Which path do I need? Before you import or restore a project, confirm which situation you're in - using the wrong path can overwrite data or make recovery harder. If you previously imported and worked on this project, and it has now disappeared from the Open Project list even though the project folder still exists on disk (e.g., in the Factory Database location), this is a missing or deleted database record - use this article. If this project has never been imported into Microvellum before (e.g., you're bringing it in from an archive, another system, or a library for the first time), use "How to Import a Project using Database Management" instead. Either way: back up your MicrovellumFactory.SDF file (or SQL database) before taking any action. If you're not sure which scenario applies, stop and back up before proceeding, or contact support for help confirming.
If a project has been accidentally deleted in Microvellum, recovery is often possible by restoring both the SQL database information and the physical project folder.
SQL Database Environments
If your environment uses SQL:
Restore a backup of the Microvellum database to a new temporary database.
Connect Microvellum to the restored backup database.
Locate the missing project.
Export the required project or projects from the restored database.
This allows the deleted project data to be recovered without affecting the live production database.
For detailed instructions on restoring a SQL database using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), refer to: Microsoft SSMS Database Restore Guide
After exporting the project:
Reconnect Microvellum back to the original production database.
Import the exported project or projects into the live environment.
Once imported, the project should reappear within the software.
Local Database or SQL CE Environments
If the environment uses a local database or SQL CE, recovery depends entirely on whether a backup of the MicrovellumFactory.SDF file exists.
This file can be located from within Microvellum by navigating to:
Help > Browse To Factory Data > Factory Database
Inside this folder, the MicrovellumFactory.SDF file contains the local project database information.
To recover deleted projects:
Restore a backup copy of the MicrovellumFactory.SDF file.
Replace the current database file with the backup version.
Restart the software.
If no backup of the MicrovellumFactory.SDF file exists, the deleted project data cannot be recovered from the local database.
Restore the Physical Project Folder
In addition to the database records, the actual project folder must also exist within the shared project data location.
Navigate to the project data directory and recover the deleted project folder by either:
Restoring it from the Windows Recycle Bin
Restoring it from a backup of the shared drive
Important Notes
Restoring only the SQL database without the project folder may result in incomplete or missing project data.
Likewise, restoring only the folder without the SQL records may prevent the project from appearing in Microvellum.
Exporting and importing projects via the Database Management utility is the safest method when recovering from a database backup.
SQL CE environments require a valid backup of the MicrovellumFactory.SDF file for recovery to be possible. It is recommended to always have a backup of this file before taking any actions that could compromise your Microvellum data.
If the Restore Itself Fails
If you're following the steps above and the restore isn't completing, or the recovered project still doesn't appear, check for these common causes before escalating:
The file is in use. Close Microvellum completely (and stop any SQL Server service session using the database) before replacing the MicrovellumFactory.SDF file or restoring a SQL backup — a file that's still open or locked will silently fail to replace or will corrupt on overwrite.
Insufficient permissions. Confirm your Windows account has write access to the Factory Database folder (or, for SQL Server, that your SQL login has restore permissions on the target database).
The backup file itself is corrupted or incomplete. A partial or truncated backup can appear to restore without error but leave the project missing. If possible, verify the backup file's size/date against when you know it was last known-good, and try an earlier backup if available.
Version mismatch. An SDF file or SQL backup taken on a different Microvellum build than the one currently installed may fail to attach correctly — confirm both are on matching versions before restoring.
If the restore still fails after checking the above, submit a support case with the exact error message shown and whether you're on a SQL Server or local/SQL CE environment.
Result
Once both the database records and the physical project folder have been restored, the deleted project should open and function normally within Microvellum.