Files
In OptiPath, a file refers to a permanent database file retained by your computer which holds all of the data for all of your data sets and seriations. A data set refers to a single collection of archaeological artifacts (or assemblages) which you are trying to seriate. You may have many data sets (for example, separate data sets for Hohokam pottery, Hawai'ian fish hooks and Inuit spear points), but they can all reside in a single file (for example, OptiPath.ops).
Files are the permanent repositories of your data on your computer system, storing the data when OptiPath is not running. By default OptiPath files have an extension of ".ops" (for example, OptiPath.ops), but this extension is not required. OptiPath files are in a format compatible with Microsoft Access database (.accdb) files (we don't recommend trying to edit the file in Access - if you mess it up, OptiPath is going to choke). The default file (OptiPath.ops) is included with the software. It will be installed in a Resources folder in the folder where OptiPath is installed (which will be determined by Windows). When OptiPath first starts up it will open and use the default file. You will be able to rename the file and/or move it to another folder. From then on, when you start OptiPath it will start up where you left off, with the file, data set and seriation you were working with when you last shut OptiPath down. If the file is relocated outside of OptiPath, then a standard Windows Open File dialog will appear the next time you start OptiPath.
There is no need to have multiple OptiPath files. One file can contain as many data sets as you want, and as many seriations as you want for each data set. However, if you do want to have multiple files, you must copy the current file (to a file with a new name) and then use either the original file or the copy as a new file. Deleting existing data sets will give you an empty file to work with. Feel free to copy the included file (OptiPath.ops) at any time to create a backup of your data.
Since the tables in the database require a very specific format there is probably not much use in your trying to create your own data file outside of OptiPath (you can create a data set in Excel and import it into OptiPath). If you have Access, you can poke around in the database but be careful of adding/deleting/editing anything in Access because it might throw OptiPath for a loop.
Files Menu
Open allows you to open an existing data file. The current file will be closed automatically and the Open File dialog will appear to let you choose a new file to open.
From this dialog you can locate and open another file, so long as it is of the expected format (the name of the file does not matter). A copy you have made of an ops file should work fine.
Demo opens a demonstration file with multiple example data sets and seriations (after updating the current file to save any changes you have made).
Save allows you to save the current file. This will force the copy of the database, which resides in the currently open file, to be brought up-to-date with any changes you may have made to the data on the screen. Normally you will not have to save your file as OptiPath saves it automatically at opportune times (including when you exit OptiPath). However, it is difficult to know exactly when the operating system will execute database queries and to be sure the data file is up-to-date you can use the Save feature.
Save Copy... allows you to save a copy of the current file to a new file name and location. This is handy for creating a backup of your database.
Current shows you the path where the current file is located.
Exit allows you to quit OptiPath. The database will be brought up-to-date and closed automatically.
Help will bring up this documentation.
Recent Files is a list of files recently used. Clicking on a file will close the current file and open the selected file.