New Idea To Export and Backup X17 Project Files Within The Project Manager?

[VHampton]

On 6/5/2025 at 2:21 PM, Renerabbitt said:

I disagree, updating a template has never been easier. dragging and dropping is a dream. duplicating a complexed linked layout template is super easy. navigating to my projects is faster...like way faster. versioning is faster.
On the flip side, team collab is way more convoluted in project management

 

inadvertently yes. Huge number of support calls on broken links from people who do not understand where texture files are stored and search for and why renaming a file breaks a linked layout

I see your point, Renne — and you make a good case for the benefits. For someone building out from scratch or looking for a faster way to manage templates and versions, I can see how the new system shines.

That said, I still like my own setup — maybe it’s just old habits. Honestly, this feels a bit like being asked to drive on the left side of the road when you’re so used to the right. We’re still getting to the same destination; it just feels unfamiliar.

[Steve_Nyhof]

After having several offline discussions, I remain liking the idea of a backup and/or trigger to auto export the .caproj file. However, there is an issue of how many files would be exported with the file, or if there would be options as to what by default might be part of that export. I do not have answers to how it would all work, but I remain believing that more can be done to automate these files so that how we work with out file systems can continue to be used. 

 

There are ways to dig into existing backups and chief software files to gain access to some of these files, and a more advanced tech can if they want work in this way. I am trying to approach this from a common user, but again, there are things that could cause issues, or future issues with the ongoing development of a cloud type system.

[Renerabbitt]

29 minutes ago, Steve_Nyhof said:

There are ways to dig into existing backups and chief software files to gain access to some of these files, and a more advanced tech can if they want work in this way. I am trying to approach this from a common user, but again, there are things that could cause issues, or future issues with the ongoing development of a cloud type system.

So the way I see this working:
Backup File Manager. It offers to overwrite an old backup or not. If overwriting, then everything is exported, with no option to circumvent. I think this would keep the support calls from coming in about potential lost data from overwriting in conjunction with the second part
Do not overwrite data
Then it lists what data has changed since the last backup, and you can hit select all found, similar to the current dialog box for setting object eyedropper properties.
this export is only the things you selected, and again, has no option to overwrite a full backup

Next tricky part is figuring out how it distinguishes itself with its file name...how the heck do you, the end user, know what the heck is in this backup? Maybe it just asks you to name the backup upon export?

[Steve_Nyhof]

On 5/29/2025 at 5:30 PM, DRAWCO said:

This new system is very confusing.

 

[VHampton]

 

On 6/12/2025 at 3:39 PM, Renerabbitt said:

Next tricky part is figuring out how it distinguishes itself with its file name...how the heck do you, the end user, know what the heck is in this backup? Maybe it just asks you to name the backup upon export?

That’s a great question, and a prompt to name the backup at the time of export could go a long way. Even better if it auto-fills with a base name that includes the project title, date, and maybe an optional tag (like “layouts only” or “final set”). This would give users instant context later without needing to open the file just to see what’s inside.

[Steve_Nyhof]

Just giving an update here.

 

Yesterday (June 24th) I did a full backup of the system on my main computer and restored it to my laptop. Everything copied over without a hitch. The first time I did this was 42 days ago, it also restored without an issue. 

 

Yesterday I also installed X17 on an old computer that I rebuilt as a backup. Today I did a full back up from X17 from my main desktop. I started X17 on the old computer and it told me that there was an X17 update. Hmmm, ok, so I updated it. It gave me some error about a missing file. (I don't remember what - don't ask). So I uninstalled X17 from the computer. I then downloaded X17 and installed it without an issue. It asked me if I wanted to install the core catalogs, I clicked yes. I then ran the restore from the backup I just made today and all went as expected. 

 

On my laptop, the library and other panels were on the left where I like them. I have them on the left on my desktop. From what I understand, everything should come over to match the computer you backed up. However, on the old computer, while everything restored as expected, the library and other panels are on the right, which is Chief default. 

 

To conclude, I love this full backup in X17. That saves a ton of work and time when installing Chief on a new computer, or reinstalling Chief from a crash. I still want a backup system for Exports - per this post - see page 1

 

I believe the new Release of X17 is ready today!

 

 

[Steve_Nyhof]

I will add that if you use special fonts in Chief, to not forget to install them onto the new computer. I opened chief and FYI, a full backup will NOT copy special fonts to the new computer. Once I installed them Chief files opened without any missing links, files or materials. 

[3DDesigner]

I am jumping off the new project management ship. You all have said it well - the pros and the cons. I do feel like Chief is headed in the right direction but has some things to work on. That's normal. I did not have trouble with broken links before.

But I don't understand, if my projects are stored in the cloud, WHY can I not access them from any computer?? I have to export the project, copy the file to a flash or somehow get it to my second computer (Laptop). Then do a restore of that ONE project.

Please clue me in if am misunderstanding something here - but I'm suggesting a project file improvement that would stop the exporting and importing of something that's already in the cloud.

[Renerabbitt]

19 minutes ago, 3DDesigner said:

I am jumping off the new project management ship. You all have said it well - the pros and the cons. I do feel like Chief is headed in the right direction but has some things to work on. That's normal. I did not have trouble with broken links before.

But I don't understand, if my projects are stored in the cloud, WHY can I not access them from any computer?? I have to export the project, copy the file to a flash or somehow get it to my second computer (Laptop). Then do a restore of that ONE project.

Please clue me in if am misunderstanding something here - but I'm suggesting a project file improvement that would stop the exporting and importing of something that's already in the cloud.

Is that really much different than saving your project to a cloud based folder and opening it from a cloud based folder?
You are exporting(saving) to a cloud based folder and importing(opening) from a cloud based folder. The benefit being that your files are all linked and compiled with resources in the new PM function
and FYI your projects are not currently saved in the cloud in PM, they are saved locally on your machine

[3DDesigner]

48 minutes ago, Renerabbitt said:

Is that really much different than saving your project to a cloud based folder and opening it from a cloud based folder?
You are exporting(saving) to a cloud based folder and importing(opening) from a cloud based folder. The benefit being that your files are all linked and compiled with resources in the new PM function
and FYI your projects are not currently saved in the cloud in PM, they are saved locally on your machine

 

I feel like it is different in my case. I use a good file sync program that keeps all my user files the same on both computers - without lifting a finger. I do not work out of a "cloud folder". All my data is on my local hard drive no matter which machine I'm using. I specifically one-way sync the Chief data folder to my Laptop and two-way sync all my customer files. And at the same time all my data is saved in the cloud. No broken links or lost data.

I accept the correction about PM syncing to the cloud - I'm not sure how I got that in my head. But I wish it did so I COULD access my projects from any machine. Plus it would be automatically backed up off-site.

Renne, (and everyone) keep giving your input and disagreements. That's good for the progress we all want.

 

PS - I may take a beating for mentioning another drafting program (so sorry) but SoftPlan has this topic covered very well and I "think?" it fills all the checks of what we are trying to accomplish here. ALL plans, drawings, saved pictures and pdfs, are all synced to the cloud and you can open your work on any machine and it automatically syncs. And you can collaborate with anyone that has SoftPlan with no effort. Just put in their key number. No broken links here either. One downside - program settings you have to manually backup and restore as you deem necessary.

[Steve_Nyhof]

8 minutes ago, 3DDesigner said:

PS - I may take a beating for mentioning another drafting program (so sorry) but SoftPlan has this topic covered very well and I "think?" it fills all the checks of what we are trying to accomplish here. ALL plans, drawings, saved pictures and pdfs, are all synced to the cloud and you can open your work on any machine and it automatically syncs. And you can collaborate with anyone that has SoftPlan with no effort. Just put in their key number. No broken links here either. One downside - program settings you have to manually backup and restore as you deem necessary.

 

I think this is a strong indicator as to why Chief is heading down this road. They just did not make it in time for this release. I do expect to see their cloud service back in place by X18