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Tolu

Vectorworks, Inc Employee
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Posts posted by Tolu

    get rid off project sharing metadata diagnostics

    in Wishlist - Feature and Content Requests

    Posted

    The metadata diagnostics is meant to be used by administrators. Administrators are not necessarily architects. 

     

    The metadata diagnostics is one way to clear out previous commit information that is no longer needed. Clearing your metadata preserves your history, however. The alternative is to create a new Project File from your Working File, but you will lose all history in the Project File. 

    Project Sharing Server User Manual

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    We also have a failsafe where the PSS will release all locks after 8 hours. Having said that, if you think your internet is terrible (i.e., it drops frequently) and you have to simulate it by unplugging your network cable, then you have more significant problems. Project Sharing requires a fast and stable network connection. Please refer to our system requirements here: https://www.vectorworks.net/sysreq

     

    6 hours ago, CeeBee said:

    We tried this with the Project Sharing Server bundled in VWX2021 (ProjectSharingServerInstaller-602034-docker-image-555) and VWX2022 (ProjectSharingServerInstaller-602034-docker-image-549).
    Interesting Fact: The Project Server bundled with VWX 2021 seems to be a later release, indicated by the 555 and the datestamps of the files.

    No, it is the same build. 602034 is the important number.

     

    Thanks,

    Tolu

    Project Sharing Server User Manual

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Hi Christian, 

     

    Information about the Project Sharing Server are included in the Vectorworks manual. 

     

    45 minutes ago, CeeBee said:

    when a connection to the server while sending changes is disconnected

    With the Project Sharing Server (PPS), users do not need to mount the Synology NAS drive; we do not rely on the SMB/AFP connection. We use HTTP, which means each client's action (ex. commit, check out, etc.) requires a new HTTP connection - all without any user intervention. We use a checksum to ensure all data is received when sending changes. As such, there is no side effect to disconnecting the connection (ex. WiFi) while sending changes.

     

    There are many more technical (or implementation) details about the Project Sharing Server and how it works. For example, we also use web-sockets, so the Project Sharing Server is notified if Vectorworks is shut down/crashes. In summary, all those "Project File is locked," and "connection" problems you used to see with File-based Project Sharing no longer exist with the Project Sharing Server.

     

    45 minutes ago, CeeBee said:

    1) In the 2021 version the full file is transferred on sending changes - Is it planned that this changed in the future to a delta sync (or did it already change in 2022?)

    This is planned for a future release. 

     

    45 minutes ago, CeeBee said:

    Backup of Project Sharing file also seems to be happen by the client sending a full copy to the server, or? (Instead of the server making a copy before/after the commit locally)

    Currently, the client sends a copy of the Project File to the server. Yes,  the Project Sharing Server could do that work. However, we still support File-based Project Sharing. The Project Sharing Server is meant to be a direct replacement for our previous File-based solution.

     

    By the way, the Project Sharing Server is backwards compatible. You can use Vectorworks 2021 with the Project Sharing Server that comes with Vectorworks 2022.

     

    Thanks,

    Tolu

    Weird Project Sharing Errors

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Hi Sara,

     

    When using Project Sharing with a Cloud Service (VCS, Dropbox, etc.), Vectorworks will generate this error message if Vectorworks detects that the Project File in your cloud folder was renamed, moved, or copied using Finder or Windows Explorer. 

     

    Which Cloud Service are you using? 

     

    Vectorworks will prevent additional changes to the Project File (until you perform a reset) to eliminate data loss when this error is detected. Only an Admin can perform a reset. The Admin must decide which version of the Project File is the latest. If you are the Admin, check with your teammates to determine which Project File is the latest. Move the most recent copy of the Project File to your local cloud folder, and then perform the Reset. Alternatively, you can recreate the Project File.

     

    You can refer to this Project Sharing FAQ https://forum.vectorworks.net/index.php?/articles.html/articles/faqs/project-sharing-faq-r427/, or you can visit https://university.vectorworks.net and explore courses on Project Sharing.

     

    Let me know if you have additional questions.

     

    Thanks.
    Tolu

    Project Sharing - Where are we?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    3 hours ago, Christiaan said:

    What's the verdict on performance?

    It is dependent on your internet speed and the size of your Project File. If your upload and download speed is 10 mbps, and your Project File is 300 MB, your experience will be poor. However, Project Sharing Server will still function. Even with a cloud-service, like Dropbox, a 10 mbps internet speed will result in a poor performance.

     

    Below is an excerpt from the system requirements for VW2021 on Project Sharing:

    "As the network bandwidth increases, so does project sharing performance. Slower network speeds can still provide a satisfactory user experience if you minimize operations that transfer large amounts of data over the network (such as committing changes to the project file or refreshing a local working file)."

     

    https://forum.vectorworks.net/index.php?/articles.html/articles/vectorworks-2021-system-requirements-r829/

     

    • Like 1

    Project Sharing - Where are we?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    7 minutes ago, Matt Hall said:

    Vectorworks confirms that google file stream hasn't worked for Vectorworks users (it worked for us for several weeks but then kept giving us errors to the point I had to split up a project and rebuild it)

    Google File Stream is supported. However, Google File Stream does not have Delta Sync, so its performance is subpar compared to VCS, Dropbox or Resilio. If you are/were having issues, could you please send me a direct message? 

     

    8 minutes ago, Matt Hall said:

    The Vectorworks solution has been to develop their server to transfer data a particular way that supports Vectorworks project sharing.

    This is great in that there is a project sharing system that Vectorworks supports, however one needs to be deliberate about what files are on their server and what are on an office server.  So it's not a very functional way for an office to work. 

    No, the Project Sharing Server allows you to put your files anywhere. We just need to know where the files reside. This is done by setting the "Projects Directory" to where your files reside. The Project Directory can contain any file (not just Vectorworks file). For example, you could set the Projects Directory to be the root folder that contains all your files. 

     

    11 minutes ago, Matt Hall said:

    If this is what Vectorworks has set up to make project sharing work, I'm assuming that I cannot trust a server other than the Vectorworks server to have success with project sharing.  So setting up an internal server (like NAS) to use project sharing doesn't seem to be an option. 

    We fully support installing the Project Sharing Server on a NAS. You can install the Project Sharing Server on a Mac, Windows, or a NAS device. Please refer to this link on how to install the Project Sharing Server: https://university.vectorworks.net/course/view.php?id=297

     

    12 minutes ago, Matt Hall said:

    I'm assuming that it is a given the all this needs to work for remote workers and not people sharing one office space.

    If you want this to work with remote workers that's when you need an IT department (or a network guy) to setup a VPN so that access to the Project Sharing Server is secured and authenticated over the internet. If you do not have a IT department, I recommend you use Project Sharing with a Cloud Service (e.g. VCS, Dropbox, Resilio, One Drive, Box, Google Backup & Sync, or Google File Stream).

     

    I hope this clarifies the conversation.

     

     

     

    • Like 1

    Project Sharing - Where are we?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Hi @Christiaan,

     

    I agree it adds complexity. However, a solution that works out of the box, using your servers or machines without any maintenance, is non-existent. You will have to manage certificates at a minimum. Encryption relies on certificates. Certificates are tied to a specific domain. Vectorworks cannot give out a certificate that is tied to your domain. You have to purchase a certificate from a Certificate Authority and install it on your servers.

     

    This is why AWS, Windows Azure, etc., have a business. You pay a fee, and they handle all the security and certificates for you. The caveat is that you do not use your machines.

     

    38 minutes ago, Christiaan said:

    Have you tested PSS over VPN?

    Yes, we have been using Project Sharing Server over VPN for more than a year. When our office was closed last year due to the pandemic, anyone that wanted to use the Project Sharing Server had to use it over VPN from their homes. Besides, we did all our acceptance tests for VW2021 using Project Sharing Server over VPN.

     

    • Like 2

    Project Sharing - Where are we?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    7 hours ago, Christiaan said:

    there is one other form of project sharing that we would like—and would in fact be our preference over all other options—and that's to host our own Project Sharing Server on a NAS or a Mac but be able to use it over the internet.

    You could do this today with the Project Sharing Server. You essentially have 2 options:

    1. Host the Project Sharing Server on your internal server, and open up the server so it is accessible over the internet. (This is not recommended because your connection is unsecured)
    2. Host the Project Sharing Server on your internal server, but only make the server accessible over a VPN. VPN will provide authentication and encryption.

     

     

    Project Sharing Not Working

    in Troubleshooting

    Posted

    1. Does she have the latest version of OneDrive installed?

    2. Does she have the Project File in her OneDrive folder? Is the size of the Project File the same as yours? Make sure you have "Files On-Demand" turned off? This ensures the Project File is actually synced to your computer.

    • Like 2

    Project Sharing Server

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    4 hours ago, str said:

    Thanks @Tolu for your prompt reply, I can see it but the .zip is 1KB and the .tar is 0 KB and not working (installing from Vectorworks2021-SP0-564899-SeriesBEG-installer4-osx.dmg). Should I download the dmg again?

    The docker installer seems to be corrupt. We are working to resolve the issue. Sorry for the inconvenience. 

    • Like 2

    Project Sharing Server

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    9 minutes ago, _James said:

    Hi @Tolu, thanks for the info. We were using project sharing with a direct connection to the NAS but have now switched to dropbox. I think our issues were to do with 2 things:

     

    - no VPN connection

    - slow internet speeds

    I suspected as much. Using Dropbox is the best solution for your setup.  The Project Sharing Server will not help you.

     

    Our hardware recommendations are here: https://www.vectorworks.net/sysreq. You need at least ~50 mbps.

     

    • Like 1

    Project Sharing Server

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    @_James

    If you are using Project Sharing and working remotely, you should be using Project Sharing with a cloud service (Dropbox or Resilio provides the best performance). This setup is the best. 

    If that setup is not feasible, you will have to connect to a shared drive using a VPN, but your internet speed must be fast relative to your file size. 
     

    If you currently connect to a shared drive (Win, Mac, NAS) in an office or via a VPN, I recommend installing the Project Sharing Server on the shared drive. 

    With the Project Sharing Server (PSS), we no longer rely on the operating system (OS) when locking the Project File. With users using different operating systems and multiple file protocols (smb, AFP, etc.), there was no reliable way to lock the Project File. The PSS eliminates this problem. We now have a process running on the server or NAS that handles all operations on the Project File - this gives us full control, and it eliminates any surprises. Also, we no longer rely on smb and AFP with the Project Sharing Server. Vectorworks communicates with the PSS using HTTP, which works irrespective of the OS you are using. 
     

    You mentioned you had problems remotely connecting to a NAS. What were the issues? Did you get any alerts? Were you using a VPN connection? Understanding these problems might shed some light on the root problems, and I can provide a more specific recommendation.

     

    Thanks,

    Tolu

    • Like 3
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