ArchiCAD file recovery after a crash

[Anonymous]

Hello ArchiCAD-Talkers,

ArchiCAD crashed on me today, but when I try to open the .pln file I get a warning box saying "Cannot Read Plan File", after saying o.k. to this, it then proceeds to open but the file is void of any elements. I tried the .bpn, and it has some columns, but that is all.

I tried the "forward merge" tip (tips and tricks), but this doesn't seem to work either.

Am I doomed here, or is there another option to recover all the work done on this project?

Any Suggestions?

[Anonymous]

It sounds bad Brent.

Is the .bpn so sparse because that was all that was saved, or is it missing things it should have?

Is it a lot of work lost? With the .bpn so sparse I am assuming it's not more than a day's work. It may be easier to redo than trying to recover. I have found in the (thankfully rare) occasions when I have lost data that it takes about one fifth the time to redo it since all the thinking has been done.

[Anonymous]

Well Matthew,

Actually all that was opening in the .pln was some steel columns. The .bpn had nothing in it. If it was a days work I would not be too upset, it was more like about two weeks, I was finishing up on the details for the building. The problem is the deadline for submission is this morning.

I am not too sure how ArchiCAD files work but, the .pln & .bpn are showing 9.72MB, which confuses me as a "new and reset" is about 1.2MB.

I have found a back-up CD with an earlier version of the project (no-where near the finished product), and I do agree with you, the second time around is quicker.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps you should contact GS about having a look at your file. It seems from the file size that at least some of the data is there.

I am assuming that you have looked for the data in every conceivable way; all layers on, all stories, all sections and 3D views.

It would be nice to have a file recovery utility for emergency situations like this, even a rough and ready one in the Special Menu. It would be especially nice if it could provide some reporting of actual errors found. This could even be a benefit to the development/debugging process. Even just extracting readable elements into modules would help.

[Anonymous]

I think I will take your advice and send GS the file, maybe they could figure it out. Hopefullly we (GS users) would benefit from a stronger programme.