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Open a whole project folder

Point BimCraft at a project folder to see every model, its backups and links at once, and let the Start here box suggest which file to work on.

Written for BimCraft 0.3. The same help is inside the app: press F1.

What you'll do

Open a whole project folder, such as the one you were handed for a job, and let BimCraft sort it out: which models are there, which copies are backups, what links to what, which files are damaged, and which file you most likely want to open.

Only the few kilobytes each model card needs are read, so a folder on a network drive or a synced cloud folder is fine.

Steps

Chrome or Edge

  1. Click Open a folder on the left (or in the middle of the empty screen).
  2. Choose the project folder in the window that opens and click Select (or Upload or Open, depending on your system).
  3. Click View files when the browser asks "Let site view files?". This only lets the tab read the folder; nothing is uploaded.
  4. Wait while the status line counts: "Listing the folder: … files", then "Checking Revit files: … of …".

Firefox

  1. Click Open a folder on the left (or in the middle of the empty screen).
  2. Choose the project folder in the window that opens and confirm. Firefox may ask you to confirm that the page can read the folder's files; they still stay on your computer.
  3. Wait while the status line says "Reading the folder: … files", then "Checking Revit files: … of …".

Safari

  1. Click Open a folder on the left (or in the middle of the empty screen).
  2. Choose the project folder in the window that opens and click Upload. Despite the word, nothing leaves your Mac: the files are only handed to the tab.
  3. Wait while the status line says "Reading the folder: … files", then "Checking Revit files: … of …".

You can also drag the folder from Finder / File Explorer / your file manager onto the page. A dragged folder opens without any permission prompt in every browser.

What you should see

The folder report fills the middle:

  • The folder name, counts of models, CAD drawings, IFC models and files, and the total size.
  • Red or amber notes if any files are incomplete or any linked files are missing from the folder.
  • The Start here box: the file BimCraft suggests you open, with the reasons.
  • Models: one row per model, with its backups grouped under it.
  • Linked and referenced files, IFC models, CAD drawings and Set aside, when the folder has any.

On the left, the Folder panel sums it up; Problems says "None" when every copy is sound.

Use the Start here box

The box names one file and says why, for example:

  • "Newest saved work in this folder (Mar 3, 2025)."
  • "Consultant.rvt is linked into other models, so it is background, not the file to edit."
  • "Tower.rvt looks like the obvious choice, but it is damaged; its last good copy is from …"
  • "This is a central model: in Revit, open it with "Create New Local" and work in the local copy."
  1. Read the reasons.
  2. Click Open its card to read that file's card, or Show it in the list to find its row in Models.
  3. Check with whoever last worked on the project before you rely on it. The box says so too: it is a best guess from names, dates and links.

Open files from the report

  1. Click a model's name to open its card. The card checks each link against the folder.
  2. Click Back to and the folder name at the top of the card (or Back to the folder on the left) to return.
  3. Click any IFC file under IFC models to open it in 3D.
  4. Click any DWG or DXF under CAD drawings to open it in 2D. Its linked drawings and pictures are found in the folder automatically.

Reopen a folder later

Chrome or Edge

Folders you opened with Open a folder or by dragging are listed under Recent folders on the left. Click Reopen and the folder name to open it again without choosing it. After a browser restart, Chrome or Edge asks once more; choose "Allow on every visit" to stop it asking. The list is kept in this browser only, never sent anywhere. Click × to forget a folder.

Firefox or Safari

This browser cannot remember folders between visits. Choose the folder again with Open a folder, or drag it in.

Common mistakes

  • Picking a folder that is too big. Over 20,000 files: "This folder has more than 20,000 files. Pick a smaller folder, such as one project." Pick the project folder, not the whole drive.
  • Picking the parent of several projects. The Start here box then chooses across projects. Pick one project.
  • Revit's own folders look ignored. *_backup, *_log and Revit_temp folders are housekeeping and are listed under Set aside, not read.
  • Expecting a model to open in 3D from its card. A project file is a card only. Open its IFC export.
  • Phones and tablets. Many mobile browsers cannot choose folders at all. Use a computer.

See Check a folder for damaged copies, missing links and leftovers and Folder report: roles, statuses and links.