Start a new project
In Cadivari 0.1.4 and later, choose File → New project or press Ctrl+N. If the current project has unsaved changes, choose Save and create new, Discard and create new, or Cancel. Cancelling the save dialog or encountering a save error keeps the current project open.
The new project starts with an empty drawing, 3D model and CAM setup. The old file path and undo/redo history are cleared, so saving the new project asks for a new destination. Your saved files and workspace preferences are retained.
Edit commands
The Edit menu provides Undo (Ctrl+Z), Redo (Ctrl+Y), and Delete selection (Delete). Commands are disabled when they do not apply. Undo and Redo affect the current CAD/CAM project; the standalone guitar designers manage their own editing sessions.
Recommended round-trip test
- Name the project in File, then create a mirror-linked outside profile, a circular opening, and both CAM operations.
- Set stock, operation order, depths, tabs, and a manual start point. Choose File → Save As….
- Change one dimension. The title should show an amber unsaved dot and Unsaved changes.
- Press Ctrl+S. In the installed app, the existing file should update without reopening the dialog.
- Open the saved file with Ctrl+O. Confirm geometry, reference-image calibration, CAM settings, order, tabs, start points, 3D animation, and G-code preview are restored.
- Try a renamed JSON file or damaged project. Cadivari should report the problem while leaving the current document untouched.
01 · FILE WORKFLOW
Explicit save and open commands
The header Save button and Ctrl+S update the current native project after its first save. File → Save As… or Ctrl+Shift+S chooses a new destination. The folder button, File → Open project…, and Ctrl+O all open an existing project.
The project title shows a small amber dot whenever its document revision or project name differs from the last successful save. Opening another file or closing the window warns before discarding unsaved changes.
02 · COMPLETE DOCUMENT
The source design stays editable
- Millimetre CAD entities and exact dimensions
- Spline control points and associative mirror-guide links
- Embedded reference images, scale, position, visibility, and opacity
- Stock dimensions, Auto/Manual sizing, fit margin, equal/free margin constraint, selected stock-anchor XY zero, stock-top Z0, and Safe Z
- Machine profile, cutter library, and the default cutter for new operations
- Associative CAM path sources, numbered operation order, and each operation's On/Off state
- Depths, cutting values, compensation, tabs, and start positions
Generated display samples, 3D meshes, animation state, and modal dialogs are rebuilt from the stored source document rather than saved as duplicate geometry.
03 · GUARDED LOAD
A file is checked before it can replace the project
The project envelope records a dedicated file-format version, save time, project name, and the current Cadivari document. Loading checks the extension, 100 MiB size ceiling, JSON header, file version, document version, permanent millimetre units, finite geometry, unique identifiers, mirror references, tools, CAM sources, and operation relationships.
A malformed, foreign, oversized, or incompatible file produces a clear error. The open document and its undo history remain untouched.
04 · OFFLINE STORAGE
Native dialogs in the app and file transfers on localhost
The installed Tauri application uses Windows Open and Save dialogs and remembers the current absolute project path for later saves. The localhost browser preview downloads a .cadiv file and reopens it through the browser file chooser. Neither workflow requires an account, cloud service, or network connection.
CURRENT SCOPE
Version 1 boundaries
- Only project-file version 1 and document version 14 are accepted
- Older/future migrations are not implemented yet
- Browser preview Save downloads a file; it cannot silently overwrite a prior download
- Automatic recovery snapshots and timed autosave are not implemented yet
- Project files may be large because reference images remain embedded for portability
Model CAM in 0.3.0
Projects save the machining body, setup, selected faces and operation settings. Older projects retain Whole body targets when opened in 0.3.0. Changed or missing machining faces require reselection; model or setup changes require regeneration before output. New CAM definitions may not be understood by older Cadivari versions, so keep a separate project copy when moving between versions.