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Vabi Elements installs several folders and files:

Component Config? Windows Vista/7/8/10
Program (folder) Yes, through setup 
x64 %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Vabi\Elements\
Plugins (folder) 
...\Plugins\
General information (folder) Yes 
%ProgramData%\Vabi\Elements\
License (file) 
%AppData%\Local\Vabi\Elements\modules.lic
Central library (file) Yes 
...\Data\VABILIBRARY.VL
Climate files (folder) Yes 
...\Data\Climate files\
Formatting reports (folder) Yes
Examples (files) 
%ProgramData%\Vabi\Elements\Examples\nl
Open projects (folder) 
Yes
 
%APPDATA%\Vabi\Elements\OpenProjects\
Preferences 
No
 
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Vabi_Software_b.v\
Calculation output 
No
 
%APPDATA%\Vabi\Elements\OpenProjects\#### 
{yyyymmdduummssxxx}\

 

Component Config? Windows XP
Program (folder) Yes, through setup 
x86 %ProgramFiles%\Vabi\Elements\
Plugins (folder) 
...\Plugins\
General information (folder) Yes 
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Vabi\Elements\
License (file) 
...\modules.lic
Central library (file) Yes 
...\Data\VABILIBRARY.VL
Climate files (folder) Yes 
...\Data\Climate files\
Formatting reports (folder) Yes 
...\Data\Reports\
Examples 
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Vabi\
Elements\Examples\nl
Open projects (folder) Yes 
%APPDATA%\Vabi\Elements\OpenProjects\
Preferences No 
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Vabi_Software_b.v\
Calculation output 
No
 
%APPDATA%\Vabi\Elements\OpenProjects\####
{yyyymmdduummssxxx}
Config: If yes, then this data can be configured by modifying the variables in %ProgramFiles%\Vabi\Elements\Elements.exe.config.

#### are four letters, module dependent; for example, vbsc means “Vabi Building Simulation Calculation”

Back-up central library

During an update, the central library will not be lost. The central library will be updated to the new version of Vabi Elements. Additionally, a backup of the old version will be created.

If you have created your own customized central library that contains valuable information, it is always wise to regularly back up this library (VABILIBRARY-en.VL). This can be done manually. You can find the central library in the following directory:

Folder (copy to Windows Explorer, folders may be hidden):

  • Windows Vista/7/8/10 %allusersprofile%\Vabi\Elements\Data\VABILIBRARY-en.VL

Climate files

It is always possible to add additional climate files for different geographical locations and calendar data.

The following climate files are included by default:

  • De Bilt 1964-1965
  • Dry cold climate (used for testing building simulations)
  • NEN5060 reference years (energie, TO1 zeer streng, TO2 streng, TO5 gematigd)

You can import your own climate files from around the world using the climate wizard. See Import climate files for more details.

Project file

A Vabi project file, also known as a VP file, can be opened from within Vabi Elements and from Windows Explorer. Only one VP file can be opened at a time.

Project files can have multiple extensions due to the autosave and backup functionality.

Extension Description
vp Vabi Project; Default project file
vbk0001 Autosave or backup file. The contents are identical to a VP file and can be changed to a VP file. The name includes a four-digit sequence.
vp_0.9.32.0.backup Backup of an old project upgraded to a new software version. The name includes the original version number.
VL Vabi Library; de central library
KLN Climate file. Note that in Vabi Elements, an XML file is also required.

When opening a Vabi Project file created in an older version of Vabi Elements, the current Vabi Elements software creates a backup of the old file during the upgrade process. This backup appears in the directory of the Vabi Project file with an extension such as vp.upgrade_backup or vp_0.9.##.#.backup, where the hashes describe the original version number.

Opening an old project with a new version of Vabi Elements is not a problem. Conversely, opening a new project with an old version of Vabi Elements is not possible. We recommend updating Vabi Elements in such cases.
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