Exporting Projects and Disconnected Files

Reference Number: KB-03212
Last Modified: August 21, 2026

QUESTION

I am using X17, Home Designer 2026, or a newer version, and I need to send a project to someone, or transfer a project over to another computer. What is the best way to accomplish this? 


ANSWER

In X17, Home Designer 2026, and newer versions, projects can easily be exported using the Export function(s).

Reasons you might perform an export of these files:

Note: If you're using X16, Home Designer 2025, or a prior version, please refer to the "Using the Backup Entire Plan/Layout Tool" resource located in the Related Articles section.


Exporting projects

  1. There are several ways to export projects:

    • With Project Management enabled, navigate to File> Export> Export Project  while a plan or layout is open.

    • With Project Management enabled, access the Project Browser , right-click on a single project, and select Export from the contextual menu. 

      Note: On a Mac, hold down the Control key while clicking to initiate a right-click command. More information about right-click commands on Apple input devices can be found in the following Apple resource: Right-click on Mac.


      Contextual menu that appears when right-clicking on a project in X17

    • Using Traditional File Management, navigate to File> Export> Export Plan as Project if you're in a plan file, or Export Layout as Project if you're in a layout file. 

      Note: If you use the Export Layout as Project tool while in a layout file, the layout and all plans associated with the layout will be backed up. However, if you use the Export Plan as Project tool while in a plan file, only the plan will be backed up.



  2. With Project Management enabled, the Export Project Options dialog will display next.

    If you're using Traditional File Management, skip to the next step.

    Export Project Options dialog where files can be included or excluded for the export

    • Check/uncheck the files that you would like to include/exclude using the Include File column.

    • You can also click the Select All/Deselect All buttons to quickly include/exclude all of the files in the dialog.

    • Click OK. 


  3. In the dialog that appears next, specify a File name, a location to save the project to, then click Save.


  4. An Information dialog will appear stating "Project export is complete..." Click OK.

    Information dialog that states the project export has completed


    All of the files that were included in Step 2 above, as well as all of the referenced asset files associated with the project will be included in the exported file. This project (*.caproj) file can now be backed up or sent to another computer or Chief Architect/Home Designer user. 

    Although all referenced assets are included in a project export, individual assets can also be exported independently if you're using Project Management. Navigate to Tools> Asset Management, select the asset file you want to export, then click "Export". Alternatively, you can navigate to File> Export> Export Managed Resources, select the asset file you want to export, then click "Browse".

    You can also export individual files that are located directly within the Project Browser; right-click on a file within the side window, then click "Export" from the contextual menu.



Exporting disconnected plans and layouts (Project Management only)

  1. With Project Management enabled, right-click on a plan or layout within the Project Browser , then click Export Disconnected Plan or Export Disconnected Layout. 

    Note: On a Mac, hold down the Control key while clicking to initiate a right-click command. More information about right-click commands on Apple input devices can be found in the following Apple resource: Right-click on Mac.


  2. A Warning will appear stating that "This export will not include any referenced files (linked plans/layouts, images, textures, etc.), and is not recommended. To export with references, instead consider 'Export' at the Project level." Click Continue to proceed or Cancel to cancel the operation. 

    Warning that appears when you export a disconnected plan or layout


  3. A Question dialog will appear asking if you want to export to a compressed (zipped) file? Click Yes or No to proceed. 


  4. In the dialog that appears next, specify a File name, a location to save the disconnected file to, then click Save.

    As the warning stated, only the plan/layout file is exported when performing this process; assets and connected files are not exported, so missing file references may occur.


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