Open a RockWorks16 Project Folder

Project Folder | Open Existing Project

Each project you work on in RockWorks must have its own folder, called a Project Folder, on your computer. The Project Folder is where the following items are stored:

• The borehole database (.SQLite) of the same name as the folder, for storage of borehole data and miscellaneous project data
• Your RockWorks datasheet files (.RwDat)
• Graphic files, grid and solid models, and other accessory files for the project

! Because of the changes we've made to the database since that version, RockWorks16 projects need to be updated to the new format. To preserve your original data, the updated project will be copied into a new folder.

! Any RockWorks16 datasheet (.rwDat), grid (.rwGrd), solid model (.rwMod), 2D graphic (.rw2D), 3D graphic (.rw3D) and ReportWorks (.rwRpt) files are fully usable between versions.

! See the Troubleshooting topic for errors and warnings that you may see.

! If you are working with SQL Server databases, the steps are different because the database is not local. Please see Opening a RockWorks16 Project Folder - SQLServer.

Step-by-Step Summary
Important Notes

Step-by-Step Summary

Follow these steps to open a RockWorks16 borehole project into RockWorks20x:

1. Click on the Project Folder | Open Existing Project menu option.

   

2. Use the Browse button to browse for the folder in which the RockWorks16 project is stored and click OK.
   ! You need to select the name of the FOLDER; the program is not asking you to select the name of any particular file.
   ! Don't select the "System" folder inside your project folder.
   
3. The program will display a window that reads:

   =====================================================
   This project appears to be a RockWorks16 project.
   "full project path"

   To upgrade a RockWorks15/16 project to the RockWorks20x format, a new project folder
   and database will be created and your RockWorks15/16 project data copied into it.

   =====================================================
   Do you wish to proceed?
   =====================================================

4. Click No to cancel this process and return to the previous project folder.
   Click Yes to continue with the process of opening and updating a RockWorks16 project folder.

   If you select Yes, you'll be presented with a series of screens where you will define the location of the new project folder, the coordinate system and units for the existing project, and the output coordinates for the new project.

5. Folder tab: Use this tab to define the folder for the new, RockWorks20x-version of your RockWorks16 project.
   • New Project Folder: The default name that will be displayed here is the name of your RockWorks16 project (such as "Airport"), now in the RockWorks Data folder.

   • 

     If this is not acceptable, you can use the button to browse for a different location for this new project folder.
     ! Do not save the RockWorks20x project in the RockWorks16 project folder.

   • Database Engine:
     • Use Default Database Engine: Choose this option to use the default database engine (SQLite).
     • Customize the Database Engine (Advanced): Select this option to display advanced settings that allow you to customize the database to be used. (More info)
     • 
       
   • New Project Settings:
     • Create New Project with Data or Settings from an Existing Project: This should be the default setting. This will enable RockWorks to bring in data from the existing project.
       
     • 
       
   • Click the Next button, at the bottom of the window, to proceed to the next tab.
   • 
     
6. Project Template
   • Base the New Project on the Following Project: The default displayed here will be the name of the RockWorks16 project you're opening. This should remain selected.
   • 
     
   • Use the database structure, types tables and borehole data: This should be the default selection, so that all data from the RockWorks16 project will be brought into the new RockWorks20x project. This option should remain selected.
   • 
     
   • Copy Project Menu Settings: This should be checked by default so that the menu settings (such as gridding methods, contour line styles, etc.) will be brought into the new project. Leave this checked.
   • 
     
   • Copy Project Support Tables: This should be checked by default so that the "Misc Support Tables" will be brought into the new project. Leave this checked.
   • 
     
   • Click the Next button at the bottom of the window to proceed to the next tab.
   • 
     
7. Project Coordinates - You won't be able to change the settings on this tab at this time, since your RockWorks16 project already has coordinate and unit information saved in the database. After the update process is complete, you can change the coordinate labels or reproject the coordinate values as necessary.
   
8. When you have made all of your selections, click the Finish button to proceed.
   

The existing RockWorks16 project will be copied into the new folder and loaded into the Borehole Manager. You'll see the boreholes in that project now listed in the Name pane, and their data loaded into the data tables.

Important notes:

• Models, Graphics, etc.: Note that none of the accessory files in your RockWorks16 project folder will be copied into the new project folder.
  • File Formats: The model and graphic file formats, and their file name extensions, have not changed between RockWorks16 and RockWorks20x. RockWorks20x can read RockWorks16 files with no conversions. See RockWorks File Types for details.
  • Manually Copy: If you want to copy your grid models (.rwGrd files), solid models (.rwMod files), 2D graphics (.rw2D files), 3D graphics (.rw3D files), and Reportworks graphics (.rwRpt files) into the new project folder, you can do so using Windows Explorer
  • 
    

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