topic Re: Google drive problem with AutoCAD files in AutoCAD Forum

Google drive problem with AutoCAD files

Anonymous — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 14:22:59 GMT

google drive problem..our autocad files keep missing and rename to atmp####..how to stop this from happen.

if we busy it happen more frequent. any solution that can fix it forever..

check with google drive support..they guarantee 1000 percent not google drive fault. they say autocad.

so now donno which is which...my problem still not solve.

solution pleaseee

Re: Google drive problem with AutoCAD files

john.vellek — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 14:35:23 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

Google Drive is cloud storage and is not a file server so there are some limitations on performance. You might be seeing some of these issues due to your network speed, latency, and packet loss.

When AutoCAD saves a file it actually goes through several steps including TMP files, BAK files and the actual DWG file(s). If you are working in the Google Drive desktop folder that is synced with the cloud copy, then some of the file actions might get broken.

I suggest that you work locally and then COPY the drawings to the sync folder. There are also some settings in the Advanced tab of your Google Drive preferences where you can adjust the Bandwidth Settings. Perhaps this might help to improve the sync behavior.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

Re: Google drive problem with AutoCAD files

pendean — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 14:35:57 GMT

So it this a sudden new problem?
Or did you just adopt Google Drive?
Or did you all just get new computers?
Change internet service providers?
Change something else?

Does this happen when someone saves a file? For example, SAVE command does this action:
Creates a TMP file
Deleted the BAK file
Renames the DWG to BAK
Renames the TMP to DWG

If you see TMP files, something it stopping the action.

There is no "atmp###" files created by the program in the file location by AutoCAD.

You also wrote: "...if we busy it happen more frequent..."
That means your web connection to Google Drive is choking to me.

Re: Google drive problem with AutoCAD files

john.vellek — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 21:56:22 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

I am checking back to see if my post helped you with your problem or if you need additional assistance or information. Please add a post with how you decide to proceed and your results so other Community members may benefit.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

Re: Google drive problem with AutoCAD files

BenCAD1212 — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 22:36:20 GMT

Is there any truth to this comment that google drive will no longer work for CAD files?

I see this user has posted a similar comment about google drive on at least one other thread about a similar subject.

We are also having issues with save###.tmp files and ATMP###.dwg files being created.

much confusion, and lost files, etc...

We have 3 users in 3 different geographic locations sharing CAD files with Google Drive.

Occasionally I need to open a CAD file just as soon as possible after another user saves and closes it.

I think I will try Sugarsync as it "syncs files in place" instead of having to place the files in the google drive container, you just save your files to a convenient location, and have sugarsync sync it from there. the user on the other end syncs it to his computer wherever he wants also.

Re: Google drive problem with AutoCAD files

john.vellek — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 23:14:21 GMT

HI @BenCAD1212,

I am personally unaware of any changes in the Google Drive service that will prohibit sync of CAD files. With that said, all the cloud services I am aware of have some issues with sync when the files are so large or the network pipe is less than optimum.

I have not heard of SugarSync but the method might work if there is a manual sync feature.

I actually like the option of having files "checked out" that some services provide. This ensures the file can be edited properly and then checked in without the fear that another user has already made editing modifications.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

Re: Google drive problem with AutoCAD files

BenCAD1212 — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 22:09:34 GMT

thanks rshulin.

What you are saying makes sense to me.

I keep referring to it as google drive, but I guess technically I updated to "backup and sync" from google drive a few months back when it became available.

I feel like we have been having far more issues since that switch from google drive to google backup and sync.

Re: Google drive problem with AutoCAD files

Anonymous — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 12:50:43 GMT

I have been having this problem for quite some time, but to be honest it's not really a big problem.

I can quite happily be working on a drawing which is in the sync folder, and every now and again I save the drawing, and it save OK and I then see the little Cloud Icon go into sync mode. The problem happens when I save the drawing at the same time the sync is in auto-sync mode running in the background. I get an error message telling me it was saved as a tmp file etc etc etc.

What I do if this is persistent is, I quite the Backup & Sync "not pause" (Right click on the little cloud) and I have a shortcut on my desktop to start the Sync again. Everyday I have an alarm go off on the PC at 16:30 to remind me to turn the Sync on before I head home. Then all work I have done is sync'd in one hit.

I only use the Google sync so I can work on drawings at home or in the office without using a flashdrive etc.

I don't think the above will help if you are sharing files between multiple live users etc?

I also can't see how Google can not sync dwg files? Or where would it stop? DXF RVP SKP ??? How does Google know its a "CAD" file? It can only be while you are working on the file while it's trying to auto sync I would imagine?

What if you renamed your dwg file to dwp? What would Google do then?

Re: Google drive problem with AutoCAD files

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 22:52:58 GMT

What happens if your computer crashes or power goes out at 4:25PM? Do you
lose your changes?

Re: Google drive problem with AutoCAD files

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 23:09:55 GMT

Yes, just like any other file that you haven't saved.

But! I constantly save the files as I'm working on it, so no, it won't be lost, the only bit that would be lost is the work you've done since your last save. Unless it corrupts the file that is.

I only turn off the Sync to Google backup, I don't turn off my common sense to constantly save as I'm working.

But on the "sync problem" thing, for the last 2 days, I have been constantly saving my work while the Sync was active, and not once in the last 2 days have I got an error message or tmp file created. And I save my work every 4-5 mins on average "Ctrl S" is an involuntary action with me.

So I don't know if I have just been uber lucky, or Google Sync has been resolved somehow?

Re: Google drive problem with AutoCAD files

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 10:30:53 GMT

Its seems rshulin has deleted his account overnight after I replied to his post???

But I can confirm I think this Google Backup-Sync issue has been resolved I as mentioned last night.

I am constantly "every couple of seconds" saving a drawing with Sync running. I am deliberately trying to force an error, but it doesn't. It just syncs like any other file.

So now I don't need to turn off Sync while I'm working. I assume it was a Goggle fix as Iv'e not updated the PC or AutoCAD for quite sometime.

Re: Google drive problem with AutoCAD files

john.vellek — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 15:58:53 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

Thanks for the information. While there will always be the possible sync issue with any off-site solution, it does sound like this Google Sync is working for your process.

Can you share the type of Internet connection you utilize and the typical size and number of files that you utilize in your typical workflow? Also, are you collaborating on any of these files or do you work alone? Most issues I see with Cloud storage/sync arise when more than one user is involved in trying to access files.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

Re: Google drive problem with AutoCAD files

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 16:48:24 GMT

Hi John,

I have high Speed 80Mbps fibre broadband at both home and in the office. The files sizes I work with are typically between 1Mb & 5Mb for the dwg files. I only work on one open drawing at a time. I have more open for reference but they typically don't get saved.

I don't collaborate any of my files, it is just a way for me to have up to date drawings in two places at the same time.

I can see how there could be issues file sharing with multiple users all at once. But I think this would only be a problem if they accessed them at the same time. Working on them and saving them interdependently would be fine, as that's what I am doing in reality.

If there were multiple users at the same time, I don't think the problem would be the sync, I think it would be the open drawing on the PC suddenly being updated from another source while it's still open on the PC. I don't know how that would work out? Or would AutoCAD think it's just a saved file and reloads/Refreshes it???

Re: Google drive problem with AutoCAD files

dgorsman — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 17:49:36 GMT

Usually what happens in these cases is "last one out wins". Since AutoCAD files aren't built with simultaneous access in mind and the various cloud-based systems aren't designed to lock files like a standard file system would, the solution would be to not use it like a standard file system. Instead, use it like one of the more purpose-built document management systems where files are checked out for write, then checked in when closed. This can be done with standard AutoCAD (LT would require some manual tasks, or a BAT/external EXE) with a bit of coding and slight change in work procedures i.e. you won't use the standard OPEN to open the file directly from the cloud interface.

Re: Google drive problem with AutoCAD files

CADbloke — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 22:53:43 GMT

AutoCAD's lack of file-lock checking during the saving process (as described earlier in this thread) has been around since ... AutoCAD. I have seen threads from 2006 and earlier about this. This problem also manifests on network drives with long latency, when AutoCAD goes to rename the "atmp###" file it initially wrote, it (apparently) doesn't check whether it actually has permission to do so, it just assumes it does and also assumes it always works. As you have seen, sometimes it doesn't.

Blaming Dropbox, Google drive et al is a buck-pass since this never seems to happen in Excel, Word, every other application. Just AutoCAD. A simple mutex lock could solve this, or at least a wait with a timeout and then inform the user. Silent failure is a mortal programming sin, especially when it involves losing all of your work.