BPN File – What is .bpn file and how to open it?

BPN File Definition

A BPN file is an Archicad Project Backup File, created using GRAPHISOFT’s Archicad software for architectural design. It contains a backup of an Archicad project file (.PLN), which includes building plans, elevations, sections, and other architectural data. BPN files serve as a safeguard against data loss due to hardware failures, software crashes, or accidental deletion.

BPN File Features

BPN files are compressed and encrypted using proprietary algorithms by GRAPHISOFT, making them secure and compact. They can be manually created by users or automatically generated by Archicad upon project save. By providing an additional layer of data protection, BPN files enable users to recover their projects in case of file corruption or loss. They are typically stored in a separate location from the original PLN file for added safety. Users can access and restore BPN files by opening them in Archicad and choosing the “File” > “Open Project Backup” option.

Opening BPN Files with Archicad

BPN files, or Archicad Project Backup Files, are backup files created by the Archicad software, a popular architectural modeling and design application. To open a BPN file, you will need to have Archicad installed on your computer. Once you have Archicad installed, follow these steps to open a BPN file:

1. Launch Archicad.
2. Click on the “File” menu and select “Open.”
3. In the file browser, navigate to the location of the BPN file you want to open.
4. Select the BPN file and click on the “Open” button.

Alternative Methods for Opening BPN Files

If you do not have Archicad installed on your computer, there are a few alternative methods you can use to open BPN files:

• Use a text editor. BPN files are text files, so you can open them with any text editor, such as Notepad or TextEdit. However, you will not be able to view the file contents properly, as they are encoded in a proprietary format.
• Use a file converter. There are several file converters available online that can convert BPN files to other formats, such as DWG or DXF. Once the file has been converted, you can open it with the appropriate software.
• Contact the file creator. If you are unable to open the BPN file using any of the methods described above, you can try contacting the person who created the file. They may be able to provide you with a copy of the file in a different format.

BPN File Format

A BPN file is a project backup file created by Archicad, a building information modeling (BIM) software. BPN files contain a complete backup of an Archicad project, including all project data, such as models, drawings, views, and schedules. BPN files are typically created automatically by Archicad as backup copies of project files (.PLN files). However, users can also manually create BPN files as a way to safeguard their project data in case of file corruption or accidental deletion. BPN files can be opened and restored in Archicad using the “Open” or “Restore Project” commands.

Advantages of BPN Files

BPN files offer several advantages over PLN files. First, BPN files are significantly smaller in size than PLN files, which makes them easier to store and share. Second, BPN files are compressed, which helps to protect them from data corruption. Third, BPN files can be stored on a network or cloud storage service, which makes them accessible from any device with an internet connection. Finally, BPN files can be used to restore Archicad projects that have become damaged or corrupted.

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