Kane Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 (edited) Hi everyone. I am fairly new to VW with previous software experience mainly in ArchiCAD. I am working for a practice and we've discussed having multiple users in a single file/model working at the same time. Now, in ArchiCAD there is a Reserve and release method, where you can research elements of the model to draw, and request to use reserved components from other users, where they can than release, freeing it up to use. Does VW offer a similar method, to allow for multiple users to work from the same file at the same time? Thanks in advance Edited August 21, 2019 by Kane spelling Quote Link to comment
cberg Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 (edited) You can set up project sharing. The process is a little glitchy, especially when VW crashes and your users are still checked into objects/layers. But With 2-3 users per project, it is workable. Edited August 21, 2019 by cberg 1 Quote Link to comment
Kane Posted August 21, 2019 Author Share Posted August 21, 2019 Yes, exactly what we are looking for. How can you transfer an existing model into a project sharing file? Quote Link to comment
cberg Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 Under the File Menu, select File Sharing. There will be a couple of network settings. We usually share via SMB. If you need to revert to a normal VW file, save a copy as a Vectorworks vwx document. Quote Link to comment
Popular Post TomKen Posted August 21, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted August 21, 2019 We use project sharing in our office all the time. 2-3 to three users seems o.k. . Place your regular Vectorworks file onto your server. Then open the file from the server, under the file drop down open project sharing and follow prompts. This will change the regular .vwx file on the server into a .vwxp project sharing file, and change the file you have open into .vwxw file (user file). it will have your computer name appended to the end of the file name. Each person who wants to work on the project will open the file from the server and it will automatically generate a worker file for them. These are some of the things I've learned. - don't wait all day to save and commit your changes, do it several times a day otherwise the program is keeping track of too many things. - only one person can save and commit at a time and while doing so other workers can't sign out objects. So co-ordinate regular save times with other users and check with them when you are about to commit. -at least once a week have all the users save and commit all there changes. Once this is done and all the changes are refreshed to your file do a "save a copy as" a regular .vwx file. Then go through the process of making a project file again. The reason I do this is because VW is keeping a log of all the changes and this can get quite long. So I have found that starting with a fresh file at least once a week speeds things up. In our office I end every Friday once the other users are done for the day going through these steps. That way Monday morning starts with fresh project file. (I also sequentially number these project files, besides our server backups I can go back to files in one week increments which comes in Handy when people change their minds and you need to retrieve something you did several weeks back.) Overall project sharing although sometimes glitchy has been positive for us. Good Luck 5 Quote Link to comment
Kane Posted August 21, 2019 Author Share Posted August 21, 2019 Very helpful response, thank you. I'm looking forward to rolling out this method although initially it sounds like there should be scope to develop project sharing within VW Quote Link to comment
Guest Wes Gardner Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 @Kane you can also use DropBox for Project Sharing if you have remote offices, etc... Wes Quote Link to comment
mgebel Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 I'm setting up Project Sharing for the first time. This might sound crazy, but I have people on my team using different cloud sharing services - one with dropbox and the other with Drive. I have both Drive and Dropbox installed on my computer, and I have the folder in which the project file is stored synced to both services (normally I wouldn't do this, except for this specific reason). If I share the folder to one person on Drive and the other person on Dropbox, will it work? I know it's probably crazy and not likely to work, but for some reason I think it might be okay. Alternatively, does anyone have experience using project sharing on both cloud services, and do you have a preference for either? Finally, super basic question: where does one locate/change the username that Project Sharing references? Quote Link to comment
mgebel Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 one more question about Project Sharing compatibility: does it matter if all users are using the same version of Vectorworks? I have one team member who is using v.2018, which means that I am currently upgrading his files every time I want to incorporate his work into the main project. If I give him access to the project sharing file, will it work? Quote Link to comment
herbieherb Posted August 27, 2019 Share Posted August 27, 2019 I woul'd only use one project file. You need to choose one cloud service. Also every user has to use exactly the same vectorworks version. That means you have to coordinate and update new servicepacks all together. Be sure to send all changes first. It's impossible to use VW2018 projectsharing with VW2019. Quote Link to comment
Guest Wes Gardner Posted August 27, 2019 Share Posted August 27, 2019 @mgebel, the username that Project Sharing uses is the computer name. I would use all the same version and run it all over one sharing service - I believe we recommend DropBox. Here are some other recommendations: Turn off project file backup when using dropbox Project file must be in a folder and the folder must be shared not the project file. Set the sharing permission at the folder level Wes Quote Link to comment
Kane Posted September 19, 2019 Author Share Posted September 19, 2019 What is the difference between SMB and AFP sharing? Trying to work out what is best for myself and one other to work in a model at the same point Quote Link to comment
Kane Posted September 19, 2019 Author Share Posted September 19, 2019 2 minutes ago, Kane said: What is the difference between SMB and AFP sharing? Trying to work out what is best for myself and one other to work in a model at the same point After setting up SMB, trying to open the model i experience these pop ups: What do i need to do to continue working in project sharing? Quote Link to comment
James Russell Posted September 19, 2019 Share Posted September 19, 2019 @Kane In relation to your question regarding SMB vs AFP they are two different types of connectivity protocol; (Microsoft) Server Message Block [SMB] and Apple Filing Protocol [AFP] This is primarily used when talking about a hosted LAN structure of Project Sharing and is normally dictated if your office is Mac or Windows based. Commonly people who are unsure will preference the SMB format as Mac support both SMB and AFP connections nativity. As for the second query regarding Dropbox and Google Drive integration sitting on the fence between the two *is* possible if you get all the shared permissions settings correct and more often than not have a dedicated server machine which can be used to bridge the divide between the platforms acting as a shared base. It would however be highly advised that you attempt to stick with one cloud sharing platform with all users have read-write capabilities. Best of luck with your adventures down Project Sharing. It's a rocky yet rewarding task - if you can collectively get all participants onboard (this is normally the harder part for me!) J Quote Link to comment
Lorenzo S Posted August 16, 2021 Share Posted August 16, 2021 I bump this as I am running in the same issue @Kane had. One of my colleagues uses a PC and I need to switch from AFP to SMB. The first window appears when I want to save and commit. What do I do wrong? Thanks! Quote Link to comment
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