Creating a New Project

Command

Command Description
ATCREATE_PROJECT Open the Project Creation Wizard

Ribbon: FireCAD > File > Create Project

Prerequisites

  • FireCAD must be loaded and licensed
  • If a project is currently open, you will be prompted to save and close it first

Overview

The ATCREATE_PROJECT command launches a two-page wizard that walks you through setting up a new FireCAD project. The wizard creates a project directory, copies drawing templates, imports devices and circuit templates from the master database, and registers everything in the project database.

Steps

Page 1: Project Setup

  1. Type ATCREATE_PROJECT in the AutoCAD command line
  2. If a project is already open, you'll be prompted to save and close it
  3. The Project Creation Wizard opens to the first page

On this page, configure:

Field Description
Project Name Name for your project (used as the folder name — cannot contain invalid file path characters)
Project Path Directory where the project folder will be created
Master Database Connection to the master database containing device and template definitions
Templates Select which circuit templates to import into the project
Devices Select which device definitions to import into the project
Drawing Files Select one or more .dwg files to include in the project
  1. Select your templates, devices, and drawing files
  2. Click Next to proceed to Page 2

Page 2: Project Properties

Configure the project metadata:

Field Description
Project Type Type of project
Industry Type Industry classification
Construction Type Construction classification
Occupancy Class Building occupancy class
City Project city
State Project state
Zip Project ZIP code
  1. Fill in the project properties, or click Skip to use defaults
  2. Click Finish to create the project

What Happens Next

When you click Finish, FireCAD:

  1. Creates the project directory at the specified path
  2. Copies selected drawing files into the project folder
  3. Creates the .atpx project file
  4. Creates the project database (.mdf file)
  5. Imports selected templates and devices from the master database
  6. Registers all drawings in the project database
  7. Opens the new project and displays it in the Project Tree palette

Validation

  • The project name is checked for invalid file path characters
  • The project path must not contain conflicting files
  • At least one template or device must be selected
  • Drawing files are copied into the project directory (if they're located elsewhere)

Tips

  • Keep your project folder in a consistent location for easy access
  • Import only the templates and devices you need — you can add more later with ATUPDATE_PROJECT
  • Project properties can be edited later with ATEDIT_PROJECT_PROPERTIES

Related Commands


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