VPN/FTP/Google Drive? Sharing files and not loosing links V8i

Hi,

I would like to know if anybody has a better method for sharing files and not loose the link between the references?

Currently, I'm using Google Drive. But when I copy from my local drive into google drive it looses the link between files so I have to reattach files again. I keep updating files on Google Drive and every time I have to reattach the files again even though they have the same name.

Can anyone tell me a better way like using VPN or FTP?

Thanks in advance!

  • Unknown said:
    When I copy from my local drive into google drive it looses the link between [reference] files

    Is your Google drive mapped to a drive letter?  Or, does it have a UNC name?

    If either is true, then define MicroStation configuration variable MS_RFDIR to include that folder.  That is, in one of your configuration files write:

    MS_RFDIR > V:/  # If V: is a mapped drive letter
    MS_RFDIR > //GoogleDrive/ # If GoogleDrive is a UNC name

     
    Regards, Jon Summers
    LA Solutions

  • Thanks for your reply Jon. I didn't quite get what you said above. We are sharing Google Drive, and its not mapped to a drive letter. How do you find out if it has a UNC name? Also where do I write those codes in msdir config file?
  • Hi Azamat,

    Unknown said:
    when I copy from my local drive into google drive it looses the link between files


    in my opinion your question can be split into several topics:

    How references work in MicroStation by default? There are plenty of discussions and wiki articles available on BE Communities, I recommend to read this one. The implemented systems ensures that if you copy the whole project structure to another location (different disk, different project folder), as long as relative locations of reference will be the same, MIcroStation will find them and attach without problem.

    Question: How do you copy the files and related folders so the paths are broken?

    How the default behaviour can be changed? This is really wide and complex topic, as Jon mentioned, MS_RFDIR variable is one important settings, but there are also other variables.

    Question: Is there any custom configuration used, so default behaviour is changed?

    What sharing workflow is required? Based on project or customer requirements, different workflows can be used. It can be e.g. full online cooperation, bi-directional exchange of selected files or one-direction publication of files to other team. Depending on the project requirements, the workflow should be designed and based on the chosen workflow it should be tested if MIcroStation default behaviour is acceptable or some modifications using configuration variables are required.

    Question: What do you want to achieve and in what mode do you want / need to share the files?

    Unknown said:
    Can anyone tell me a better way like using VPN or FTP?


    Without more information it's hard to say. But you are mixing very different technolgies: Google Drive is file storage cloud service (equal to Dropbox or OneDrive), VPN is general name for virtual private networks, that can be created using different solutions and protocols, and FTP is old, obsolete and unsecure communication protocol.

    In my opinion there is nothing wrong with Google Drive, but with the way how the files are copied and shared. If this assumption is true, it cannot be repaired by changing sharing platform.

    With regards,

      Jan

  • Unknown said:
    In my opinion there is nothing wrong with Google Drive, but with the way how the files are copied and shared. If this assumption is true, it cannot be repaired by changing sharing platform.

    I would concur.  I use both dropbox and google drive however they are mapped as local drives via their respective applications.  

    I've never had much success trying to use the shared links directly (with any application).  Its problematic because there is no directory structure therefore you can use search paths.

  • Hi Jan,

    Thanks for your response.

    I have not changed anything in the custom configuration.
    When it comes to copying and sharing files, I copy the files from ProjectWise and upload them in Google Drive. I have created the same structure as I have in ProjectWise (Base Folder, Roadway, etc..). When I place all the files in the same folder in Google Drive then it works but I don't want to have them in separate folders.

    My problem is I need to somehow find a way to create a structure like Projectwise when it comes to sharing files.

    Thanks for your time,

    Azamat