2172 folder name length big problem

[Ignacio Azpiazu]

2172 for Mac can't access from the Open command the folders with a longer name (didn't check exactly what the character count limit is). These are folders previous releases were opening with no problem. The files open all right from the Finder, but don't want to even think what can happen with project libraries, or BG ArchiCAD.

The network is a 100 mb Ehternet with G4 and G5s on OS 10.3 and 10.4. The server is OS 10.3.9 using AFP over IP and the data is stored on an xRAID [whatever all of that means].

Anybody else had this big problem?

[Eduardo Rolon]

Not to be down on anyone...

I don't think the problem is for us and since I grew up using DOS 8.3 limit I don't have a problem with keeping it short but a lot of CAD "users" since Win95 got used to the idea of loooooong filenames.
Imagine my surprise when I couldn't import a dwg file from a consultant because he had written an "essay" for the file name. No error in AC just couldn't select the file for import, I was lucky to "guess" at the problem since AutoCAD could open the file without problems as did SketchUp, Illustrator and Vectorworks...

As for Windows to be unaffected it is not an excuse, what would happen if you would have to share a project between platforms. As I sometimes have to do.

WARNING
Always remember not to exceed AC's 27 character limit...

[Anonymous]

Let's not forget this new length limit is a change from previous versions of ArchiCAD. I am not sure what positive effect the change has had (though I would like to know), but the negative effects are obvious enough. Gone are the days of using the name+location of the project as the folder name for our CAD files.

[Ignacio Azpiazu]

I just found out that for browsing/opening/linking the long folder name problem can be bypassed by using a Finder alias (shortcut) with a shorter name for navigating into your file.

All the hotlinks libraries etc. seem to work fine also. I don't understand how or why this is supposed to work or not, but it does seem to work.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the great hint! Another victory for non-linear thinking...

[__archiben]

henrypootel wrote:
Not to be down on anyone, but don't you think that a file/folder with 27+ is a bit much?

once you've typed the office/job no./project name/date/thereisnoroomleftforadescription.isthere?

~/archiben

[TomWaltz]

henrypootel wrote:
If i want to write an essay, i'll use Word

No, apparently you'll use Archicad-Talk 😉

[TomWaltz]

ejrolon wrote:
As for Windows to be unaffected it is not an excuse, what would happen if you would have to share a project between platforms. As I sometimes have to do.

.... or if the next build does it to Windows people as well....

[henrypootel]

I would have thought that office, job number, and project name would all be folders. I have done a fair bit of programming and 3D Modelling and that is the kind of thing that we would do.

Of couse, I am not an architect so maybe there is some unwritten rule among the Secret Brethren of Architects(tm) which explicitly forbids this.

In that case, forgive me for my blasphemy and please do not visit your terrible wrath upon me!

p.s. This post was written in Word and therefore only contains words and concepts officially sanctioned by Microsoft Inc Co Ltd.

[__archiben]

henrypootel wrote:
I would have thought that office, job number, and project name would all be folders.

ah! you're the sort of bloke who'd have a billion job folders all with "floor plan.pdf" files in them?

the unwritten rule amongst the secret brethren-of-people-who-want-to-find-anything-again in the future is tag it with as much explicit information as possible!

i'd have you hung, drawn, quartered and your head hoisted up the flag pole if you did that here . . .

[henrypootel]

Sounds like another good reason to stay away from Christchurch!