topic Re: Zipping a project with wdp file to keep project structure in AutoCAD Electrical Forum

Zipping a project with wdp file to keep project structure

AutoCAD_Oozer — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 18:03:52 GMT

Hi, I want to zip my project, send it to customer in cad and be done with it. However when I zip, I only have the drawings in there. How can I send it to where when the customer unzips it, he does not have to rebuild it.

What I mean by that is, the order of drawings in my original project list, the subfolders, subfolder names, etc.

Is this something that can be done?

Re: Zipping a project with wdp file to keep project structure

TRLitsey — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 18:46:24 GMT

Hi there,

I did this some years ago. If I remember right I had a top folder. Under that folder was the schematic folder which contained the schematic drawings and all of the ACE Project support files. Another folder under the top folder was the panel layout/assembly with BOM and panel modification drawings. I don't exactly remember but I think I was using WinRAR to zip the files. When I did the zip, I only had to select the top folder and there was a selection in the zip features to "maintain file structure". It would unzip in the same file tree structure it had been originally on my workstation. Once it is unzipped the project could be opened like any other project. I believe this worked only because I did not hear any complaints from the customer or gripes from my boss.

Good luck

Re: Zipping a project with wdp file to keep project structure

AutoCAD_Oozer — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 18:50:25 GMT

This was zipped using "zip" from project tab?

Re: Zipping a project with wdp file to keep project structure

TRLitsey — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 18:56:36 GMT

WinRAR is an application like WinZip. I think you can find a free or trial version at CNET.com. Once it is installed you fire up the application and select the files/folders you want to put in an archive (zip) file just like you would in Windows Explorer. Give the archive file a name, click on the button to start and it crunch away.

Good luck

Re: Zipping a project with wdp file to keep project structure

AutoCAD_Oozer — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 20:31:44 GMT

I've got WinRAR set as the zip tool in the wd.env file

Project w Subfolders

So if I zip from the Project Tab

Zipping Project

I get the zipped project just fine and I have the drawings in the archive

Zipped ProjectArchived Drawings

If I zip this outside of ACADe I can keep the wdp file and anyone can recreate the project, but I usually get (for larger projects) projects that have to be shared through apps like Dropbox because they get so large.

I would like to use the ACADe zip function because it only archives the necessary files, drawings and AEPX (I don't know what aepx does) and I feel that this would create a less complicated file to share.

So when zipped using the ACADe Zip function, is it supposed to include the wdp file?

Re: Zipping a project with wdp file to keep project structure

rhesusminus — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 18:43:13 GMT

Yes. The WDP file is supposed to be there.

Have a look at these instructions, and see if you can make them work:
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-electrical-forum/how-to-add-7-zip-to-the-wd-env-file/m-p/7339806#M52893

Re: Zipping a project with wdp file to keep project structure

darok8 — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 17:52:21 GMT

Could you check the link, because it doesn't direct to where it is?

Re: Zipping a project with wdp file to keep project structure

rhesusminus — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 17:56:58 GMT

Feel free to say "thank you" to Autodesk. In their wisdom they've deleted all posts older than 10 years.

Re: Zipping a project with wdp file to keep project structure

darok8 — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 19:16:27 GMT

You mean you need to make a backup of your project in .ZIP, and send it to the client, but keep the folder structure, "Power", "Control", "Communications" etc.. as you have it in the AutoCAD Electrical environment, I would take two paths;
1.- Export in PDF and select "Include Bookmarks", that will keep the structure you generated, but it will only be in PDF.
2.- Export in .ZIP from AutoCAD Electrical and when you open it it should have the same structure that you generated in your project, well I did this in AutoCAD Electrical 2023 and it has worked for me.

Re: Zipping a project with wdp file to keep project structure

darok8 — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 19:18:42 GMT

It's good to know what you're saying, because I found what I was looking for on YouTube. Here's the link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9qIxz5u3bs