How to start a project sharing for cloud service access.

[Hugh F Greenland]

I'm new to doing project sharing and it seems like it should work great since I'm starting to work with lots of people in different time zones. My question is how you set up your .vwxp file to be used on Vectorworks cloud services or another cloud service so that others can open it directly there and get their own .vwxw files. The only videos I've been able to fine are from like 8 years ago and its more about local servers rather than cloud servers. People can see the .vwxp files but they can only download it not open and get their own .vwxw file that they can upload their changes to the .vwxp file.

I feel like there is a couple of steps I'm missing in the process.

[michaelk]

I'm relatively new to it also.  But I'm really enjoying it.  Same situation as you.  Many people working in different times zones.  We've been using Dropbox to hold the project file.

 

Open the drawing.

File > Project Sharing…

It will ask if you want to save the file and warn you that you will be converting it to a project file.  Click Yes.

Pick a location.

In the Project Sharing dialog box make sure that Automatically open a working file after setup is complete is checked.  Pick a network protocol.

In the next window set yourself as Admin. Make sure there is only one admin.  If you trust everyone you are working with set the Default Permission for New Users to Project.  You can always edit this later.

 

The file is now saved as a project file. (.vwxp).  

 

Found this out the hard way:  Make sure everyone who creates a working file stores it locally on their computer.  Not in the cloud.  [something something something sync something something bad]

 

We have found it useful to occasionally archive a project file and start a new one.  There is probably a better way to do this be this has worked for us: 

One person takes their working file and File > Cave a Copy As…

Rename the file and pick the same folder as the current project file.

At the bottom of the save window there is an option to save it as a .vwxp, .vwxw, or a .vwx.  Choose .vwxp and you are off and running again with a new project file.