topic Re: Can't identify a .pln’s originating Archicad version before opening on macOS in Installation & update

Can't identify a .pln’s originating Archicad version before opening on macOS

LukaS — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 13:47:59 GMT

Since updating to macOS Sequoia 15.7, Finder’s Preview no longer shows the version for .pln files, and mdls returns nothing—making it impossible to tell whether a project was saved in AC27 or AC28 (sometimes AC26) without opening it. When working across the last 2–3 Archicad versions, choosing the correct version before opening is critical to avoid unwanted migrations or file bloat. Please restore a working Spotlight/Quick Look integration for .pln (kMDItemVersion) or provide an official lightweight tool/CLI to read the originating version safely.

Operating system used: Mac Apple Silicon Sequoia 15.7

Re: Can't identify a .pln’s originating Archicad version before opening on macOS

Djordje — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 09:50:17 GMT

I know this does not help, but for the people on Windows, the Properties/Info&Preview gives this info. Yes, it is critical, since the projects are usually lasting longer than an Archicad version, and it is not always a good idea to change up...

Re: Can't identify a .pln’s originating Archicad version before opening on macOS

Lee Hankins — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 19:13:11 GMT

This was a really annoying change to macOS Sequoia. Tahoe still doesn’t show the information anymore. What we do is add the Archicad version used to work on the file in to the file name.

Re: Can't identify a .pln’s originating Archicad version before opening on macOS

Barry Kelly — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 02:05:35 GMT

If you have Archicad running already, and you browse to open a file, you should see the version in the open dialogue.

If you don't it means that the file is for a newer version than the Archicad version you are currently using.

I know that is not the answer you want, but it may help if you already have a version of Archicad running.

Otherwise is the Finder information that is shows customisable? (I know nothing about Macs).

Barry.

Re: Can't identify a .pln’s originating Archicad version before opening on macOS

Lingwisyer — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 05:37:36 GMT

If you are not already utilising it, you could set the AC version logo as the Project Preview.

Ling.

Re: Can't identify a .pln’s originating Archicad version before opening on macOS

LukaS — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 06:47:28 GMT

Yes, the suggestions above are helpful (we also started saving filenames with AC number), but all require additional manual step, which should not be the case.

I’ve tried to create Quick Action with Automator, but heuristic .pln file scans/scripts gave no reliable solution.

I think it’s more of a macOS problem, but was hoping Graphisoft could do something with files so Spotlight/Preview could read more metadata.

Re: Can't identify a .pln’s originating Archicad version before opening on macOS

Lingwisyer — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 06:58:23 GMT

I made it part of our template for each version of AC we use, so I only do it once each time we want to start using a new version. But yeah, given the file version is visible to the OS, I wish it would automatically use the correct AC version, rather than always needing to "open with"...

Re: Can't identify a .pln’s originating Archicad version before opening on macOS

LukaS — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:04:37 GMT

This issue has been resolved with 29.1.0 update on 03/26/2026.