Getting started
How do I import my Trikker projects into PlanElec?
Import Trikker files (.trik) into PlanElec Pro one at a time or as an archive: entry point, choosing files or a ZIP, preview, destination, progress with e-mail, report. Plus limits, what is and is not carried over, and Sketch and floor plan import as alternatives.
AuthorStephan BehmA Trikker project is a .trik file. You import it into PlanElec Pro with the entry "Import Trikker projects": a single file just like several files, a folder or a ZIP archive with up to 500 files. Every file becomes its own project, and the original stays attached to the project as a file. The single-line diagram, boards, circuits and devices come along; the situation plan stays behind. You need a signed-in PlanElec account; a Pro subscription is not required, "Try Pro" (the free plan) is enough. Without an account, you open a single file in PlanElec Sketch.
Which route fits my data?
| You have … | Your route | Account |
|---|---|---|
an archive of many .trik files, a folder or a ZIP | Import Trikker projects in PlanElec Pro (main route, see below) | PlanElec account |
a single .trik file | the same route: Import Trikker projects; with exactly one project, the report offers Open project | PlanElec account |
a single .trik file and no account | PlanElec Sketch: open the file, check the diagram, then Take it to Pro if you want to | none for Sketch |
| a floor plan as PDF, scan, image or DXF | import it or have it recognised, see Import and calibrate a floor plan and Recognise a floor plan with AI | PlanElec account |
Our recommendation: import .trik files with Import Trikker projects. It is the one import route in Pro; it creates projects in your account and keeps the original. It takes the situation plan of the .trik file into the floor plan: floors, walls, rooms, doors, windows, garage doors, stairs and placed devices.
What do you need for the import?
- A signed-in PlanElec account. The import is open to every signed-in account, including the free plan "Try Pro".
- Your
.trikfiles on the computer you are working on. Trikker's automatic backups (.trikback) are not project files; leave them out. - A browser. It reads your selection, unpacks a ZIP and uploads each file. Everything after that runs on the server.
Which limits apply?
| Limit | Value |
|---|---|
| Files per run | up to 500 .trik files |
| ZIP archive | up to 200 MB |
One unpacked .trik file | up to 5 MB |
| All unpacked files together | up to 500 MB |
| Runs at the same time | one run per account; a second one starts only after the first is completed or cancelled |
Hidden files and folders such as __MACOSX, and a ZIP inside a ZIP, are skipped. If your archive is larger, split it and import in several runs. Duplicates are recognised, so an overlap does no harm.
How does the import work step by step?
- Open the import. You find Import Trikker projects in three places: in the logo menu of a project (with the badge New), in the project list next to New project, and in the command palette. All of them open the same page.
- Choose your files. Drop files, a folder or a ZIP onto Drag files, a folder or a ZIP here, or use Choose files or Choose folder. Sub-folders are read; the folder path of each file is recorded.
- Check the preview. The list shows 50 files checked and a status per file (table below). Nothing has been created yet. Open the details of a file with notes to read what is not carried over. Clear selection starts over.
- Choose the destination. Under Create in you find My projects and the organisations you belong to.
- Decide about the opt-in. Use files to improve the import is optional and off by default (see privacy below).
- Start. The button reads Create 48 projects. Duplicates and errors are skipped.
- Wait until the files are uploaded. Then the message "All files are uploaded. You can close this window: we will email you once everything is done." appears. Until then, keep the window open.
- Follow the progress or close the window. The page Your Trikker projects are being created shows the status, the estimated remaining time and, under Recognised so far, counters such as circuits, protective devices, sockets, light points and boards. Projects that are already created show up in your project overview right away. Cancel the rest stops the run; finished projects stay.
- Read the e-mail. Once every file has a final state, PlanElec sends exactly one e-mail to your account, in the language of the run, with numbers and a link to the report. It contains no file names or customer names.
- Open the report. See the next section.
Success criterion: the report is titled 48 projects created, and the projects appear in the project list you chose.
Which statuses does the preview show?
| Status | Meaning | What happens on start |
|---|---|---|
| Ready | The file can be read. | A project is created. |
| with notes | The file can be read, but parts are adjusted or not carried over. The details name them. | A project is created. |
| Duplicate | The same file (same content, not necessarily the same name) was already imported into the chosen destination, or appears twice in the run. | Skipped. |
| Error | The file is not a readable Trikker file. | Skipped. |
What does the report show?
The report opens through the link in the e-mail or, if you come back, on the same page. It gives the number of created projects, split into without notes, with notes, duplicates skipped and files not imported.
| Button | Effect |
|---|---|
| View projects | opens the project list with the new projects |
| Open project | appears when exactly one project was created and opens it |
| Report as CSV | downloads a table with file name, folder, status, project path, number of notes and error code |
| Import more files | starts a new run |
| Send for analysis | appears next to a file that was not imported and releases it for analysis (see privacy) |
The report contains codes and numbers. It tells you where to look; it does not confirm that a diagram is correct.
What is carried over and what is not?
| Area | Carried over | Not carried over |
|---|---|---|
| Single-line diagram | supply, boards and sub-boards, main switch, protective devices, circuits with protection and cables, consumers | devices without their own circuit protection and a few arrangements Pro cannot draw; the report names them |
| Combinations | adjusted in Pro, e.g. a circuit breaker followed by a 30 mA device becomes one combined device | – |
| Values | known cable types, cross-sections and ratings | unknown values are replaced and the cables marked for review |
| Project data | customer with phone and mobile (Gsm), installation address, installer, approved inspection body (name, address) | phone and e-mail of the inspection body, date and revision, document language |
| Notes | as notes in the single-line diagram, beside the symbol or free on the sheet, with colour and size; the export can leave them out | – |
| Layout | – | fixed circuit letters (the letter stays in the circuit name), manual page breaks, how sub-boards are displayed |
| Supply cable | the supply cable in front of the meter or main switch with cable type, cross-section, cores, length and conductor colours; every sub-board with its own supply cable and entry (without a cable in the file, Pro adds one with default values and the report says so) | – |
| Situation plan | one named floor per page, walls with their thickness, named rooms, doors with their swing, windows, garage doors, straight stairs, free texts (with line breaks) and rectangles, placed devices (linked to their circuit); room type from the room name (e.g. “Salle de bain” → bathroom, “Keuken” → kitchen; empty for unclear names, the report gives the number to check); floor order from clear names (cellar, ground floor, upper floors, attic), otherwise in the order of the pages | wires, symbols without a counterpart in Pro, images of imported floor plans |
| – | logo (Pro prints the logo from your profile), print options |
Treat everything that is not in the "Carried over" column as not carried over; the report of each file is the authority.
How does PlanElec recognise duplicates?
PlanElec compares the content of the files through a fingerprint (SHA-256), not the name. A renamed copy, a file that is in the ZIP twice and a file from an earlier run are duplicates. The comparison runs within the chosen destination, either My projects or the organisation, and only against projects that are not archived and that you are allowed to see.
What happens to my originals?
| File | Retention |
|---|---|
| Created project | The original is stored as a project file in the Project files of the project and stays as long as the project exists. The temporary copy used for processing is deleted. |
| File not imported, opt-in off and no click on Send for analysis | The original is deleted after 30 days. |
| File not imported, with the opt-in or after Send for analysis | The original is kept for analysis for up to 12 months so that the import gets better for such files. The result for your own file does not change. |
| Duplicate or cancelled file | Not kept; PlanElec deletes leftovers after one day. |
PlanElec deletes the list of files of a run (names, folders) 12 months after completion. Your files on your computer are only read, never changed. The usage statistics of the import contain numbers and codes, no file names.
How do I open a single file in Sketch and take it to Pro?
PlanElec Sketch is the route without an account. Open the file through Document → Open or from the start page ("Open Trikker file (.trik)"), read the import report and carry on working on the single-line diagram. Afterwards Sketch shows the note "Move your whole Trikker archive?" with the button Go to PlanElec Pro. If you want to carry on planning in Pro, choose Take it to Pro. The situation plan comes along: floors, walls, rooms, openings, stairs, texts, rectangles and placed devices are then on the Pro floor plan. Sketch opens files up to 8 MB.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Pro subscription?
No. The import is open to every signed-in account, including "Try Pro". Which Pro features you can use in the project afterwards depends on your plan.
Does Trikker need to be installed?
No. The import reads the contents of the files.
Can I import a Trikker PDF?
Not with Import Trikker projects. For a PDF with the floor plan, use floor plan recognition or place it as a template.
What happens if I interrupt a run?
If the upload stands still for more than 30 minutes, PlanElec closes the run. Files that did not arrive appear in the report as not imported. Start them again afterwards; projects that were already created are skipped as duplicates.
Is an imported project checked?
No. It is a starting point. Compare a few projects with the original, read the notes and run the self-check in Pro. It shows open points and is not a certificate; the inspection is carried out by the approved inspection body.
More on the background and on moving a whole archive is in the blog article Move your Trikker archive to PlanElec Pro. Trikker is a trademark of its owner; PlanElec uses the name only to refer to the product.
Important for electrical planning
These guides explain the software workflow. Have the design, installation and documents reviewed by a qualified electrician where needed; only an accredited inspection body performs the official inspection.
Continue reading
Getting started: from a new project to your first PDF
Create a project, choose the floor plan or the single-line diagram as your starting point, use guidance, a template or AI floor plan recognition, and produce your first draft PDF.
Using and reviewing automatic planning
Use PlanElec proposals for devices, switch chains, cable routes, circuits, phases, and the distribution board without skipping technical review.