Upgrading - There is NEVER a good time for this.

[digitalcarbon]

I know everyone already knows this but there is never a good time to upgrade.

 

2022 has this bug where i move something and it crashes every time.  Happened to try it in 2023 and no problems.  So I'm ready to move over to 2023.

 

One project is new so a move to 2023 should not create any problems. However, another project is at the end and I fear anything an upgrade will introduce into this massive project.

 

So you say "easy Mike, just do small project in 2023 and the big one keep in 2022"  The problem with all this upgrading is these projects ref in a lot of items from my library.

 

So I need to make a "2023 library but still keep a 2022 library?" at least until i close out all 2022 projects. (not going to happen)

 

I tried this about 10 years ago when i worked in the architectural studio. Back when I was brilliant & full of quick fixes.  New projects were started in the new version and any old were kept in the old version...new library & old library were made.  Hero to Zero with in days.  What a mess that was.

 

The upgrade paradigm has got to go. It is long long over due to be retired.

 

Surprisingly this upgrade issue does not exist in my mechanical cad world.  Which the founders saw coming before they started the company in 2010.

 

My gut is telling me that someone in the dark corners of VW saw this coming also.  There always is at least one person who says "hey wait a minute..."  Need to find that person and apologies for not listening to them.  I also need to apologize as I was severe in my criticism when vw gave a sneak peak of vw cloud back then.

 

So here it is..."To the forward thinking individuals who saw this upgrade nonsense issues back around 2010... I apologize.  I laughed, mocked the idea of cloud cad.  Called you all buffoons (in my mind).  Little did I know what you saw back then I started to realize just a few years ago...VW, Revit, etc are running out of track in the current paradigm.  My deepest apologies"  

[VIRTUALENVIRONS]

I had a problem in 2022 where it hung up or crashed in a similar fashion.  I did a reinstall and the problem persisted.  Then I did an uninstall first and then a reinstall, good to go.

I appears the problem lies in a Preference file somewhere.  It has not happened since, and It may have been handled by an upgrade.

But, the point I am trying to make is that if you have done a re-install only, the problem will persist because the offending Preference file still remains somewhere.

 

[Christiaan]

Paradoxically the best time to upgrade is when you are most actively working on a file, and on as many parts of it as possible. A 2-3 week period of no major deadlines is also useful.

 

This allows you to trial it and back out if you run into a major problem, avoiding abortive work or more problems by having to export it back a version.

 

My worst experiences upgrading have been when I've upgraded a file during low activity, only to run into a problem later on when I started working on the file again while needing to hit a deadline.

[digitalcarbon]

interesting...I think the deadline is the key.  One can recover from any upgrade problem as long as there is time before the deadline hits...

 

So what about having many projects all with varying deadlines?

 

I cannot even imagine an architectural office with 5+ projects all referencing the library files. 

 

So when does one push the upgrade button?

 

I have done freelance with just two offices (me + 2 other independent offices) 

 

I have to contact them and tell them that I plan on upgrading on a specific day.  then i need to see if that works for them.  what is their work load? 

 

bottom line...there is never a good time to upgrade.  

 

 

Edited March 13, 2023 by digitalcarbon

[digitalcarbon]

So if i do a batch convert will that convert the folders that are "online only" in my dropbox account? I will assume it will not.  so there is another headache 

 

[Jeremy Best]

On 3/11/2023 at 3:42 AM, digitalcarbon said:

2022 has this bug where i move something and it crashes every time.  Happened to try it in 2023 and no problems.  So I'm ready to move over to 2023.

 

My experience suggests that it is more likely that the objects concerned - or perhaps something they rely on in the file - are corrupt. The process of converting a file [to a newer version's file format] involves Vectorworks reconstructing/rebuilding objects based on the parameters that define them and this process can correct corruptions. There are various ways to invoke this process, including: 

• Toggling parameters of the object/s in the Object Info Palette. 
• Copy-pasting the object within the same file, or (perhaps more reliably) to another file and then back again. 
• When the problem object can't be easily identified; Import all objects into a new blank document, via Tools > Organization > Design Layers > 'New…' > Import Design Layers, select desired layers, select 'Import Layer Objects'. 
• Export the file to a previous version, then reopening it in the current one. 

It's also possible one of the Vectorworks preference files could be corrupt and responsible for this, although I've not encountered them being responsible for this particular behaviour. To rule them out simply quit Vectorworks then rename the Vectorworks 'Settings' folder found within the Vectorworks User Folder found here: 

• On Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Vectorworks/2023/Settings (Use 'Go To Folder…' command in Finder). 
• On Win: %AppData%\Nemetschek\Vectorworks\2023\Settings (Paste into the address bar of any File Explorer window). 

You'll then need to re-setup all your Vectorworks Preferences. 

[Christiaan]

17 hours ago, digitalcarbon said:

So what about having many projects all with varying deadlines?

 

I cannot even imagine an architectural office with 5+ projects all referencing the library files. 

This can be a positive thing, because if there is a problem related to the workflow you'll find it sooner.

[digitalcarbon]

Helped out an Architectural firm last week.  They are in 2022 but I have both 2023 & 2022 installed but my library is in 2023.  I could do most of the work for the firm but I needed a little help from a VW specialist.  The specialist is on 2023 but can reinstall 2022 if needed...

 

Did I ever say that there is never a good time to upgrade?