.BCA File

The .bca file extension is associated with Allplan, a professional architectural and engineering software. It is used as a backup catalog file format that stores important data related to project backups. In this article, we will explore the format of .bca files, how to use them, how to open them, and how to convert them to other formats.

Format of .bca Files

A .bca file is essentially a database file that contains information about the backed-up projects in Allplan. It stores details such as project names, creation dates, and the location of the backup files. The file format is proprietary to Allplan and is not meant to be directly manipulated by users. Instead, it serves as a reference for Allplan to manage and restore backups effectively.

Using .bca Files

To effectively use .bca files, you need to have Allplan software installed on your computer. Allplan provides comprehensive tools for architects and engineers to design, model, and manage construction projects. The .bca file serves as a catalog that helps you organize and retrieve backups of your projects.

By utilizing the Allplan backup functionality, you can create regular backups of your projects and save them with the .bca extension. These backups ensure that you have a copy of your project at a specific point in time, which can be useful for recovery in case of data loss or project corruption.

Opening .bca Files

To open a .bca file, you must follow these steps:

• Launch the Allplan software on your computer.
• Go to the "File" menu and choose "Restore Backup" or a similar option.
• In the file dialog that appears, locate and select the .bca file you want to open.
• Click the "Open" button, and Allplan will access the backup catalog and display the available projects.
• Select the desired project from the list, and Allplan will restore it to your working environment.

Converting .bca Files

The .bca file extension is specific to Allplan and is not directly convertible to other file formats. However, if you need to extract data or transfer projects to other software, you can export the Allplan project files separately. Allplan provides options to export project data in formats like DWG, DXF, IFC, and more, which are widely supported by other design and modeling applications.

To export an Allplan project:

• Open the Allplan software and load the desired project from the .bca file as explained earlier.
• Go to the "File" menu and choose the "Export" option.
• Select the file format you want to export to, such as DWG or DXF.
• Choose the export settings and specify the target location to save the exported file.
• Click the "Export" or "Save" button to convert and save the project in the desired format.

By following these steps, you can convert an Allplan project from a .bca file to a different format for compatibility with other software or sharing with colleagues.