Teamworks (PLP, PLC files?)

[rob2218]

here's the question:
1. created teamwork file at work (PLP file).
2. wanted to take an "instance" of the PLP file so did a "save as" a PLC file.
3. Now, I opened the PLC file, and the file told me that it couldn't find the PLP file??? but it let me do work in it anyway.
4. I saved the PLC file when I was done.

Now, How do I associate the PLC file with the PLP file I have at work when I go back on Monday?

What's the step by step process?

[TomWaltz]

there really isn't one. As soon as you are back on Monday, Archicad should recognize the PLP

[rob2218]

but....I'm still at a loss. What I have in my PC at home is a PLC file, isnt' it? or am I missing something here?
that's what I open when it asked me to "browse for a file". I'm opening up a PLC file.....or not?

See the confusion?

[Dennis Lee]

I think when you go back to the office on Monday, everything should be fine like Tom said. I assume the PLP is on the server, right?

Your PLC file, no matter which computer it is, is "signed in" to your PLP file at work (Unless you signed out, of course- hopefully not). As long as the network path is there, it will find it, and be able to "send and receive" changes, updating the PLP file.

I guess the only step you would need to follow is copy your PLC file from home to a computer at work, and then open. Hope that's clear.

[rob2218]

thanks Dennis,

I think I understand.
So, the only thing I will have to do is copy my PLC file to what location on the server? where is the PLC file held? is it in the same folder as the original PLP file (teamwork) file is located? if so, that's easy.

Another thing I noticed is that the PLC I'm working on asked me all the time to "log in" my password as the team leader I've set. is this typical?

thanks

What about the hotlinks? the module files? if I make changes to those then I suppose I'll have to replace the hotlink MOD files as well as any PLN file I revise at home???

[Dennis Lee]

rob2218 wrote:
So, the only thing I will have to do is copy my PLC file to what location on the server? where is the PLC file held? is it in the same folder as the original PLP file (teamwork) file is located? if so, that's easy.

Well, it depends on your preference, but some people like to keep the PLC files on the local workstations. As long as there is a network path to the PLP file available, it doesn't matter which computer or server you keep the PLC file on.

rob2218 wrote:
Another thing I noticed is that the PLC I'm working on asked me all the time to "log in" my password as the team leader I've set. is this typical?

I believe so.

rob2218 wrote:
What about the hotlinks? the module files? if I make changes to those then I suppose I'll have to replace the hotlink MOD files as well as any PLN file I revise at home???

Yeap.

[TomWaltz]

the PLC just saves your work. When you go back on Monday, you will need to "Send & Receive" in order for the changes to be applied to the PLP.

[rob2218]

thanks Tom.
So...again..I'm just not getting "IT" completely.
1. In what folder do copy the PLC file I did this weekend onto the server?C:/drive/ H:/drive (server folder where the PLP file) or in the same folder where the PLP resides on the network drive?

2. So, once I have the PLC file copied where it needs to be (which ever folder that is from question no.1), then what do i do from there? do I simply "sign in" to my teamworks file (PLP file), and hit the "send/recived changes" ? By doing this, will the program sort out and find the PLC file (no matter where it is on either my hardrive C:/drive or the network drive)

3. or do I actually attempt to "open" the PLC file and go from there?

4. Also, I did not realize that I need to do a "save as" to a PLC file format when taking my file home to work on it. Luckily we had a guy at the office tell me that i had to do that.....if not I would've simply taken the PLP file so at least I saved to the correct format for taking work home.

See, it's a bit confusing as to how exactly does this "teamwork" function work for a first timer. it's a great feature.....just a bit of getting used to at first.

thanks.

[Dennis Lee]

Here are the steps I take:

1. Sign In to PLP
2. Save as PLC
3. Copy PLC to whatever media to take home
4. Copy PLC from media to home computer
5. Open PLC file, and just cancel when it is asking for where the PLP file is. Ignore the warning about the possibility of not being able to Send & Receive later.
6. Work on the PLC file on home computer
7. I can even save several versions of PLC with different names
8. Copy back to media
9. Bring the media to work
10. Copy to C: drive or H: drive (It doesn't matter - for me I just keep it on the H: drive because I only have 2 people in my office. Your server folder may get more complicated if you have many people store all of their PLC files on the server though.)
11. Open the PLC file
12. Goto Teamwork, and press "Send and Receive"
13. Keep working on PLC (unless somebody else needs to sign in to the PLP file as well, or change the workspace.)
14. Send and Receive
15. Save PLC
16. Close PLC
17. Go to Lunch or home, and come back
18. Repeat 11 - 17 until project is done. (Unless someone else needs to sign in to the PLP file and work on the workspace that you are signed into, in which case you need to sign out and repeat from step 1.)

Notice that I have never "signed out" after I signed into the PLP in step 1. That means that the PLC file thinks that it is still signed in to the PLP file throughout the whole process, until you "sign out". This is true even if you change name of the PLC file, and move it from computer to computer. When you are signed in, the connection to PLP is not necessary, except when you want to do the "Send and Receive".

I'm reading the GDL cookbook these days, so please excuse the programming kind of feel to my post.

[TomWaltz]

rob2218 wrote:
1. In what folder do copy the PLC file I did this weekend onto the server?C:/drive/ H:/drive (server folder where the PLP file) or in the same folder where the PLP resides on the network drive?

It doesn't matter. The PLCs can go anywhere. The location of the PLP is what's important.

Think of the PLC as your laptop and the PLP as your server. If you connect the laptop to any open port in the office, it will find the server.

2. So, once I have the PLC file copied where it needs to be (which ever folder that is from question no.1), then what do i do from there? do I simply "sign in" to my teamworks file (PLP file), and hit the "send/recive changes" ? By doing this, will the program sort out and find the PLC file (no matter where it is on either my hardrive C:/drive or the network drive)

Open the PLC file (File > Open) in Archicad. Once the file is open, Archicad should find the PLP on its own. Then click Teamwork > Send & Receive Changes.

If you tried to sign in to the PLP file, Archicad would warn you that you're already signed in. If you tell it you want to sign in anyway, you would invalidate your previous sign in, wiping out your ability to Send & Receive from the PLC.

3. or do I actually attempt to "open" the PLC file and go from there?

Yes. It's not "Magic Cad". You do have to open the PLC in Archicad before you can send the changes back to the PLP 😉

4. Also, I did not realize that I need to do a "save as" to a PLC file format when taking my file home to work on it. Luckily we had a guy at the office tell me that i had to do that.....if not I would've simply taken the PLP file so at least I saved to the correct format for taking work home.

That could have been a problem. When you sign into a teamworked project, if you click Save, Archicad should default to saving as a PLC. If you saved to a PLN accidentally, you'd be screwed because you would not be able to Send/Receive your changes.