I have been having serious problems with a number of projects in D5. I use ArchiCAD 22 for modelling. Everything is ok when starting a new project, i start D5, it opens the program, loads my source file, i then save the D5 file and work on my project. The problem arises when i close D5. When i go to reopen my project to make amendments or continue working the ArchiCAD source file has disappeared. When i reload or sync the source file all the materials have reset to the default from the ArchiCAD file which means i have to reapply everything! I have been having this problem now for about 2 months and am constantly rebuilding and redoing projects. The tech support have not helped in any way that is useful other than to ask if i use cloud storage which i don’t. I use 2 pc’s linked by LAN, one is my server with project files stored and the other is my working machine with my software on it which i work from, saving back to the “server”. Ironically i have one project which this doesn’t seem to happen with but at least three others all have this same issue and there is no common denominator that i can find which makes sense. I have tried opening the file straight from D5, i have tried starting the project again using the tools within ArchiCAD and i get the same result, model missing, textures and materials gone!!! Does anyone have any useful knowledge as i am growing incredibly frustrated, it’s costing me time and money and my clients are getting frustrated too with the delays this is causing. As it stands it looks like my only option is to quit using D5 and find another more stable software.
Hi Lance Borgioli.
What you told me, it doesn’t happen to me, is from the beginning from the D5 1.3 version, perhaps it is the system and the archiving method that is fundamental for the synchronization of the graphics program you use with that of the renders. Reading you have a server, which you use for archiving, it’s this step that makes it difficult to memorize everything you do on the program.
I use a laptop with programs inserted in ‘C’, and archiving in ‘F’, so I carry out the work in the work folder, created by me in ‘F’ with other customer folders where I save them all in archicad and D5, that is, I create the customer folder, then the file with the customer’s name, with European characters, if they are strange letters, I have strange symbols you can have problems, then in the same folder where the archicad file is, I make a folder for the D5 file with the customer’s name. When I finish the work with the graphics program, I save it with its name, then I create the D5 file in the appropriate folder I save it with the same name as the archicad file, this is very important 'for synchronization it must never be changed the name of the file, if you work on it after a week you have to save it with the same name and then synchronize it with D5 the file must already be open, so it passes phase ‘1’ in synchronization and phase ‘2’ when loading in D5.
But when it happens that you have saved the file in archicad with another name, you must always open the D5 of the old file first, save it first, then synchronize it, it will ask you in phase ‘2’ in D5 if you want to merge the project, in this case you must do this if you want to see the changes made. Then done this you have to save it with the name of the file you uploaded. Sure it will eat up memory doing more files both in D5 and Archicad, but that’s another problem.
I hope I have helped you understand how to proceed in archiving, it is in making everything work so as not to lose Files and textures and objects.
Hi mate, Dose it work locally? We recently found that other users usually meet this problem( link loss, work loss) with the server or cloud, so I want to ask whether it happens locally.
As riccardofortelli said, the strange letters sometimes may also cause that, if you find it’s ok after changing the name, please tell us. it may be a bug.
Also, Here is the Newest version of the ARCHICAD converter, you can try that one.
If the problem still happens, please send the model and scenes to us for troubleshooting, this time we will not delay too long, sorry again for the inconvenience.
support@d5techs.com
I have the same problem. I am using sketchup and I am working saving the files on my cloud (using dropbox). When I use the first computer there is no problem. However when I move to other computers the main file link is missing.
Any solution for this?
Hello, @ilde
Sorry for the issue.
Network path storage is somewhat unstable, so we usually recommend that users store all D5 files locally. Just for confirmation, have you ever changed the file name or storage path on the cloud of the main file? Can you also copy the whole network path of the main file? We may optimise the network path reading issue in subsequent releases.
How did you import your SU file for the first time, through the sync plugin or direct import? After the file link is lost, does it still appear in the object list?
I’m experiencing the same problem, and it’s becoming a serious workflow issue.
Even though all files are stored locally, every time I reopen my D5 scene, the materials revert to the default Archicad textures instead of keeping my edited D5 materials.
This really hinders progress, especially when working on larger, complex projects that require parallel updates between Archicad and D5 LiveSync.
Is there any stable fix or recommended workflow for preserving D5 materials without breaking LiveSync functionality?
Would appreciate any insights – thanks!
Hi @Langliid apologies for the inconvenience. Could you please confirm the version of your Archicad plugin? Please install the latest version of the livesync plugin from the link below and see if the issue persists. Thank you
Nvm, still reset all materials back to Archicad materials after hitting the “Start D5” button on the toolbar in AC28. 
Hi @Langliid Sorry to hear you’re still experiencing this issue. When you start D5 using the plugin, do you receive a prompt asking to “Sync Local Project” or “New Project”? Normally, after saving both the D5 and Archicad files, D5 should automatically open the previously synced project without showing any prompt.
Does this issue occur with other Archicad files, or only with this specific one? Also, is the project folder being synced with a cloud service like OneDrive?
Lastly, could you confirm whether you were using LiveSync or if you exported a .d5a file from Archicad and then loaded it manually into D5?
Hi again, thanks for the follow-up.
To clarify:
- I do not get the “Sync Local Project” prompt when reopening D5 via the Archicad plugin – it just opens directly.
- I always save both the Archicad
.plnfile and the D5 scene before closing. - The project is saved locally, but it is located inside a Dropbox-synced folder. All custom textures and assets are also stored locally – not cloud-streamed or externally referenced.
I’m working exclusively through LiveSync, not using .d5a export/import. The problem is that D5 seems to reload default Archicad materials each time I reopen the project, even though the file itself was saved with D5-edited materials.
Could the use of a Dropbox folder cause D5 to lose track of the previous sync state or break the material link integrity? And is there any manual workaround to “lock” materials in D5 while still using LiveSync?
Thanks again – really appreciate the support!
Hi @Langliid We have not yet optimized the workflow for files stored in cloud drives or network paths. It is likely that the issue is related to files saved in Dropbox.
Could you please save these files locally, perhaps on your desktop, and check if the issue persists? Thank you.
Hi, sorry for the late response.
I’ve followed all the suggested steps to avoid material resets when using LiveSync from Archicad to D5, including:
- Saving both my
.plnand.d5afiles locally (not on Dropbox) - Opening the correct
.d5afile first in D5 before starting LiveSync - Making sure the “Inherit materials” box is checked
- Attempting both “Create new link model” and “Replace existing link” options
- Renaming and removing any old Dropbox-based files
Still, every time I hit “Start LiveSync” in Archicad, D5 loads in the updated model but all materials are replaced with Archicad defaults. It seems D5 does not properly reconnect to the original model or material assignments, even when paths are consistent and local.
Is there a way to fully rebind the .pln to the existing .d5a model without material loss?
I get this promt:
But tried multiple times with different options. This promt window did not show up before i saved the .pln on my desktop.
Any guidance or workaround would be greatly appreciated – this is severely slowing down my workflow.
Thanks in advance,
Langliid
Hi @Langliid
I apologize for the inconvenience. As for your workflow, I think working on existing D5 Projects linked to 3d Model (AC, etc.), it would be best to open your D5 File first, then proceed to activate the live-sync.
- You can also try to click on the BAP3100-Torbjorn 0204.pln then proceed to click “Replace” (This window prompt usually appears when the 3d Model file was opened first, then live-sync was activated)
我們團隊遇到此問題很久了!！
都各自擁有一組不同的帳號，並在各自的電腦運作
使用步驟
Sketch up建模儲存雲端硬碟-D5同模型儲存地方，只要同事需修改並在自己的電腦開啟sketch up同步模型下載D5同步後就會出現模型重疊，重複的舊模型沒有任何連動，也無法更改！！
只能同步新模型，且重上材質，這問題確實困惱我們很久!!!
Hi @tien1259231
I apologize for the inconvenience. You’ve mentioned that you have stored these files in Cloud Storage. For now, we don’t recommend placing them in cloud storage while you and your colleague are editing or working on them.
- You may download it first locally, then proceed to work with the file while it is placed in a local path.
Hi @Clov,
Thanks for the follow-up. I’ve carefully tested the workflow you described:
- I open the D5 file first (the one with correct materials)
- Then I open the Archicad
.plnfile - I click “Start LiveSync” from Archicad
- I get the expected prompt to “Replace” the model
- I select the correct model and ensure that “Material” is checked
However, no matter how I proceed, D5 still replaces all the materials with Archicad’s defaults as soon as the sync happens. This includes cases where:
- The
.plnand.d5aare stored locally (not in Dropbox) - The file names match
- I select “Replace and link” carefully
I also tried completely removing the Dropbox version and rebuilding the sync from scratch – same result. It seems like D5 creates a new model instance under the hood and fails to inherit the previous material data, even when explicitly told to do so.
Is there any way to force D5 to maintain the material assignments from the open .d5a file when LiveSync is re-established with the .pln?
Would really appreciate more insight here – this issue is blocking progress on my project.
Thanks again,
Langliid
Hi @Langliid
Your workflow is correct. Relinking shouldn’t revert the model to its default material unless the newly linked model is entirely different from the original.
-
May I know which Live-sync version you are currently using? I am using 1.1.0.0010, which is currently the latest version. If you’re unsure which version, you can download it again from our official website (Select Live-sync not Sync) - D5 Render for Archicad Real-Time Rendering Workflow
-
If it is the same, does the issue persist even after saving, closing, and reopening both the D5 file and the newly linked model, and then relinking again when prompted?
I can’t seem to replicate the issue that you are experiencing. I tried the exact process as you have described and even opening the backup archiCAD file retains the material information after activating the live-sync.
I would like to test your file on my end using the same process.
-
Can you send us your Archicad and D5 File together? You may send it to support@d5techs.com and have it titled ‘Clov-Forum Source file missing and textures and material reset’
-
It would also be best to collect your log file, just in case it might be useful - How to use Support Tool? | User Manual
Hi @Clov
Thanks for the detailed follow-up – I really appreciate the help.
After doing more testing, I believe I’ve identified what might be causing the material reset issue in my case:
It seems to be related to objects imported via ModelPort in Archicad.
Even though I follow the workflow correctly (opening the D5 project first, linking the correct .pln file, ensuring “inherit material” is selected), all objects brought in through ModelPort revert to default Archicad materials upon relink – while native Archicad/GDL elements retain their materials as expected.
This happens:
- Even when everything is saved locally
- Even after proper relinking
- Even with latest LiveSync version (1.1.0.0010)
I haven’t had time to test this 100%, but it seems that ModelPort objects lose their material bindings in D5, unless perhaps they’re saved as pure GDL-objects (and not as hybrid ModelPort/GDL components). Could this be a known limitation or compatibility issue?
Would you happen to know:
- If there is a known issue with ModelPort-imported elements and LiveSync?
- If the workaround is to manually convert or re-save as GDL before using LiveSync?
Let me know if I should still send my file in for verification. I can do that if needed, but figured I’d share this lead first. I’ve been using modelport to have more control over the objects imported, but as this is also a third party plugin, it makes sense that we run into some problems with other software. 
Thanks again,
Langliid
Hi @Langliid
We’ve tested the Add-on that you have mentioned. We have discovered the following:
- First Live Sync Process
- Open AC - Import the fbx file via ModelPort - Activate D5 Livesync - Save AC and D5 File - Close both files. After closing both files, once you reopen it and activate the livesync, the model brought via ModelPort will lose the D5 Material.
- Second Live Sync Process
- Basically, you resync it again using the same process, open the AC file and activate the Livesync plug-in with the D5 file opened already. Doing the second process will not revert the material of the 3d Model (from ModelPort) to its default appearance even if they are closed or reopened.
Takeaway: Please note that this add-on is new to us. If it is inevitable to use the ModelPort addon, we recommend running the process twice as previously mentioned. However, we cannot guarantee its stability, importing these models using the standard ArchiCAD method is currently the most reliable approach.