Tolu
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Posts posted by Tolu
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Hi @Tom Klaber, @Jacob@tangably.com, et. al.,
On 5/12/2020 at 8:17 PM, Jacob@tangably.com said:Good to know that Vectorworks is committed to chasing the ever evolving cloud infrastructure. Thank you for the update. We look forward to the possibility -of using GDrive Filestream with Vectorworks in the near future.
As of yesterday morning, May 18, 2020, you can now use Google File Stream (GFS) with Project Sharing in Vectorworks 2020 SP3. You only need to shutdown and restart Vectorworks 2020 SP3 while you have an active internet connection to get the update.
Dropbox and Resilio are still our recommended cloud solutions to use with Project Sharing, followed by OneDrive. Dropbox and Resilio support "LAN Sync" and "Delta Sync," whereas OneDrive only supports (Delta Sync or Differential Sync). These three solutions are more performant than GFS.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Tolu-
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4 hours ago, Tom Klaber said:
No - I am not expecting miracles. No need for me to commit changes when I am offline. I just need to be able to pre-check out what I am going to work on - be able able to have access to those files while offline - and then commit those changes back when I have connection again without breaking anything.
The biggest issue is simply having access to the file itself while offline, but I guess the working files should be locally stored anyway - so the use case of simply needing to look at a file while onsite is not really an issue. Correct?
Yes, if your Working File is saved on your local machine, you always have access to the file.
In addition, when you open the Working File and Vectorworks detects that you have no internet access, it will prompt you to go off-line (see attached image). This prompt only occurs when you open your Working File.
Given the workflow you described (i.e., traveling and working without an internet connection), you can work offline. The message in my previous post was incorrect. I have edited it. I apologize for the confusion.
When you are in offline mode, you are only allowed to modify layers or objects you already have checked out. When in offline mode, you cannot check out additional objects, and you cannot commit.
The only limitation that exists today (Vectorworks 2020 SP3) is that you have no option to go offline explicitly. We will look into providing a solution in a future version of Vectorworks.
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40 minutes ago, Tom Klaber said:
Then it might make more sense for VW to support it.
Following the feedbacks, we will support Google File Stream in the not so distant future. However, as I have previously said, without "LAN Sync" and "Delta Sync" (or Differential Sync as Microsoft OneDrive calls it), the performance will not be the best.
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20 hours ago, Tom Klaber said:
FileStream (and I am sure Dropbox is similar) allows you to choose what is locally synced and what is kept fully on the cloud. So 75% of our server is totally cloud based, but everybody has local syncs of the important project files. That 75% you do not have access to without internet, but the 25% of important stuff you always have access to - internet or not - and it just syncs the next time you connect.
Thanks for the explanation. I now understand your workflow. For the 25% files, it seems you still want to be able to commit your changes while offline. Is that correct?
Currently, there is no explicit way to work offline. We'll look into adding support for that in the future. However, when you are offline, you will not be able to commit changes to the PF. Besides, you will only be able to work on objects you already have checked out.
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2 hours ago, Tom Klaber said:
We had an issue where layers were locked and marked as checked out by users even though they were not. The force release also was not available.
This means someone created a new object on the layer, and then discarded their Working File. Please let me know if this happens again.
2 hours ago, Tom Klaber said:Is there anyway to work offline? To check out layers ahead of time - work off line for a while - then resync?
No, not if you are using Dropbox. The premise of using a cloud solution is that you are always online, and that your Dropbox client is always running.
Could you please elaborate on your workflow? Why do you want to work offline?
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1 hour ago, Tom Klaber said:
We had some issues with Project Files breaking - and having to be remade.
Could you please elaborate on the "Project Files breaking"? What error message did you get?
1 hour ago, Tom Klaber said:I am assuming this is just part of life
No, this should not happen if things are properly setup.
1 hour ago, Tom Klaber said:any tips on the best way to configure Dropbox or the PS files
No major configuration is required, but here are some tips to follow.
- All users must have the Dropbox client installed
- Create the Project File in a folder within your local Dropbox folder, and then share that folder with the appropriate users. You cannot share the Project File directly.
- Once the project file is in the cloud folder, leave it there, and never make any copies. Do not duplicate it. Do not rename it. If the Vectorworks program detects multiple copies of a project file, an alert is displayed that the Project File is locked, and an Admin would have to reset it.
- When a user opens a working file connected to a project file shared on the cloud, the user must have an active internet connection, and the user’s Dropbox client must be running.
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2 hours ago, Tom Klaber said:
but Backup and Sync has been sunsetted for Gsuite
I am unsure where you are getting this information. Google Backup and Sync still works for me on MacOS and Windows. I have it installed on my MacOS and Windows machine. I can sync files to my Gmail account in Drive.
2 hours ago, Tom Klaber said:It sounds like I have to go hound Google to get me some Delta Sync. Unfortunately they are not as accessible as you.
When I searched for "Google Backup and Sync", the first hit I get is this link, which allows me to download and install Backup and Sync.
https://www.google.com/intl/en-GB_ALL/drive/download/backup-and-sync/
Could you please clarify what you are seeing?
Thanks,
Tolu
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1 hour ago, tsw said:
Trying to decide on OneDrive (free) or Dropbox (paid). The speed isn't too much of an issue since we usually only have 3 users on a project, but if there is less chance of corrupting the project file on Dropbox it might push us in that direction.
Either of the two solutions would work (Dropbox would be faster, however). If you already have OneDrive, try it and see if you are comfortable with its performance. Please let me know if you need help setting it up.
Thanks,
Tolu
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Perhaps our message was not and has not been clear. I apologize for the confusion.
Here is a link to an FAQ post stating that File Stream is not supported:
The post says, "NOTE: When using Google Drive, keep in mind that Project Sharing is NOT compatible with "Drive File Stream". It will still work with "Backup and Sync"."
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Correct, LAN sync does not help you when working remotely. However, Delta Sync does!
Delta Sync is crucial when working with Project Sharing. This is why Dropbox and Resilio are superior to the other cloud services that we support (Google Backup & Sync, Box, and OneDrive) when using Project Sharing much like @cberg, @Diego-Resuelvectorworks, and others have stated.
Note: As of Vectorworks 2020, we also support Resilio.15 minutes ago, Tom Klaber said:a person could work freely on their portion of the project - and then sync it back at the end of the day
This is not quite how Project Sharing works. There is still communication between Vectorworks and your local Project File, and Vectorworks needs to ensure that your local Project File is up to date before it can read the needed information from it.
17 minutes ago, Tom Klaber said:I guess one of the sources of the major frustration is that it is advertised as working with Google Drive and it does not.
Project Sharing works with Google Backup and Sync. It is Google File Stream that we do not supported.
When Project Sharing was initially released, Google File Stream did not exist. It was simply called Google Drive, which we supported. When Google released Google File Stream, Google moved the old "Google Drive" functionality to Backup and Sync. At that point, we updated our knowledge base articles and posts that Google File Stream is not supported. We only support Google Backup and Sync. However, Backup and Sync is slow compared to Dropbox or Resilio. Note that Google File Stream still does not support LAN Sync or Delta Sync either. Maybe we missed a
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2 hours ago, Tom Klaber said:
were being forced 3 times a week to create new project files and working files because of errors and corruptions.
I suspect that your setup is flawed. I would be glad to take a look at your setup if possible.
2 hours ago, Tom Klaber said:Still would love to see a File Stream solution
We have looked at Google File Stream, and the absence of LAN Sync and Delta Sync makes this solution uninteresting. Imagine having to copy 500MB every time a user checks out or releases an object. It would be too slow.
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You said the Walls are missing in the Viewports. Are the Walls also missing in the model space?
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1 hour ago, Amorphous - Julian said:
Things keep going missing throughout the day. Walls disappearing on one terminal but not the other.
This looks like classes are turned off in that specific Working File.
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Hi Julian,
The screen recordings you provided show that you have class filters turned on. You are only showing invisible classes.
Your classes are not disappearing.
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I'm going off of your previous statements, which was that a ”Save and Commit” takes 15mins and that for 3 users it equates to 45 mins.
At any rate, the time for a S&C or Refresh is completely dependent on the changes you've made, your hardware, & network speed. I’ll investigate using your files tomorrow morning and follow-up with you.
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2 hours ago, Amorphous - Julian said:
3) What is preventing the team from effectively executing the metadata clearing, is the 15+ minute ‘save and commit’ time required (for each person).
Clearing the metadata does not require a ”save and commit”. It only requires that all users refresh their WFs. All the users within the team can refresh at the same time.
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Importing data from consultants that use other software can cause your User Origins to shift if you do not select the correct options when importing their files into Vectorworks. A shifted User Origin will cause your referenced data to appear at the wrong location.
If you see a "random" shift, make sure the User Origin in your source and target files are correct. Once you have validated the User Origin, you should update all references.
If, after following these steps, your files still appear shifted, please send me your files in a Direct Message. I will investigate the problem further.
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Unfortunately, I am unable to follow your message. The video you posted in blurry. I cannot see your screen.
13 hours ago, Amorphous - Julian said:[UPDATE 28/10/2019]
Project sharing issues has gone from moderate to SEVERE. To a point where project sharing is NOT FEASIBLE.
I was out of my office on Wednesday and Thursday.
And the following Message came up on one the workstations:
We followed the instructions.
Follow that. 'Save and Commit' Operation will not function properly.
This message is a warning that the performance of Project Sharing is degraded because your Project Sharing metadata is too large. As such, many Project Sharing operations will be slow. This message is meant for an Administrator that understands the next steps (i.e. clearing the metadata). You can read about clearing the metadata here: https://app-help.vectorworks.net/2019/eng/index.htm#t=VW2019_Guide%2FProjectSharing%2FClearing_Metadata_from_the_Project_File.htm&rhsearch=Project Sharing metadata&rhsyns=
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If a user has two machines with the same name, VW will allow the user to use the same Working File on both devices. The user would need a way to transfer his or her WF across both machines.
If the user is working at home, and he checks out ten objects, once he transfers his WF to his work machine, the same ten objects will be available to use from that same WF.
The user must be careful with this workflow. He or she must always work on the latest copy of his WF. As such, the user needs to find a mechanism to sync his WF automatically to both machines, or he must put his WF on a USB drive.
If you do not want this behavior, you will need to create another user account on one of the machines. With this, you will see the user as two users in the Project Sharing dialog. Even with this workflow, the user must not forget to release objects when he is done working at home. If he does, he will block himself (when he is back at work) and other users.
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I just tried PS and Dropbox on my end here, and everything works correctly. I do not see any problems.
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This problem should be fixed now. Users should be able to use Project Sharing with Dropbox, Box, etc.
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I’m looking into this now. Was tour Dropbox client upgraded over the weekend?
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If you change the User Origin in a Project Sharing environment, it is logged in the history.
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The "Network Protocol" setting is stored with the Project File -- not the Working File. The admin has to change it by opening his Working File, going to File -> Project Sharing... -> Settings tab. Once modified, the change will be reflected in all users' Working File associated with that Project File. Changing this setting requires "administrative" permissions, so all users will not have permissions to change this setting. If every user is an admin, this is bad.
Project Sharing - User Checkout Color
in General Discussion
Posted
Hi @cberg,
I agree the cyan color is almost unreadable. Could you please confirm the version of Vectorworks you are using? The color was corrected in Vectorworks 2020 SP3.