Backing up your data

We recommend that you protect your data and models by making daily backups of your databases. This involves copying the shared database, and all locally stored parts, models and drawings to a storage device, or using backup software. Then, if data is damaged, a recent copy can be retrieved.

PowerShape automatically checks for damage to models using the File Doctor during Save and Save As processes (see this page). You can protect your work further by using the backup facilities available in PowerShape:

Backup when updating a model

When you create a new version of a model, a backup model called Modelname_vN.psmodel_backup is created by default, where N is the model version number of the model before it was updated. The backup is stored in the Temp folder, but you can set an alternative location for the backup folder using the update_backup_path setting in the powershape.con file.

You can disable this backup facility using one of the following:

• In the powershape.con file, use the setting: update_backup
• In the login macro, use: File OnUpdate Backup Off

The backup model does not appear in the shareddb, and can be deleted when no longer required.

Backup when opening a model

When a model is opened, PowerShape can automatically create a backup model called Modelname_safe.psmodel. The backup model is stored in the Temp folder.

To enable this backup facility, use one of the following methods:

• In the powershape.con file, use the setting: open_backup
• In the login macro, use: File OnOpen Backup On

To revert to the backup model:

1. Close the current model in PowerShape.
2. Select the model in Windows explorer and delete it.
3. Copy the safe model from the temp folder into the same folder as the updated model.
4. Rename the backup model to the name of the model deleted.
5. Open the model in PowerShape.

Manually using the File Doctor

If File Doctor is run in Advanced Mode using the Check & Fix option, and errors are found in the model, the following three files can be automatically created:

• Modelname_datetime.psmodel — the model as it was the last time it was opened/saved
• Modelname_datetime.mac — a macro of the commands run since the last time the model was opened/saved
• Modelname_datetime.log — the File Doctor log

These files are stored in the Temp folder. All three files should be sent to your local Support Department for analysis. You can restore a copy of your model that pre-dates the File Doctor fixes from the Modelname_datetime.psmodel file. The fixed file is resaved as modelname.psmodel.

To enable this backup facility, use one of the following methods:

• In the powershape.con file, use the setting: manual_filedoctor_backup
• In the login macro, use: File OnFileDoctor Backup On