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Reference

Ignored files

Temporary and backup files GigaCAD never uploads, and how to add your own rules.

CAD programs and operating systems write lock files, temporary files, and backups next to your real files. GigaCAD never uploads them, so they don’t clutter history or use your storage.

Built-in rules

These patterns are always ignored, in every folder, regardless of letter case:

  • ~$*, *.tmp, *.bak: SolidWorks lock and temporary files
  • Backup of *, Backup (*) of *, AutoRecover of *: SolidWorks backups
  • *.FCBak, .~lock.*#: FreeCAD backups and LibreOffice lock files
  • .DS_Store, Thumbs.db, desktop.ini: files macOS and Windows add to folders

Add your own rules

Put a file named .gigaignore in the top folder of the project. It uses the same syntax as .gitignore, one pattern per line, and matching ignores letter case:

# Exported copies we regenerate from the models
exports/
*.STEP

# Scratch work
scratch/

.gigaignore is committed like any other file, so everyone working on the project gets the same rules. Rules only apply to new files: a file that’s already on the branch keeps being versioned even if a pattern matches it later.

Two kinds of file can’t be versioned at all: symbolic links, and names Windows can’t store, such as names containing : or ?. giga commit stops and lists them. Rename them or add them to .gigaignore.