Overview
The FireCAD project file (.atp or .atpx) is tightly linked to the drawing (.dwg) file and other supporting files in the project folder. Using AutoCAD's Save As on just the drawing produces a new .dwg that is no longer connected to the project, so device connections and circuits will not carry over.
The correct way to create a revision or backup is to copy the entire project folder.
Steps
- Close the project in FireCAD so all files are released.
- In Windows Explorer, navigate to the parent folder that contains the project.
- Copy the entire project folder and paste it alongside the original.
- Rename the copy with a revision number or date (for example,
MyProject_Rev2orMyProject_2026-04-15).
Rename only the copied folder. Leave the files inside it alone — the drawing keeps its link to the project because its filename never changed.
What not to do
-
Do not rename the
.dwgand then remove the drawing from the project and add it back. Removing a drawing clears the devices and connections that live on it, so adding it back gives you an empty drawing. If you have already renamed a.dwg, re-point the project at it with Add or Update Project Drawings instead of removing it. -
Do not use Save As on the drawing to make the revision. That produces a new
.dwgthat is no longer connected to the project, so devices, circuits, and connections do not carry over.
Notes
- Every copy of the folder is a fully functioning, self-contained project snapshot. You can open it, edit it, or archive it independently of the original.
- This approach also preserves any attached PDFs, datasheets, or exports that live alongside the project.
- For incremental crash protection, see Embedded Drawing Backup & Recovery.
- If your projects live in OneDrive, Dropbox, or another synced folder, see Working From OneDrive, Dropbox, or Other Synced Folders — sync can lock or damage the project file while FireCAD is writing to it.
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