Exporting Projects, Assets, and Disconnected Files

Reference Number: KB-03212
Last Modified: May 13, 2025

QUESTION

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


ANSWER

In X17, projects and assets can easily be exported from Chief Architect using the Export functions available throughout the program.

Reasons you might perform an export of these files:

Note: If you're using X16 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. [#] plan file and [#] layout file were saved." Click OK.

    Information dialog that states the project export has completed


Exporting assets and other files (Project Management Only)

  1. With Project Management enabled, navigate to Tools> Asset Management , locate and select the file that you want to export in the dialog that displays, then click Export.

    Alternatively, you can navigate to File> Export> Export Managed Resources , locate and select the file you want to export, then click Browse.

    Asset Management dialog where project assets can be managed and exported


    If a file, such as a PDF, image, etc. is located directly within a project, navigate to the file within the Project Browser instead, right-click on the file, then 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.

    Right-click on an image, PDF, etc in the Project Browser to export it using the contextual menu


  2. In the dialog that appears, specify a location to export the file(s) to, then click Select Folder and/or OK, if applicable.


  3. An Information dialog will appear stating "Resource export is complete." Click Open Location or OK.

    Information dialog stating the resource export has completed


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. 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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