Backup / Email Job Wizard, Updated

by Gary Mann

The Email Job wizard is an effective method of compiling all the required MEPworx project files from various discrete locations and can be found in the Utilities section, as shown above.

The first radio button gives the option of copying to another folder, drive, Cloud or memory device in an uncompressed state. The second option will automatically compress the files for archiving and the final option will attach the zipped project file to an email.

Creating a backup on completion, or at each project milestone, will ensure that you always have all the required files, including bespoke, or edited DB’s and the DXF files used, located together in a single location.

Sending the *.CYC file only, will ensure you will be asked to send all the associated files and increase the response time taken from support.uk@arkance.world

There are two methods of initiating the backup and emailing MEPworx project files:

1. If the project file is open, the program will use the path of the currently open file. This is the preferred and simplest method.

2. When the project has not recently been opened, then you would need to path to the *.CYC location using the Browse option.

The dialog above shows the existing location of the current file. Full instructions are available to view on each page of the wizard.

The default option is “all checkboxes ticked” so that all component files of the project are included. If all files are not included, the recipient may not be able to open or access the project.

Notable exceptions are if the project has recently been sent to the recipient, un-tick any item that has not changed since the last backup, e.g. DXF files or databases, as this will help reduce the size of the compressed file.

gbXML Files. (green building extensible markup files). This option will search the project folder and include any *.XML files, which is the default file extension for any gbXML. 

If the ‘Use MEPworx working folders’ option is ticked, the wizard will look into the current project folder if it cannot locate the required files in the MEPworx installed location. If the utility still cannot locate a specific file, you will have the option of locating the missing file by using the browse facility. The screenshot below shows some, but not all the files required in a project.

A “CYC” file is a text file containing all the project details, components and values.

The NCT file is the iSBEM, National Calculation Template file that is accessed by the iSBEM free issue program from the BRE.

CAD files are in DXF format and can be created by most CAD programs currently available, including MEPworx’s, QuickPlan.

All database files are included and are named accordingly, e.g.

Weather,   DBE -Database Environment. (Set of three, DBE, 01E & 02E)

Lighting,     DBX - Database Light Fittings (Set of three, DBX, 01X & 02X)

Materials,  DBU - Database U-values.

Piping ,       DBP - Database Pipe, both Piping & Public Health.

Ducting,     DBD - Database Duct.

Notes,         NTC - Electronic “Post It” Notes file, which has a screen shortcut (N)

If a project has been imported via the gbXML format, you will have the option to include the XML file in the ZIP archive.

It would be difficult and time-consuming to attempt to manually collate all the above project files.

An email template is displayed, awaiting details of the project and recipient.

Ticking “Is this a support request?” ensures the ARKANCE support address will be automatically added, along with the project name and prompt requesting more details to be added to the message body.

Please add sufficient information…..Filling in comprehensively will prevent support from having to call back requesting additional information, contact details etc, saving valuable time. An update may be published to advise of your progress.

Microsoft Outlook will normally ask your permission as MEPworx is attempting to utilise Outlook to send an email. Selecting the “Allow access for - 1 minute” should suffice.

Confirmation that the files have been successfully emailed finishes the wizard and allows you to sleep peacefully at night.

What to do if the above doesn’t happen?

More often nowadays, email services may prevent Zip file attachments added to emails from external programs. In such cases, a message will appear, see below.

An email may advise where the project files have been saved. Clicking OK, if it does not, then select “New email”.

The zip file has been temporarily stored in the Temp Folder and the path saved to the M.S. Windows clipboard.

From the Insert Ribbon, use Browse and Paste the path that has been stored in the Windows clipboard by using Ctrl+V, where it awaits the File name.

Don’t forget that you have a copy of the *.zip file in your email-sent items folder. If for any reason the email feature does not work, simply make a backup using the above utility and then manually attach to an email and add the required instructions.

Drop me a note if there is something else you would like to see -  gary.mann@arkance.world