File Management

Save, load, and manage your structural models in AutoCalcs. Your work is preserved between sessions, and signed-in users get cloud sync across devices.

Opening the File Manager

Click the folder icon in the top-left corner of the ribbon, or press Ctrl+O to open the File Manager dialog.

Saving Your Work

AutoCalcs automatically saves your current model to browser local storage as you work. To save a named project:

  1. Click the save icon in the ribbon or press Ctrl+S
  2. Enter a name for your project
  3. Click Save

The project name appears in the top ribbon. An asterisk (*) indicates unsaved changes.

New Project

To start fresh with an empty model:

  1. Open the File Manager
  2. Click New Project
  3. Confirm to clear the current model

Loading Models

To open a previously saved model:

  1. Open the File Manager (Ctrl+O)
  2. Select from your list of saved projects
  3. Click Open or double-click the project

Local vs Cloud Storage

Projects can be stored locally in your browser or in the cloud:

Local Storage

  • Local files are marked with an orange Local tag in the File Manager
  • Stored in your browser's localStorage - clearing browser data will delete them
  • Only accessible on the device and browser where they were created
  • No account required

Cloud Storage (Sign In Required)

  • Cross-device access - Access your projects from any computer
  • Persistent storage - Projects won't be lost if you clear browser data
  • Secure - Your work is stored safely in the cloud

Sign in to save projects to the cloud. Remember to save regularly - cloud projects are updated when you click Save.

File Manager Toolbar

The File Manager includes a toolbar with additional features:

  • New / Folder - Create a new project or folder to organise your files
  • Copy / Cut / Paste - Duplicate or move projects between folders
  • Import / Export - Import and export AutoCalcs JSON files, DXF geometry files, or IFC geometry files
  • Share - Create a share link from the ribbon (cloud-saved projects). Recipients get their own copy in their account; your project is not modified
  • Delete - Remove selected projects or folders
  • Search - Filter projects by name
  • Sort - Order files by name or date
  • View modes - Switch between list, grid, and thumbnail views

DXF Import

Import existing geometry from CAD by loading a DXF file. Supported DXF entities are converted as follows:

  • POINT - Converted to standalone nodes, except stale point clouds lying on imported plate faces are ignored when the plate is remeshed
  • LINE - Converted to nodes and members
  • 3DFACE / SOLID - Converted to plate meshes with default plate properties
  • Closed LWPOLYLINE / POLYLINE with 3 or 4 vertices - Converted to plate meshes
  • Automatic node merging - Nodes within 1mm tolerance are merged into a single node

Imported DXF coordinates are automatically rebased near the app origin, with the horizontal model centred around zero and the vertical base set to zero. Imported plates use the app's default plate setup: material 1, 200mm thickness, and the same default mesh-density policy used when drawing plates in the model. To import a DXF, use Import → DXF file in the File Manager toolbar and select your .dxf file.

IFC Import

Import basic structural geometry from a IFC file. To import an IFC, use Import → IFC file in the File Manager toolbar and select your .ifc file.

IFC import is a basic geometry import, not a full BIM/Revit round trip. The importer converts supported IFC entities into the app's node, member, and plate objects, and skips unsupported BIM objects with warnings rather than blocking the whole file.

  • Nodes - IfcStructuralPointConnection is converted to standalone app nodes
  • Members - IfcBeam / IfcBeamStandardCase, IfcColumn / IfcColumnStandardCase, IfcMember / IfcMemberStandardCase, and IfcStructuralCurveMember are converted to 2-node app members when a usable axis curve is present
  • Member body fallback - IfcBeam and IfcColumn can also be imported from simple tessellated or CSG/extruded body geometry by deriving a centreline from the body
  • Plates - IfcSlab / IfcSlabStandardCase / IfcSlabElementedCase, IfcPlate / IfcPlateStandardCase, IfcStructuralSurfaceMember, and simple wall-only IfcWall bodies are converted to app plate meshes when a usable footprint, swept body boundary, or wall axis/body is available
  • Simple polygon slabs and plates - Triangular, quadrilateral, and simple triangulatable polygon boundaries are converted into plate mesh groups when the boundary is planar and has no voids
  • Simple walls - Wall-only IFCs can import walls as filled vertical plate surfaces; wall openings, windows, and doors are ignored rather than meshed as voids
  • Automatic unit and coordinate conversion - IFC length units are converted to metres, standard IFC/Revit Z-up coordinates are converted to the app's Y-up model coordinates, and imported coordinates are rebased near the app origin

Imported IFC members and plates use app defaults: material 1, section 1 for members, and default plate thickness when no reliable IFC thickness is available. IFC material, profile, and storey names are captured as mapping candidates and reported in the import warnings, but they are not automatically converted into app material or section rows.

By default, obvious architectural slab layers such as finish floors, roof finishes, coverings, and subfloor layers are filtered out so they are not turned into analysis plates. Doors, windows, roofs, footings, generic building-element proxies, loads, load cases, combinations, supports, releases, materials, sections, and analysis settings remain outside the basic IFC import path.

Boolean-cut or voided slabs are skipped unless their openings can be represented cleanly. This avoids silently filling openings with incorrect plate elements.

DXF Export

Use Export → DXF file in the File Manager toolbar or Export DXF file from a project menu to export geometry for CAD coordination. DXF export writes user-created nodes as POINT entities, members as LINE entities, and plate mesh groups as boundary 3DFACE entities. Generated plate mesh nodes and diaphragm phantom masters are omitted. Loads, load cases, combinations, materials, sections, and analysis settings remain JSON-only.

Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Ctrl+S - Save current project
  • Ctrl+O - Open File Manager