Q. What is an AutoPIPE APC file, how is it created, & where is it saved too?

Questions and answer:

1. What is an AutoPIPE APC file?

An APC file contains most of the files used by AutoPIPE to recreate the model and to run an Static / Dynamic analysis. This is a great way for companies to send files between one another, archive their models or for users to store a state of a model as a revision history. 

This feature is available in AutoPIPE V8i 09.05.xx and higher

2. How is it created?

The user must use the Save Archive APC command.

Depending on your version of AutoPIPE this command can be located in different menus. Suggest to use AutoPIPE help search feature for "APC" to find the correct command location. 

Note: before creating the APC file create a complete model input listing and complete model output report.

Example:

Using AutoPIPE CONNECT 10.01.00.08 or higher:

a. Select File> Save As> Archive

b. Provide a name for the file, press OK to continue

c. Enable features for APC file on the following Dialog, press OK to continue. 

d. the APC file is now in the location specified in first step above. 

3. Where is it saved too? 

Typically the file is saved to the same folder as the current opened model. However, this can be customized by the user during the Save-as Archive (APC) operation above.

4. The archive APC file is too big to email, what can be done?

If the APC file is too large, the file size can be significantly reduced by recreating another APC file and disable the Results check-box.

Again, if the APC file is still to large, again, the file size can be significantly reduced by recreating 3rd APC file, however this time disable both Results & Reports check-boxes as shown below: