Once a project is started, project management can be done via the the “File” pull down at the top menu. In addition to “New Project” & “Open Project, the following are the available project tools :
Save Project As
You can create a copy of the active project using the “Save Project As” option in “File” pulldown. A copy of the active project with the provided project code will be created and set as the active project.
By modifying the "Data Folder" in the "Save Project As" dialog you can save the new project to a different data folder location. Note that, when Data Folder is modified, it will be set as current for the next "Open Project" operation.
Archiving the Project Files with Compression
In order to create an archive of the project data and/or output files using standard ZIP compression format, you can use "Archive Project" from the "File" pull down.
After selecting the file groups to be included in the archive you can use the "Start" button to create the ZIP file or press the "Cancel" button to unload the form.
Archived files can be retrieved at a later date using Load Project From Archive.
"Project Archive" comprises the following options:
File Groups
The project files are grouped in this section in order to facilitate the selection of files to be included in the archive. Files to be included in the archive can be selected by checking the groups in this part.
Zip File Name
The name of the ZIP file to be created must be included here. By default, the name of this file is set identical to the project code.
Zip File Folder
The name of the folder to save the ZIP file must be selected using this field. By default, the archive file is saved to the standard data directory.
Files to be Zipped
Selected files will be listed in this section based on the checked file groups.
Load Project From Archive
You can use the "Load Project from Archive…" selection from the "File" pull down to unzip a previously archived project.
The selected archive file is unzipped from its source location to create a project in the current data folder.
The project can then be opened in the usual way by going to “Open Project”.
Backup and AutoSave
Backups and AutoSaves of the project can both be activated from the “General” tab of "ProtaStructure Environment" which is located on the "Settings center". Automatic Save Option can be enable when Interval is set above 1 minutes.
Backup Structural Model
Backup Structural Model allow program to backup current project in hourly basis. This is done in the background without user intervention.
Number of Backups to Save : - To limit the number of backup file to be stored. If the number of backups has been reached, the oldest backup file will be overwritten and replaced by the latest backup file.
Backup files can be retrieved using Open Previous Backup.
Open Previous Backup
You can use the "Open Previous Backup" selection from the "File" pull down to unzip a previous backup of the current project.
A list of the backups, (including the time each backup was made and its model revision number) is displayed.
If you choose to retrieve one of the backup files, the existing model is replaced by a version of the model as it was at the time the backup was made.
If you cannot open the model at all, then you can restore the backup manually by refer to this article :