Modules not saving .bpn version

[BelindaM]

I've had this issue in Archi20 and now in Archi27 and am hoping it is a user setting I haven't yet found.

When I save a .pln file a .bpn file is created automatically... no problem there. However, I use .mod files a lot, and sometimes they create a .bpn and sometimes they don't, and I don't know why.

I have selected 'make backup copy' option in Work Environment. Unchecked it, restarted, checked in again and same problem.

For obvious reasons, the backup copy is important. However, I've also found that if I don't have a .bpn file for that .mod then none of my Views in the .mod will save for me to work on next time I open that file. Very frustrating, hoping someone can help!

Thanks,

Belinda

[Lingwisyer]

However, I've also found that if I don't have a .bpn file for that .mod then none of my Views in the .mod will save for me to work on next time I open that file.

I did not think that .mod files contained any data other than what was drawn on the floor plan? If you need to retain Views and such, you could just Hotlink .pln files.

•A .mod file contains only model and Floor Plan data

•A .mod file includes Embedded objects, but no information from Section/Elevation/IE, Worksheet/Detail, or 3D Document data

Ling.

[BelindaM]

Thanks Ling. Agreed - the master file will not import views and layouts, etc. from the .mod file.

However I've always been able to save them in the .mod file itself so when I reopen it it's easy to draft.

I'm hoping that someone might still know the reason why sometimes the .mod files aren't creating a .bpn file when saved, even with 'make backup copy' selected.

Thanks,

Belinda

[Barry Kelly · Accepted solution]

I have never known a MOD file to have a .BPN backup.

Only .PLN files do that.

A .PLN can be placed as a module.

Likewise .MOD files do not save views.

I just created a MOD file, opened in a separate Archicad, and created a view and made some changes to the model.

Saved and closed.

Update the module in the master PLN and it updates with the changes.

Open the module again in separate Archicad and there are no views saved and there is no .BPN in the folder.

So I suspect you are hotlinking in an actual .PLN file.

Barry.

[Karl Ottenstein]

No, Ling is correct.  Mod files do not contain views and only contain attributes for elements inside the file.  They are an extremely lightweight file format that you can think of as an external clipboard.

Editing mod files that are fully 2D for generic details for example is (generally) fine…line types and pen coordination notwithstanding.  Editing mod files for any 3D use is risky… using them as the basis for save-as one-off GDL parts being an exception.  In general, it is best to create mod files by publishing them from a PLN file (which of course contains views attributes and all other data).  This assures that your MOD attributes are all indexed identically and to all projects that you either hotlink or merge them into.

If you open a mod file, your environment (attributes, etc) will come from the last full project file that you had open…not the mod file itself.  (At least that’s how it used to work.). That is why it may seem that the mod file contains more information than it really does.

See also:

https://help.graphisoft.com/AC/28/INT/index.htm?rhcsh=1&rhnewwnd=0&rhmapid=#t=_AC28_Help%2F080_Colla...

[Lingwisyer]

In place editting when?

[Barry Kelly]

---

@Lingwisyer wrote:

In place editting when?

---

If you Publish the MOD - ideally from a lower storey (Ice berg method), then there is no real need for in place editing?

It is then always published as the same MOD file and you do not have to open in a separate Archicad to edit.

Edit the original, publish and update hotlinks.

And as Karl mentioned, has all the same attributes as the file it is in.

Barry.

[Lingwisyer]

One major issue I have found with the Ice Berg Method is the annotation of multi-story modules...

In one project, I have a site model "above water", then "submerged" I have each of my units positioned below where they are on the site. A few of these units have common parts which are saved as MODs from the top common unit.

To create a multi-story MOD I am needing to go into 3D, but that means that I cannot include annotation within the MOD as that cannot be selected in 3D. So you resort to annotating it once it has been placed, but each time you update your MOD, anthing that was associative just vanishes into thin air instead of becoming static...

I have found that you can create a multi-story MOD using the 3D Marquee in order to include everything, but that causes seperate issues, some which have can be resolved with the introduction of Design Options.

I have gone quite far off topic,

Ling.

[BelindaM]

 

Hi all,

My first screenshot shows all the .mods I have created, along with automatically created .bpn files (except for the highlighted 'P Int A' mod which triggered my post).

The second screenshot is when I freshly open the .mod - those working views I created and are still there and allow me to easily edit the .mod, save it and then update my master .pln file.

I'm gathering from this discussion that this is not possible with v27 which is a shame as it makes life so much easier when I'm updating so many .mods in a file 120 dwellings strong!

I think it's time I watched a few updated tutorials on the .mod functionality for v27 - can you recommend any good ones?

Thanks,

Belinda

[Barry Kelly]

You are doing something out of the ordinary.

Your file list shows a file called "L Ext B.MOD" but the file type is BPN - that is not possible.

But I see you are not showing the file extension for the files, and the '.MOD' is not the file extension, but is part of the name.

Turn the file extensions on in your file browser settings.

You should see the file name is "L Ext B.MOD.BPN" ?

I think what may be happening is you are opening a file and then doing "Save As" and changing to a .MOD file type.

This is fine, but the file you still have open is the .PLN.

So if you just hit 'Save" it will create a .BPN of that PLN file that is open.

You are not re-saving the MOD file if you do this.

The only way to edit and save the MOD file is to actually open that file.

Then when you do save it, it will not create a BPN file.

And the views for that MOD file will be empty (you are showing layouts in your image - not views).

Barry.