Autodesk Forma Best Practice Part 9 – Archiving

Issue:
When a project concludes, teams often need to archive the project files to a local server. However, downloading files from the Autodesk Forma project through the Data Management web portal does not preserve all file history, which remains accessible only within the Forma server.

Solution:
To ensure successful archiving of project files, follow these steps:

1.     Log in to Autodesk Forma Data Management:

• Access your project via the ACC Docs web portal.

2.     Download Source Files:

• Click the three vertical dots next to the project file or folder to open the submenu.

• Select "Download source files." This will zip the entire project's files and folders into a single ZIP file.

3.     Access the Hub Admin Module:

• Click on "Hub Admin" in the main menu.
• Select the project you want to archive from the list in the left-hand panel.

4.     Archive the Project:

• Locate the project to be archived from the list.
• Click the three vertical dots next to the project name to open the submenu.
• Select "Archive Project" to initiate the archiving process.

(BUILD Help | Create and Manage Projects | Autodesk)

Important Notes: 

• To unarchive a project, an Account Admin can simply go to the archived projects list and click on the "Restore Project" option.
• Archiving a project allows you to preserve the final state of all files and folders, but some historical data may only be accessible through the Forma platform.
• It’s a best practice to maintain a local backup of essential project files, even after archiving.

Technical Insights:

• Historical Data Accessibility:
  • While the archived ZIP file contains all the current files and folders, it does not include the detailed file history (e.g., previous versions, user comments). To access these, you must use the ACC platform.
  • Mitigation Strategy: Regularly export detailed file logs and version histories from Forma before archiving.
• Benefits of Forma Project Archiving:
  • Centralized Storage: All project files are stored in one accessible location.
  • Controlled Access: Only authorized users can unarchive and access the project files.
• Potential Drawbacks:
  • Limited Offline Access: Without a local backup, you might need internet access to retrieve historical data.
  • Dependency on Forma: If Forma services are disrupted, accessing archived data might be delayed.

About the Author

Sr Technical Support Specialist<br><br> Skilled in AutoCAD, Mixed-use, Renovation, Revit, and Sustainable Design. Strong arts and design professional with a BA in Urban design focused in Architecture from University of Washington.

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