Help Database

Core, Bonus, and Manufacturer Library Catalogs

Core, Bonus, and Manufacturer library catalogs are located at:

• C:\ProgramData\ in Windows 8, Windows 7 or Vista;
  
  
• C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\ in Windows XP.
  
  

Look for a folder with the name of the program version you are using - for example, "Chief Architect Premier X5" - and open the folder.

Inside, you will see a number of folders - including Bonus Libraries, Core Libraries, Manufacturer Data, Manufacturer Libraries, Program_Data, and Referenced Files - as well as one file named dont_change.dat.

• All but two of these items - the Program_Data folder and the dont_change.dat file - contain library content.
  
  
• Program_Data and dont_change.dat both contain encrypted registration information and MUST NOT be copied or backed up.
  
  

Library Content from the User Catalog

To ensure that all material textures are included when you copy your User Catalog to a new computer, export the contents of your User Catalog and then import them into the library on your new computer. To learn how export the contents of the User Catalog, see the second half of article 91: How to back up library content.

To import your User Catalog on a new computer

1. Copy the exported contents of your User Catalog onto the new computer's hard drive.
   
   
   • Your Documents folder is a good place to save these files.
     
     
     
2. Launch Chief Architect and open a new plan.
   
   
   
3. Select Library> Import Library from the menu.  In the Import Library Data dialog:
   
   
   • Browse to the location where you saved your .calibz files.
     
     
   • Click on the name of one of the .calibz files from your User Catalog to select it.
     
     
   • Hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard and click on additional .calibz files to add them to your selection set.
     
     
   • Click the Open button to import the selected libraries into your User Catalog.
     
     

Toolbars, Hotkeys, and File Templates

Custom toolbars, hotkeys, template files, and other user-specific data is saved in the program Data folder. The program Data folder is located in your Documents directory and its name will begin with the full name and version of your Chief Architect program followed by the word Data - for example, "Chief Architect Premier X5 Data".

You can copy the entire program Data folder from one computer to another and simply place it in the same location.  As with library content, do not make this change while Chief Architect is running.

Plan and Layout Files

Although they do not affect the functionality of the program, you will probably also want to copy your drawings onto the new computer, as well.  To preserve the links between plan and layout files, it is best to maintain the same file structure as on the old computer. 

Remember to migrate related support files like images, and custom textures, as well.  One way to ensure that all files associated with a particular plan or layout are copied to the new computer is to use the Backup Entire Plan tool.  To learn more, see article 987: Using the Backup Entire Plan Tool.

For information about restoring broken layout links, see article 22: Files are missing from my layout file.