File Management Issues - D-Tools Forum

David_Haddad · 05-22-2009, 09:22 AM

I have always been frustrated by my inability to perform what I consider to be basic file management tasks in D-Tools. Perhaps there are a way to do these things and my lack of understanding is to blame.

1. Let's suppose I want to add some files to a project folder. So I check out a drawing. Now I click "add a file to this project" and do so. Now that file is added to my local projects folder. But when I check the file in, it never checks that file back on to the server. Why not? How do I add a file so that it is available to everyone?

2. Now let's suppose I want to delete some of the files I have added. NOT archive the entire project, just delete a couple of the files in it? How would I do that? I can do it manually in Windows Explorer, but then D-Tools still shows them like they are there.

3. The most important thing for me is just to be able to regularly do a save as and back up a file. I like to constantly save files at various points. AND I then want those files to check back in (see # 1 above). I have come up with jury rigs for this but is there an easy way to save a drawing as 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 etc? Is there a quick/easy way to do that? Please note, I do not want to have a ton of revisions, my concern is simply routinely backing up my drawings and dtl file.

4. I have also tried the copy project command. Is this broken? The project copies, but then I cannot see any of the files from within D-Tools, even though they are there in Windows Explorer.

Thank You

David_Haddad · 05-27-2009, 05:20 PM

bump

05-28-2009, 06:04 PM

Although this may not have been true in the past, file management is really something that should be left to the application. Strictly speaking...there is no real use case where you should have to move or manipulate any D-Tools file using Windows Explorer. My responses are in line with your questions\suggestions below...

1. This should work. If the files that you are adding to the projects are not getting checked in to the server and made available to the other users then I would say that something is wrong in your configuration. I suggest that you contact support and have them take a look at it for you.

2. To remove a file that you have added to a project you just need to check the project out and then right click on the file you would like to remove and select "Delete". Then check the project back in for the change to be registered with the server.

3. What is your true intention here? Is it to be sure that you have a backup of the files in case something happens to your machine or is it so that you can restore a project\drawing to a specific point?

If your intention is to simply be able to restore a project to a specific point in time then thats what revisions are for. Renaming the project or doing a save as is going to do nothing but give you grief. With Revisions you can restore the project and all associated files to a specific point in time. You can also rename them and give a brief description.

If your intention is to backup the file in case your machine dies then saving multiple files isn't really achieving what you want. Your best bet in this case is just to be sure that you hit "Save" as often as possible and "check in" the project when you are done with it. Then if something happens to your machine you only stand to lose the work you have done since the last "check in". To be double sure you can also use the built in utility to backup your server and that will cover you in the case of a server failiure.

4. This is a known issue that will be resolved in a future service pack. See this link for more information on how to work around this problem: http://www.support.d-toolsblog.com/s...drawing-files/

Hope this helps...good luck.

David_Haddad · 05-29-2009, 05:52 AM

Originally Posted by ManUnitedFan

Although this may not have been true in the past, file management is really something that should be left to the application.

Well, if I can get it to work the way I would like, then I will agree

.

Quote:

1. This should work. If the files that you are adding to the projects are not getting checked in to the server and made available to the other users then I would say that something is wrong in your configuration. I suggest that you contact support and have them take a look at it for you.

Yes, it sounds like I need to talk with support with this.

Quote:

2. To remove a file that you have added to a project you just need to check the project out and then right click on the file you would like to remove and select "Delete". Then check the project back in for the change to be registered with the server.

Duh (insert embarrassed emoticon here). I rarely go to the project details tab, i was trying to do it from the project grid tab.

Quote:

3. What is your true intention here? Is it to be sure that you have a backup of the files in case something happens to your machine or is it so that you can restore a project\drawing to a specific point?

If your intention is to simply be able to restore a project to a specific point in time then thats what revisions are for. Renaming the project or doing a save as is going to do nothing but give you grief.

Not if it worked the way I want it to it wouldn't

. I only like to save revisions for when i really want one, i.e. to compare different versions that have been submitted to customers. If I use a revision every single time I want to just backup, than I end up with a clusterf*ck of 25 different revisions when what I might really want are two revisions with 23 backups if that makes sense. My main concern is when something might become corrupted. I have had times where the practice of doing frequent saves such as 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 etc. has saved me a lot of wasted time. Sometimes you aren't aware of the corruption for a while. Being able to go back through the days different versions allows you to find the file before it happened.

Nevertheless, i will reevaluate my practice based on your recommendation and appreciate your assistance. Thank You

David_Haddad · 05-29-2009, 07:03 PM

OK, after further review I see how the files are being maintained on the server, and if I am interpreting since all data is stored in the dtl file I really should not have to worry (knock on wood) about the drawing itself becoming corrupted. So I think I will follow your advice and just use revisions and perhaps just give the ones that relate to actual change numbers a descriptive name. Thanks much ManUnitedFan!