Dropbox and AutoCAD

[moua.thao]

Does anyone have experience using dropbox to store all of their AutoCAD files amongst multiple users?

I know there is a Dropbox add in to full AutoCAD 2018, however, I don't believe there are notifications when another user accesses the same file.  We can easily overwrite each other in Dropbox.

(ps, I understand I should be using Autodesk 360, but mgt. wants all in Dropbox).

Thanks much all.

[jggerth]

So Mgt is comfortable keeping all their IP and business critical/confidential design information on someone elses equipment, under someone else's control, with zero auditability, zero accountability, and zero reason to think it's safe?      interesting.

[pendean · Accepted solution]

You cannot use DropBox like a physical server with AutoCAD: more than one person can have a single DWG file open and the last one that saves overwrites all other versions. Sounds like a great fun time for everyone, doesn't it.

AutoCAD to date does not play well with online file sharing services with teams.

[dgorsman]

Most true document management systems (not simple file sharing systems) include a back-end which automatically checks out a copy of the file to a local working locations, and sets a flag in the system to indicate the file is with someone.  Saving and/or closing will automatically update the online copy, and clear the flag.

You'll need to implement a similar procedure.  This can be done manually, or you could implement some relatively simple automation to do it.

[moua.thao]

Thank you for all the answers.  Looks like I'll have to put on my persuasion cap, or find a work around.

@dgorsman can you clarify what steps and how to do that with Dropbox?  Or were you speaking to a suggestion which you have not explicitly done with Dropbox per se?

The link below doesn't seem to give any clues as to be able to do what you suggested.

https://www.dropbox.com/help/syncing-uploads/conflicted-copy

[dgorsman]

Not much clarification needed.  Rather than working directly on a DWG file in a folder linked to a cloud-based system, you copy the file to a working folder which is not linked, and work on it there.  When done you move it back, overwriting the original and re=synch with the cloud storage. 

I've done that with some client online EDMS systems which didn't have any kind of automated check in/out system.  It's a bit tedious, especially if you have to manually set some kind of flag (e.g. updating an Excel workbook), which why some automation would be useful.  It doesn't even have to be complicated - just something to copy/overwrite files in a structured fashion, and indicate to others that the file is in use.

[moua.thao · Accepted solution]

Oh, right, we have plenty of manual workarounds in place.  I wanted to avoid that if possible is why I'm posting.  I guess it's no luck for me.

[FancyParsley]

We have been using Autocad and Dropbox for almost 5 years.  Its an 8 person office and its works fine for the most part.  If the same file is opened and saved by two different people, it creates a duplicate file with time stamp. Given how our office works, this hasn't been a huge issue bc people are working on separate projects so the overlap is minimized.  The issue we have been having all of a sudden though, is the CTB file stops pathing to each station for no reason. I think its a Dropbox/Windows issue with the length of the path exceeding the allowable character count.  We'vew moved it higher up the folder structure to minimize the issue, but it persists. If anyone has input on this, it would greatly appreciated.  

[RobDraw]

Different issue should have it's own thread so that the solution can be marked.

[s.borello]

That's about as good as an idea as running Revit with parallels!   (A decision made by management at my firm).  It took me two years of convincing them it wasn't the right decision.  Good luck to you! 

[pendean]

Known issue, no resolution, AutoCAD 2020 and lower still do not address cloud services issues, they are tailored to physical 'old school' servers to date.

You might get more traction finding a DropBox user forum to ask for options to explore.

[tlariviereJXRFD]

This might help.  When the character length is too long I map a drive to the folder. Instead of C:/.../.../.../.../.../folder you can have P:/folder.  Then you use the mapped drive as the location for your file. Hope that is helpful.

[vecta_structral]

Hi Sir,

What then is your recommended solution to resolve this issue?

We would like to get a server but we want it virtual but not physical one which serves our colleagues in different localities. 

[pendean]

>>>...What then is your recommended solution to resolve this issue?...<<<
Nothing yet, AutoCAD still does not do what you wish with loud services without limitations, read this overview https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-forum/sharepoint-based-support-files-lessons-learned/m-p/9761...

[LucasWassam]

I ended up here looking for a solution to the same problem you are having. Did you ever find one?