Do you want to save your own custom window constructions, doors, or textures directly in the program directory using older versions of cadvilla? By default, Windows restricts read and write permissions in the “Program Files” folder via the User Account Control (UAC). In this quick guide, we will show you how to manually expand the access rights for the cadvilla installation directory. This ensures that you gain full access to important subfolders like AEC, Objects, or Textures, allowing you to easily integrate your individual components into the software.

Important note in advance: The following changes only apply to older versions of cadvilla (up to version 10). From version 11 onwards, saving and modifying files in the individual cadvilla directories is possible without any issues and does not require these manual adjustments.

1. Overview of important subdirectories

During a standard installation, the main directory of cadvilla is usually located in a subdirectory of the Windows Program Files folder. Here is an example for cadvilla professional plus 8:

• 64-Bit Windows Installation: C:\Program Files\cadvilla professional plus 8\
• 32-Bit Windows Installation: C:\Program Files (x86)\cadvilla professional plus 8\

Within this main directory, there are various subfolders for which you may need extended permissions:

• AEC: Contains, among others, the folders:
  • Doors
  • Profiles (Profiles for sweep solids)
  • RoofWindows
  • Solar (Solar panels)
  • Solids (3D constructions)
  • WindowConstructions
  • Additionally, there are hidden folders here such as Bars (Muntin patterns) and Layouts (Layer structures for walls).
• Graphics2D: Contains all 2D graphic symbols, such as title blocks or symbols for electrical installations.
• Materials: Contains all materials.
• Objects: Contains all 3D objects.
• Projects: Contains all demo projects.
• Textures: Contains all textures.

Note: If, for example, you design your own window constructions or doors and want them to be visible in the catalog selection, they must be saved in the folders AEC\WindowConstructions or AEC\Doors. Furthermore, when changing texture sizes, a hidden file (images.dat) is saved in the Textures folder. For all these processes, you need Full control over the respective subdirectories.

2. Set full control for a folder (Example: Windows 10)

In the following example, we will show you step by step how to set up full control for the AEC folder under Windows 10.

• Open the Windows File Explorer and navigate to the cadvilla program directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\cadvilla professional plus 8\).
• Right-click on the AEC directory and select Properties from the context menu.
• In the window that opens, switch to the Security tab.
• From the list, select the user account you are currently logged into Windows with (e.g., “LAPTOP-15”), and click on the Edit button.

• A new window will open. Select your username here again from the list.
• In the lower section, check the box in the Allow column next to Full control.
• Save the new settings by clicking on Apply and then on OK.
• Close the underlying Properties window by clicking on OK as well.

You now have the necessary rights to save your own custom components directly from cadvilla into the designated folders.

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If you are experiencing issues with saving project files on external USB drives or NAS drives, please refer to our article on setting write permissions on NAS drives.