Multiple users in vectorworks

[simbob]

Is there a way to check in/out of files when multiple users are using the same files so you don't overwrite other's work? We sync via google drive which will save a 'conflict' file if two users change the same file, but it can't tell you directly if someone is using the file when you open it

[Dieter @ DWorks]

That's a hard one if VW can't find out if it is already in use when opening. Then it's up to the humans to communicate!

[Christiaan]

Is there a way to check in/out of files when multiple users are using the same files so you don't overwrite other's work? We sync via google drive which will save a 'conflict' file if two users change the same file, but it can't tell you directly if someone is using the file when you open it

No, this is the reason we don't use Dropbox/Google Drive for this purpose. We use our own internal file server instead. VW has built in support for notifying people that someone else already has a file open in this situation.

However we do have remote workers too and the internet is not fast enough to work directly off a remote file server.

So what we've done instead is to set up a folder system whereby if somebody remote wants to work on a file they first move it to a folder on the server (called, say, "Alan work in progress") and then download the file and work on it directly on their machine. Then they upload progress at the end of the day. This way the people in the office know the file is being worked on remotely and they also have access to the latest file on a daily basis.

The problem with this is the admin involved, so they can forget to upload their work at the end of the day.

So more recently we've set up system using Dropbox installed directly on our internal file server* and then having the remote workers sync with this Dropbox account and put there "work in progress" folders in this Dropbox folder. This way people in the office always have access to the very latest file.

* we have to leave the server logged in because Dropbox doesn't work when logged out