Teamwork : how to divvy up the workspaces?

[Erika Epstein]

I have started working intensively with teamwork on small projects. I understand the different ways to share the file, what I would like to start is a discussion on the pros and cons of different ways of dividing up the workspaces.

We are working 2-3 people on small protects and I find us redefining work spaces several times a day. This is very time consuming. there must be better ways.

Are there some better strategies to this?
Ones to avoid?

thanks!

[Anonymous]

Erika wrote:
I was also wondering, do you find that your strategy changes as projects progress from the beginning design stages through construction documents? Granted the distinction between these are now blurred since Archicad.

Yes the strategy change according to the specificity of the phases of design and of the proximity of the deadline…

Even if work is faster than with the "hand", even if we need to be fewer to do the same work, even if the work doing with ArchiCAD look like "finish" from the very start each phase of design has its role.

It is —for me…— not a good idea to try not to do them.

Each phase of design don't have the same need in drawing and definition. The more i approach to the "construction" the more i need details which are specific to this particular construction.

In teamworks, we need to be more rigorous in work and more flexible in the evolution of the team…

[TomWaltz]

Erika wrote:
Tom, Frédéric et al,

Thank you for your help. I was also wondering, do you find that your strategy changes as projects progress from the beginning design stages through construction documents? Granted the distinction between these are now blurred since Archicad.

Our office keeps jobs single-user as long as possible, since Teamworking is pretty simple to set up. It's often two people in the beginning, with 5 or 6 later on. When it's only 2, they kind of handle their own workflow. Once the main production crew comes in, I come in with my rule book and make sure people are not changing workspace 10 times a day....

[Laszlo Nagy]

We have not actually started using Teamwork, because we are just upgrading our office to AC9.
What I will probably suggest to my fellow collegues is to divide by either occupying various layer, or by occupying various Section/Elevation/Detail Windows.
With the first, one guy can put all the annotation to its layer, another one can create dimensions etc.
With thel latter, we can say I am working on the Floor Plan, you are doing the elevations. If I changed something in the model, I send my changes and you receive them.
Of course we try to keep the projects as one-person jobs as long as possible.

[TomWaltz]

laszlonagy wrote:
We have not actually started using Teamwork, because we are just upgrading our office to AC9.
What I will probably suggest to my fellow collegues is to divide by either occupying various layer, or by occupying various Section/Elevation/Detail Windows.
With the first, one guy can put all the annotation to its layer, another one can create dimensions etc.
With thel latter, we can say I am working on the Floor Plan, you are doing the elevations. If I changed something in the model, I send my changes and you receive them.
Of course we try to keep the projects as one-person jobs as long as possible.

A few things to keep in mind about Teamwork and signing out:

• If you sign out a floor and layers, you own the 3D elements. You can edit these 3D elements in any view, including sections you do not own.
• If you sign out a section, you only control the marker, and the annotation in the section, regardless of layer.
• If you sign out a detail, you control the entire content of the detail window, regardless of layers.

One bug to be aware of: If you place a label in a section ("Label Element"), the person who turns the label on permanently owns it, and no one else can change it. The workaround is to turn the label back off, then turn it back on again.

[Laszlo Nagy]

TomWaltz wrote:
A few things to keep in mind about Teamwork and signing out:

• If you sign out a floor and layers, you own the 3D elements. You can edit these 3D elements in any view, including sections you do not own.
• If you sign out a section, you only control the marker, and the annotation in the section, regardless of layer.
• If you sign out a detail, you control the entire content of the detail window, regardless of layers.

Thanks for the info. I am sure it will be useful for others as well as for me.
In Section, we usually do not change anything, do not try to modify elements, only add 2D stuff to the model. So this will not cause problems for our office.
Thanks again.

[Rakela Raul]

do not try to modify elements, only add 2D stuff to the model.

good for you!!

[Erika Epstein]

Thank you everyone for all your help. Your guidance is just what I was looking for.

Tom, when are you publishing your Rules Book?
Does it come with thumbscrews?

[TomWaltz]

Erika wrote:
Thank you everyone for all your help. Your guidance is just what I was looking for.

Tom, when are you publishing your Rules Book?
Does it come with thumbscrews?

Erica, funny you should ask.... I have seriously thought about cutting out the company-specific parts and trying to publish it once I am done.... maybe through Objects Online.

Also included will be a mouse driver for delivering high-voltage shocks to people who do not comply.

[Anonymous]

TomWaltz wrote:
Also included will be a mouse driver for delivering high-voltage shocks to people who do not comply.

Like in "Orange Mecanique"…

Aaaaah, the rule and the spirit of the rule…

I also think about this —or worse…—, sometime when i redraw elements —for the n+1 time…— in the file

[Erika Epstein]

TomWaltz wrote:
I have seriously thought about cutting out the company-specific parts and trying to publish it once I am done.... maybe through Objects Online.

I hope you do. A proper actual-experience guide for teamwork is much needed.