers with similar settings,
• transferring a user's working environment,
• preserving customized settings during hardware replacement.

Migrate custom settings and files from previous releases

Click Edit to migrate compatible user settings and customized files from an earlier ARCHLine.XP release.

This simplifies upgrading to a new version because supported customizations do not need to be recreated manually.

Note: The availability of individual settings depends on compatibility between the source and current ARCHLine.XP versions.

Tag/Schedule template folder

Defines the folder containing templates used by Tags and Schedules.

A common template location helps maintain standardized schedules and annotation formats.

IFC Export template folder

Defines the folder containing IFC export templates.

These templates can be used to store predefined IFC export configurations for different BIM exchange requirements.

This is particularly useful when different clients, authorities or BIM workflows require different IFC export settings.

Manage settings and styles

This section provides tools for creating default project configurations and managing reusable styles.

Make current project settings default for new projects

Click Apply to use the relevant settings of the current project as defaults for subsequently created projects.

This is useful after configuring a project according to company standards.

Important: This operation changes the default configuration used for future projects. Existing projects are not automatically modified.

Restore to Factory Defaults

Click Apply to restore the relevant settings to their original ARCHLine.XP factory configuration.

This can be useful when extensive customization has been made and the standard configuration needs to be restored.

Caution: Customized settings may be lost when factory defaults are restored.

Export styles

Click Edit to export customized styles.

Exported styles can be archived, transferred to another workstation or distributed to other users.

Import styles

Click Edit to import previously exported styles.

This makes it possible to reuse standardized office styles or transfer style configurations between ARCHLine.XP installations.

Network sharing

ARCHLine.XP can use a shared network location to distribute common styles between users.

All participating computers must have the required network permissions for the shared folder.

Shared styles package name (create or select)

Defines the shared style package that users work with.

A package can be created or an existing shared package can be selected.

Specify the network location of the shared styles (requires restart)

Defines the network folder where shared styles are stored.

All users who need access to the shared styles must have the appropriate permissions for this location.

Changes require restarting ARCHLine.XP.

Backup Archive

The Backup Archive provides automatically created backup copies that can be used to recover project data.

Create Backup Archive – Daily backup copies for recovery purposes

Enables automatic creation of daily project backup copies.

This is strongly recommended for normal project work because it provides an additional recovery option if the current project becomes damaged or an earlier project state needs to be restored.

Interval to save work automatically in minutes

Defines the time interval for automatic saving when this option is enabled.

For example:

60 minutes

means that ARCHLine.XP performs the corresponding automatic save operation every 60 minutes.

Note: Automatic saving and Backup Archive are recovery mechanisms. They should not replace normal manual project saving and external backup procedures.

Backup Archive folder

Defines the folder where Backup Archive files are stored.

For reliable recovery, sufficient disk space should be available at this location.

The panel explicitly states:

Use the ARCHLine.XP Drawing Recovery Manager ONLY to recover data.

Therefore, archived recovery data should be restored through the Drawing Recovery Manager rather than by manually manipulating recovery files.

AUTO-ERASE - Automatically delete backups older than the preservation period

Automatically removes backup archive data older than the specified retention period.

This prevents backup files from accumulating indefinitely and consuming excessive disk space.

Archive Preservation Period in weeks

Defines how long Backup Archive data is retained.

For example:

4 weeks

means that backups older than four weeks can be automatically removed when AUTO-ERASE is enabled.

Erase Backup Archive older than … weeks

Click Edit to manually remove archived backup data older than the specified preservation period.

This can be used to free disk space without waiting for automatic cleanup.

Note: According to the panel, the Backup Archive stores up to 3 backup copies of a project daily.

Save auto recover information

Auto Recover provides an additional protection mechanism by periodically storing recovery information while you work.

Save auto recover information

Enables automatic creation of recovery information.

If ARCHLine.XP or the computer closes unexpectedly, this information may help recover recent work.

Important: Auto Recover is not a replacement for saving the project normally. Continue to save the project regularly.

Save frequency (steps)

Defines how frequently recovery information is created based on the number of working steps.

For example:

5

means that the Auto Recover mechanism is triggered according to a five-step interval.

This is different from a time-based backup interval.

Available disk space on C:

Displays the currently available free space on the system drive.

This information helps verify that sufficient disk space is available for recovery data and other temporary ARCHLine.XP operations.

IFC Import Properties

This section contains settings used when importing IFC-based BIM data.

Import classification database from Excel files

Click Edit to configure classification information imported from Excel files.

This enables external classification data to be incorporated into the IFC-related workflow.

Data filters

Click Edit to configure filters that determine which IFC data is processed during import.

Filters can help control the amount and type of information brought into the ARCHLine.XP project.

Apply georeferencing from file

When enabled, ARCHLine.XP uses the available georeferencing information contained in the imported file.

This is important for coordinated BIM workflows where models must retain their defined real-world or shared coordinate position.

Disable this option when the incoming georeferencing information should not determine the model's placement.

IFC Export Properties

This section contains settings related to IFC output used by the ARCHLine.XP Viewer workflow.

IFC export format for ARCHLine.XP Viewer

Defines the IFC schema used when generating IFC data for ARCHLine.XP Viewer.

For example:

IFC 2.3

The available formats depend on the IFC export capabilities of the installed ARCHLine.XP version.

Use mapped geometry for ARCHLine.XP Viewer

Enables the use of mapped geometry when generating IFC content for ARCHLine.XP Viewer.

Mapped geometry can reuse common geometric representations instead of storing identical geometry repeatedly.

This can be particularly useful when a model contains many repeated instances of the same object.

Sharing Categories with other users

This section supports workflows where custom/shared categories need to be available to multiple ARCHLine.XP users.

Shared objects network location

Click Edit to define the network location containing objects that are shared between users.

The selected network folder must be accessible to all participating computers with the necessary permissions.

Shared categories

Click Edit to configure categories used for shared content.

This provides a consistent organization of shared objects across multiple workstations.

Synchronization interval in seconds

Defines how frequently ARCHLine.XP checks or synchronizes the shared content.

For example:

60 seconds

sets a one-minute synchronization interval.

Display shared objects with icon in the Design Center

When enabled, shared objects are identified with a dedicated icon in the Design Center.

This makes it easier to distinguish shared resources from locally stored content.

Project specific object handling

ARCHLine.XP can retain objects used by a project even if those objects are later removed from the general object library.

The panel states:

Closing the project the objects stored only in the project are deleted from library.

This means that project-specific objects can remain associated with the project without permanently becoming part of the user's general object library.

Make project-specific objects available only while the project is open

When enabled, objects stored specifically for the current project are available only while that project is open.

This helps keep project-specific library content separate from the general ARCHLine.XP object library.

This can be useful when a project contains unique manufacturer objects, custom components or other content that should not remain globally available.

Project properties

Project parameters

Click Edit to access and manage parameters associated with the current project.

Project parameters can be used to store project-level information that is required by supported ARCHLine.XP workflows.

DXF/DWG

This section controls default folders and data-exchange settings for DWG and DXF workflows.

DWG/DWF/DXF Import path

Defines the default folder used when browsing for DWG, DWF or DXF files to import.

DXF/DWG import assignments

Click Edit to configure assignments used during DWG/DXF import.

These assignments determine how supported source data is mapped to the corresponding ARCHLine.XP representation.

DXF and DWG export settings

Click Edit to configure settings used when exporting project data to DXF or DWG.

These settings allow the output to be adapted to the requirements of the receiving CAD application or project partner.

Colour exchange dialog

Click Edit to configure color conversion between ARCHLine.XP and the DWG/DXF workflow.

This is useful when different CAD environments use different color conventions or when colors need to be mapped consistently during file exchange.

ACC (FORMA)

This section contains settings related to Autodesk cloud-based data exchange.

Download folder

Defines the local folder used for files downloaded through the supported ACC/FORMA workflow.

Downloaded content is stored in this location before it is used locally by ARCHLine.XP.

Backup and recovery – recommended workflow

For normal production work, the safest approach is to use the available protection mechanisms together rather than relying on only one of them:

Manual Save → Auto Recover → Backup Archive → External/company backup

Manual Save protects the current project file. Auto Recover provides short-term recovery information during active work. Backup Archive maintains earlier recovery copies, while an independent company or cloud backup protects data against workstation or storage failure.

Important: Backup Archive and Auto Recover are recovery mechanisms and should not be treated as substitutes for a properly managed external backup system.