Small firm using Dropbox NOT BimCloud/Teamwork

[4hotshoes]

I am just starting to work with a small firm that has been getting by, sharing Archicad files via Dropbox. What are some problems that will crop up using a cloud service that are solved by using BimCloud (Basic or SAAS)? I am predicting that libraries will be the first problem, but I am not sure. What do you predict?

[Podolsky · Accepted solution]

The main problem using Dropbox is missing path for libraries and added files. It happens because on different computers paths to Dropbox folders on hard drive are different - let say using Windows and Mac. Also paths for publishing sets. So every time opening file, that was in use on another computer, you need to check and possibly re-link libraries and also check right path set in publisher before issuing drawings.
Another small problem - that two people on different computer can open the same file. But in that case you will get notification while opening file, that file is opened on another computer. Just ArchiCAD creates small text file when you open a PLN file (and deletes when you are closing file), that reads another computer before opening the same file. But sometimes, if system crashed, this notification file can stay - and you can get notification, that file is in use, when actually it isn’t.
But apart of that - all fine. I was working almost a year like that, before we decided to switch on BIM cloud.

[Noemi Balogh]

Hello,

I also suggest to read this article: https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/knowledgebase/95438/

You might already familiar with this behaviour of save, since many other programs can have similar results, but I hope you will find it useful.

Kind regards,
Noémi

[Miha Nahtigal]

We've been using cloud sync for ten+ years. Started with Dropbox, currently on Synology Cloudstation Drive.

There is an easy solution with libraries/projects having different source directory. You map your Dropbox/Onedrive/Synology folder or even subfolder to a new unused drive letter. Doing this with the same on every computer solves library paths problems (the same applies to hotlinks, modules,...).

There were indeed some problems saving larger projects with Dropbox. You should not save your project while sync of the same project is already in progress. An error pops up "Cannot save plan file". Everything works fine after sync completes previous save.

[Karl Ottenstein]

vuego wrote:
There is an easy solution with libraries/projects having different source directory. You map your Dropbox/Onedrive/Synology folder or even subfolder to a new unused drive letter. Doing this with the same on every computer solves library paths problems (the same applies to hotlinks, modules,...).

Easy if you are running Windows OS 🙂