Task:

You want to transfer a project with all its settings to a partner office for further editing.

Note:

The following description works only if both partners use the same version of Allplan (Allplan 2018-1 or later).

1. Backing up the project:

Before you back up the project, make sure that “office” or “project” is selected for the path settings of the project.
To do this, open ProjectPilot and select the project: right mouse button -> Properties-> Settings. Here, you can select the path settings.
For exchanging projects with partner offices, we recommend that you switch all project settings to “project”.
This ensures that all pen definitions and line definitions, user-defined fonts, patterns and hatching styles, bar and mesh cross-section catalogs, and layer definitions will be copied to the project and backed up together with the project.

Note:
After the backup, switch the path settings back to “office”. But do not change the paths that already had the “project” setting.

Start Allplan and select the “File” menu -> “New Project, Open Project...”.
Right-click the project that you want to back up and select "Create project backup".
(Allplan 2018: Select “Compress and export project”: )
Select the folder where you want to save the project.

2. Importing the project:

To add a compressed project to the "New Project, Open Project" dialog box

Start Allplan and select the “File” menu -> “New Project, Open Project...”.

• Drag a compressed project (*.zip) from the desktop or from File Explorer into the "New Project, Open Project" dialog box.
• Specify the folder and enter a name for the project; then, click OK.
• Allplan unzips the project, adding it to the project list.

Task:

You have installed Allplan on several local workstations. Now you want to change the installation so that you can access a common network drive.



Note:

Before you switch to a network installation, it is essential that you back up all the data of all the workstations.
We strongly recommend that you take advantage of the expertise of Nemetschek’s technical support staff. We are happy to help you!



Solution:

The following description shows how to change several workstations where Allplan is installed locally and the project data is also stored locally on each computer to workstations with a common network drive without Workgroup Manager.

1st - getting ready
Choose one of the workstations where you will install all the projects and the office standard (hereinafter referred to as the main workstation).
First, move all the projects to the main workstation.

1.a: copying resources into projects
To make sure that the projects in your office have a uniform appearance, change the path settings for the projects' resources to 'Project'.
Make the following setting for each project:
Allplan -> File menu -> ProjectPilot - Admin -> select the individual projects one after the other -> right mouse button -> Properties -> Settings tab
Set the path settings for 'Pen and line definitions', 'Fonts', 'Patterns, hatching styles, area styles', 'Bar and mesh cross-section catalogs', 'Layer structures, line styles, drawing types' and 'Attributes proposed' from 'Office' to 'Project', if necessary.
The corresponding elements are copied from the office standard directly to the project. This ensures that the project settings stay the same even when you copy the project to the new server with the new office standard.

1.b: same folder name as project name
Open the 'General' tab and select the 'Same folder name as project name' setting if you want to proceed as described in 2b.

1.c: pen color ("Color stands for pen")
The pen color for the "Color stands for pen" setting is a user-specific setting that is not saved in the project but in the user folder (...\Usr).

2.a: backing up projects of the individual workstations and importing them to the main workstation (recommended method):
Back up the individual projects. To do this, open the Services application and select Data Backup -> Create -> Entire folders -> Projects.
You can back up several projects in a single operation.
Before you start, specify the backup folder on the network or on the local hard disk: Services application -> Configuration -> Backup path ->Browse for Folder.

The next step is to import the saved projects to the main workstation.To do this, open theServices application -> Data Backup -> Import -> Projects Before you import the individual projects, you can create new Allplan projects at the main computer. As an alternative, you can also create a new project during the import.

2.b: backing up projects of the individual workstations and importing them to the main workstation (special approach):
This approach should only be used with good reason for exceptional cases as it requires in-depth knowledge of Windows.
With this method, Windows Explorer is used to import the projects to the main workstation.
If some project names exist twice, you need to rename these projects before you back them up.

You can then rename the existing 'project.dat' file in the Prj folder of the main workstation.
Next, select the Services application -> Service -> Hotline Tools -> reorg -> Restore project management file.
The system creates a new project administration file (project.dat), which should list all projects with names.

Now the main workstation contains the latest version of all the projects of the office.

3rd - merging project defaults
Open ProjectPilot at the individual workstations and copy the elements you want to transfer (symbols, smart symbols, lists, schedules, and so on) to the external path. Of course, you can set the external path to a common network folder that can be accessed by all workstations.
Next, open ProjectPilot at the main workstation and copy the contents of the external path to the office standard.

4th - data backup

• Back up the projects, office standard and user settings at the main workstation:
  You can also copy the ..\prj (projects), ..\std (office standard) and ..\usr (user folder) paths to a backup folder (Nemsic, for example) on the hard disk.
• In addition, you need to back up the ..\usr\local folder at every stand-alone computer.
• Export the user interface setting of each user to a file: Allplan -> Tools - > Customize .... -> Export...

5th - uninstalling
Remove Allplan from all workstations.

6th - reinstalling
Before you install the same version again, create and share a folder (Nemdata, for example) on the future data server. Create a subfolder - Allplan - in this folder.

The next step is to reinstall the same version on all the workstations.

Specify the following installation paths:
Program folder:
local (C:\Programs\Nemetschek\Allplan, for example)
Central file storage folder:
Browse -> Network...
Find the sharedNemdata folder and select the Allplan folder.

After this, start installing.

7th - testing the start and restoring the backup
After the installation (check whether Allplan starts), copy the ..\prj and ..\std folders you backed up from the main workstation to the new ...\Nemdata\Allplan server folder.

Next, use Windows Explorer to copy the contents of the former user folder (…\usr\local) of the stand-alone workstation to the new user folder of the computer you just installed.

8th - updating the project administration file
Go to the project.datfile in the ...\Nemdata\Allplan\Prjfolder and rename itproject.alt.After this, do the following:
Services application -> Service -> Hotline Tools -> reorg -> Restore project management file.

9th - summary
Now all the workstations access a common network drive with the same project pool and office standard.
With this type of installation, only one user can access a project at any one time. If several users are to work on a project at the same time, you need to install Workgroup Manager.

Questions:

Why can’t I see anything in a project or why are elements missing from drawing files?
Why are layers not visible?
Why is it not possible to select a privilege set in layer selection?



Answer:

Probably, you have not yet been assigned any privilege sets or the layers are frozen in the privilege set in question. First, check whether you can select another privilege set.


1. Selecting another privilege set

To do this, select the project in question and open the layer settings(Format -> Select, Set Layers). Go to the “Privilege set in list box” area at the top on the right and check whether you can select another privilege set (for example, ALLPLAN).
By default, all layers have full access rights in the predefined ALLPLAN privilege set.

If there is no privilege set with full access rights, you should assign the privilege sets correctly.
This can only be done by a user with administrator privilegesor, in the case of a project-specific layer structure, by the project owner.

Thus, log on as a user with administrator privileges and do the following:


2. Assigning a privilege set

Select the project with the frozen layers.

Open the layer settings(Format -> Select, Set Layers). Switch to the "Privilege Set" tab and click Define, modify privilege set.

Select the relevant user and assign the privilege set using the arrows.

Click OKto confirm.


3. Adjusting layers’ access rights in the privilege set

Finally, check the access rights of the layers in the privilege set assigned.
Go to the "Privilege set in list box" area at the top on the right and select the relevant privilege set (for example, ALLPLAN).

Check the area on the left to see whether there are frozen layers (gray or white). To change this, select these layers or simply select all layers using CTRL+A. Then click the Full access right (modifiable)icon in the “Change rights” area.
Click OKto confirm.

The next time you open this project, you can select this privilege set in the layer settings. You can then see all layers and set them to modifiable.

Do the same with print sets.


Alternative:

Since version 2006, the administrator has been able to select Show all users all print sets and privilege setsin the “Administrator options” group on the “Privilege Set” tab (“Design group” in version 2006). Thus, you do not need to assign new users to privilege sets. This option applies to all projects.

However, as soon as a user has been given a privilege set or print set, this option no longer applies to this user.



Note:

As a project can have its own layer structure, it is essential that you check the privilege set in the correct project.
To find out whether a project has its own layer structure, click
File -> New Project, Open Project-> right-click the relevant project -> Properties. Check whether the path settings for Layerstructuresare set to Officeor Project.

Question:
How can I work together on a project with a partner from another country?

Answer: Using Allplan 2019 and later, you can work on projects across countries. You can define projects in a country-specific manner. This means that a project gets the resources (for example, hatching, patterns, layers and so on) and reinforcement settings of a specific country. Depending on your license, you can install one or more additional country packages. For example, you can then create a project with resources and settings for Germany and another one with resources and settings for the UK. Requirements: Whether you can use country packages depends on the Allplan license. Only the ‘Cubed’ and ‘Exponential’ license types include country packages. These license types enable you to use as many country packages as you like. You can create and open projects with any country code. The ‘Lineared’ and ‘Squared’ license types only include one country package by default. This also applies to all conventional license types such as ‘Architecture’ and ‘Engineering’. In other words, you can only create and open projects with this country code. Installing country packages: When installing Allplan 2019 for the first time or upgrading from Allplan 2018 or earlier, you must explicitly install the additional country packages. A default installation onlyinstalls the country package of your country. If you want to use different country packages, you must do a custom installation. Only a custom installation allows you to select the country packages you want to install. You can do this whenever you want - be it the first installation or an upgrade or update. Doing a custom installation: Start Setup. Select Customfor the Setup type. When it comes to selecting Features, you can select the language packages you want to install. You can see a list of all Allplan languages included in your license. After this, you can select the countries. Select the country packages you want to install. Click ‘Next’ to confirm all other dialog boxes. Note:Please note that the more country packages you select, the longer the installation will take and the more hard disk space will be required. Using country packages in Allplan: You must define the country when you create a project. You cannot change the country later. Creating a new project: When creating a new project, you can select the county in country-specific templates. Select the country and the template you need. If you do not select a project template, you must select the required country in the next dialog box. In the project: The status bar shows the country set for a project. The units for length entries and reinforcement set in the Options are project-specific settings. These units are preset depending on the country selected. Important note: When checking out a project in a workgroup environment, you can choose which country-specific office standard you want to check out. Click in the ‘License Settings’ to see which countries are included in your license. There is a default country, which is usually the country entered in your license. Setup always installs the data for this default country in the STD and ETC folders. During installation, Setup creates a STD.??? folder and an ETC.??? folder for each additionalcountry package selected (??? stands for the country code). The office path and default path are always based on the country set for the project that is currently open. That is to say, when you open a project and save a favorite or library element in the office path or default path, these elements will only be available in projects with the same country settings. ProjectPilot is an exception; here, the office path and default path always refer to the STD and ETC folders.

Question:

What are the reasons why I cannot modify the format properties (pen thickness, color, ...) of elements in a DWG/DXF file I have just imported?



Answer:

There are four reasons why these elements cannot be modified.

1st -the elements are smart symbols:

• To retain the smart symbols but still be able to modify the elements, select Modify -> Bonus Tools -> Smart Symbols -> Modify Smart Symbol(until V2006: Modify -> Bonus Tools -> Smart Symbols -> Modify Display Parameters) and click the relevant element. Now you can modify it (using Modify Format Properties, for example). For more detailed information on how to modify smart symbols, please contact us.
• If you do not want to retain the smart symbol, you can also resolve it: Modify -> Bonus Tools -> Smart Symbols -> Unlink Smart Symbol, select the smart symbol(s) you want to resolve and click the right mouse button to confirm.
• To resolve the smart symbols during import, select the file to be imported, click the"Options..."button,open the "Advanced Settings" tab (until Allplan 2008 "Advanced Transfer Settings")and select the"Smart symbol"check box in the"Explode elements" area. To confirm the dialog box, click OKand open the file.

2nd - theelements are composite elements:

• To explode a composite element, select Modify -> Advanced Draft -> Explode Composite Element. Select the composite element(s).
• To resolve the composite elements during import, select the file to be imported, click the "Options..." button, open the"Advanced Settings" tab" (until Allplan 2008: "Advanced Transfer Settings") andselect the "Composite elements"check box in the"Explode compounds" area. To confirm the dialog box, click OKand open the file.

3rd - the elements are on frozen layers:

• To modify these elements, you first have to set the corresponding layers to modifiable. Open the layer selection by clickingFormat -> Select, Set Layers.On theSelect Layer/Visibilitytab, set all the layers to modifiable.

4th - the elements have the "from layer" format property:

• To find this out, click an element with the right mouse button and selectFormat Propertieson the shortcut menu: pen thickness, line type or line color is not available for elements with the "from layer" format property.
• To modify the format properties of the layer, select Format -> Select, Set Layers and open the'Format Definition' tab. Check that the''Match from layer based on line style, pen, line, color assigned (fixed setting)"optionis selected in the"Layers' format properties" area. Next, select the layer on which the element resides and change its format properties.
• To remove this property, clickEdit -> Modify Format Properties, select the"Change 'from layer' for pen, line and color" option(pen thickness, line type and line color must not be selected) and select the elements.
• To resolve the "from layer" property during import, select the file to be imported, click the "Options..." button, open the"Advanced Settings" tab" (until Allplan 2008: "Advanced Transfer Settings") andselect the "From layer"check box in the"Explode compounds" area. To confirm the dialog box, click OKand open the file.

Note:

If you have any further questions regarding data exchange, this topic is described in detail in the online Help. All you need to do is press the F1 key. Open the Index tab and selectInterfaces.

Question:

Can I run Allplan 2018 on an Apple computer?



Answer:

Basically, you have two options to run Allplan 2018 on an Apple computer.


1. Allplan 2018 with Parallels Desktop 13

Quality assurance at Allplan tested this option with the following components:


Hardware requirements

• iMac (end of 2015 or later)
• Intel Core i5, i7 or i9 processor
• 16 GB of RAM
• 50 GB of free hard disk space
• AMD graphics card or NVIDIA graphics card (Note: Parallels does not support OpenGL 3.3. Consequently, Allplan uses GDI+, and the graphics card is labeled as unsuitable by the system test.)

You can also use the following hardware, which was not tested:

• MacBook Pro (end of 2015 or later)
• Intel Core i7, i9
• NVIDIA graphics card

Software requirements

• Mac macOS High Sierra 10.13.1 or later
• Parallels Desktop 13 for Mac
• Windows 10 Pro, 64-bit
• Allplan 2018-0-6 or later

Please note that running Allplan 2018 on Parallels Desktop 13 is much slower than running Allplan 2018 on a native Windows operating system.
Parallels Desktop 13 supports OpenGL 3.2. Therefore, Allplan 2018 must use the GDI+ mode, which is generally not suitable for architectural data. We do not recommend using this approach. Parallels Desktop 13 is available as a free 30-day version. So, you can test Parallels Desktop 13 for 30 days and see for yourself.

Important note: You cannot activate an Allplan trial license or presentation license with Parallels Desktop 13.



2. Allplan 2018 with Boot Camp

This option has not been tested by quality assurance at Allplan. With Boot Camp, Allplan 2018 runs on a native Windows operating system. Therefore, Allplan 2018 with Boot Camp is faster than Allplan 2018 with Parallels Desktop 13.
Make sure you use current hardware and software (Mac macOS High Sierra 10.13.1 or later).
We do not provide support for this installation.



Note:

You can find the software requirements and hardware requirements for Allplan 2018 on this page:

https://www.allplan.com/info/sys2018