Before this: A tour of the interface.
You’re going to save a named version of your board, compare it with the current one and go back to it. When you go back, the current version is saved first: nothing is ever lost.
You need URO Board Designer 0.3.3 or later and an open .s3dx. An STL has no history.
1. Open the history
With the board open, click the clock on the right-hand bar (Board history (H)) or press H.
Result: Board history opens with the list of versions, newest first. The newest is marked “latest”.
If the editor is open, close it first (or save its changes). The program asks you to before going back to a version.
2. See what is saved automatically
You don’t have to do anything: the program saves a version on its own in these cases.
| When | How it shows in the list |
|---|---|
| You save the shape in the editor | Shape saved |
| You leave Finish mode with changes, or accept the pad workshop | Finish |
| You discard the changes when leaving Finish mode | Finish discarded |
| You go back to another version | Before going back to another version |
| You save the board under another name | Copy |
Each version says what changed from the previous one: “shape changes”, “finish changes: colours and images, logos…” or “no changes from the previous one”.
If the board hasn’t changed, no repeated version is saved. The 50 most recent automatic versions are kept; the ones you save by hand are never deleted on their own.
3. Save a named version
Before a big change, save a version by hand:
- Type a name in Version name (optional), for example “before lowering the rocker”.
- Click Save version.
Result: “Version saved” appears and it shows at the top of the list as Version saved by hand.
Tip: use names that say what you’re about to try. In a week you won’t remember what “v3” was.
4. Compare a version with the current one
Click Compare on a version.
Result: the viewer switches to Compare mode with that version and the current board, so you can see what changed. Leave Compare as usual.
5. Go back to a version
- Click Go back to this on the version you want.
- The program asks: “Go back to version «…»? The current board is saved in the history first.” Accept.
Result: “Board restored to that version” appears. The shape and the finish are those of that version. The current one stays in the list as Before going back to another version: if you change your mind, go back to it.
Common mistake: being afraid to go back. Going back never deletes anything: you can always return to the one before.
6. Rename or delete
- Rename changes the name of any version.
- Delete only works on versions saved by hand. Automatic ones tidy themselves up.
7. Where it is saved
Versions go in a hidden folder next to the board: .name.historial (for my-board.s3dx, .my-board.historial). If you copy or move the board together with that folder, the history travels with it.
If the board’s folder can’t be written to (a read-only drive, for example), the history goes to your user folder. The panel tells you: in that case it doesn’t travel with the board.
Warning: finish images aren’t copied into the history: it stores where they are, just like the finish itself. If you delete or move an image, an old version won’t find it.
Next step
Try a big change without fear in the editor or in Finish mode: if you don’t like it, go back from the history.