Project files do not open automatically when double clicked?

Issue description

When you double click a project file (for example a .pln file) the operating system prompts you to choose an application and does not list Archicad as an option. The file only opens if you start the application first then use Open from within the program.

Solution

This is caused by missing or incorrect file associations in the operating system; project file types like .pln are not linked to the installed application. By setting the default app for these file types in Windows or macOS you can automatically open files in the desired application when double clicked.

Set default application in Windows

1. Close the Archicad if it is running.
2. Open File Explorer and locate any project file (for example a file with the .pln extension).
3. Right click the file and click Properties on the context menu.
4. On the General tab click Change next to Opens with.
5. In the list select the installed version of the application you want to use or scroll down and Choose an app on your PC.
6. Browse to the installation folder, by default this is similar to C:/Program Files/GRAPHISOFT/Archicad 29/Archicad.exe then click Open.
7. Confirm the change in the Properties dialog with OK so all files of this type open with this version when double clicked.

Tip: If Windows does not remember the association, open Settings > Apps > Default apps, search for the .pln extension and set the same application as the default there.

Set default application in macOS

1. Close the Archicad if it is running.
2. In Finder locate a project file (for example a file with the .pln extension).
3. Control click the file and select Get Info from the context menu.
4. In the Get Info window find the Open with section.
5. From the drop down list choose your preferred version of the application or click Other to browse.
6. In the file chooser navigate to the application bundle, typically under /Applications/Graphisoft/Archicad 29/Archicad 29.app, select it and enable Always Open With then click Add.
7. Back in the Get Info window click Change All to apply this setting to all files of this type and confirm in the dialog that appears.

After this change double clicking any .pln file will automatically launch the selected version of the application.