Use the File menu > Save command to save a SAP2000 model. SAP will prompt you to save the file on a periodic basis if the Options menu > Auto Save File command is used and the appropriate option is selected on the Model Save Options form. It is still prudent, however, to use the File menu > Save command from time to time to perform a full save of model.
If the model has not been saved previously, SAP will prompt for a path and filename. If the file has been previously saved, SAP will store the file in the same location with the same filename, overwriting the previous version. SAP will save the model in a binary file and append an .SDB extension.
Use the File menu > Save As command to save a model file using a different name. When the command is used, SAP will prompt for the new path and filename. If major changes are to be made to a model, it may be prudent to save a version of the file under a separate name before making the changes. In addition, saving the file under different names as work progresses can be helpful.
SAP will prompt you to save the model before exiting the program if any changes were made to it since the last time the file was saved.
Note: SAP2000 automatically saves the model when the analysis is run.
Important: If any analyses have been run, SAP will save the analysis results along with the file when the File menu > Save command is used. However, SAP will not save the analysis results along with the file when the File menu > Save As command is used. Thus, use the File menu > Save command before using the File menu > Save As command.