How do I preserve compilation results when archiving my Quartus II project?

To preserve compilation results when archiving your project in the Quartus® II software, use one of the following two methods. These methods avoid the need to recompile your design after restoring the archive.

Method 1 creates an archive which can be restored using any version of the Quartus II software. However, some advanced devices do not have the capability of importing the post-Fitter database. They can only import the post-synthesis database. In this case, you need to run the Fitter before you run timing analysis.

Method 2 works for all devices, but the database in the archive can only be restored using the same version of the Quartus II software. You can run the TimeQuest timing analyzer on the archive without having to recompile the design.

Method 1

Archive your design with a version-compatible database by following these steps:

1. Export a version-compatible database for your design. Refer to Exporting and Importing Version-Compatible Database Files in the Quartus II Help for instructions.
2. After the database has been exported, on the Quartus II Project menu, select Archive Project...
3. In the Archive Project dialog box, specify to archive file name and click Advanced...
4. In the Advanced Archive Settings dialog box, turn on the option for Version compatible database files and click OK to close the dialog box
5. In the Archive Project dialog box, click Archive

Restore an archive containing a version-compatible database by following these steps:

1. On the Quartus II Projects menu, select Restore Archived Project...
2. In the Restore Archived Project dialog box, select the archive name and destination folder and click OK
3. After restoring the archived project, import the version-compatible database. Refer to Exporting and Importing Version-Compatible Database Files in the Quartus II Help for instructions.

For all devices, the Quartus II software should display a message indicating successful import of the post-synthesis database. For non-advanced devices, the Quartus II software will also display a message indicating successful import of the post-Fitter database.

Method 2

Create a Quartus II archive using the following command:

quartus_sh --archive -use_file_set full_db [-revision <revisionname>] <project_name>

This archive can then be restored using the same version of the Quartus II software.