open read-only?

[mvsubstation]

Is there a way to open up a vector-works file read-only similar to autocad? I need to get into a file only to copy and paste items over to another file, and do not want to block out another user from being able to use the file I want to open read-only, plus don't want to accidently move a symbol in the read-only drawing.

[Ray Libby]

I don't think so. You could do a Save As when you open it and name it temp or something similar.

[michaelk]

You could also select all and lock all the objects. (Modify>Lock)

People could still add to the document, but they would have to unlock something before moving it.

[Gytis]

I don't know about Windows, but in Mac OSX, you could set permissions to read-only.

You may want to add a signature with relevant info: OS, VW version, hardware....

[Christiaan]

I don't know about Windows, but in Mac OSX, you could set permissions to read-only.

That's not just *opening* the file in read-only Gytis, that's making the file read-only for everyone.

I get people to copy the file to their desktop before opening if they just want to look rather than edit.

[Gytis]

Not my area of expertise, but I've used Get Info>Sharing and Permissions to specify User privileges individually. You can set some to Read and Write, others Read Only, so they can only open a copy and do anything they want w/o altering original file.

That would seem to serve mvsubstations needs...

[Christiaan]

Gytis, I think what mvsubstation is after is a temporary and uncomplicated way to look at files without accidently editing them. Permissions is neither temporary nor uncomplicated.

[maarten.]

Problem is that you can not open a file if the file is already openend by an other user, doesn't matter what permission the OS gives to the file.

So instead of getting the "failled on atempt to open file" in VW, you should get "this file is already in use, the file will be read-only". You could ad this to the wish-list.

EDIT: didn't see Christiaan's post.

Edited October 22, 2008 by maarten.

[atari2600]

Why not right click on the file and change the attributes to "read only", prior to opening it? When the other user goes to the file, have them turn off the "read only" state.

Another possibility (within Vworks) is to open it as a library favorite. You have the option to open it read-only.

[Gytis]

I hear you Christiaan. I see the wisdom then of a simple copy....

K.I.S.S., right?

[Christiaan]

Exactly. Then you can just dump the copy when you're done.

[bcd]

You could decide to save the file as a Template. This will have the effect of opening a new instance of the file every time it's opened - without the chance of the original being overwritten.