Sheetset : Moving the .dst file

[cyberflow]

Hi,

I actually started a DST file in another project folder that doesnt concern the drawings.

All the drawings (Or sheets) are in the good directory.

But the DST isn't in the good directory.

I tryed copying the dst, but at the end i get a msg that the link isn't ok.

So how can i move the DST with out reimporting and checking if all my sheets are ok with this change ?

[Edwin.Saez]

@cyberflow,

There should be no problems with the dst, if all dwg have been linked from the beginning in the same sheetset.

[cyberflow]

Ok, let me explain you again how it's configured :

the DST is placed in the folder A

But the DST must be in the folder B

So i moved the DST in the folder B

But all files point to the DST in folder A that i've deleted.


And it doesn't work if i open one of the DWG without passing thru the sheetset 
It gives me an error that its not linked

[leothebuilder]

My experience is that you can't move the .dst file.

It is best to create a new sheet set and make sure it points to the correct folder.

[Edwin.Saez]

@cyberflow,

Try changing the route from here.

[cyberflow]

There's maybe someone who has a solution on the forum, hopefully.

I dont want to redo all the workd one.

[cyberflow]

@Edwin.Saez : It's not that the problem. 

[Cadologist]

Potential solution but first off, run the ARCHIVE on the Sheet Set (via the Sheet Set Manager, by right-clicking on the DST file in the SSM and selecting 'archive'.

Moving DST files can be a pain but it is doable with a bit of extra effort. If the DST file is the only file that needs to be relocated, first ensure everyone on the project team is out of any of the SSM linked drawings.  Close down AutoCAD.

• Move the DST to the folder to the correct folder (in your example: Folder B)
• Double-click to open the DST file (Windows Explorer) or via the SSM once you reopen AutoCAD
• You will likely see the SSM going crazy with RED question marks coming and going on each existing drawing
• If you hover over an existing drawing, it will say "Status - Found in a different location - accessible".
• The "Found Location" for each existing drawing may be under your user profile (C:\users\<login_name> or some other temp folder).
• To correct this, simply right-click on each drawing and select PROPERTIES
• Under EXPECTED LAYOUT you will see the original location (in your example: Folder A), however under FOUND LAYOUT you will see a different path to a user profile/temp folder.
• Once you re-path the drawing to the original location (Folder A), the RED question mark will be gone and the status will Status: Available.

This is one option, there may be other 3rd party apps or other workflows that would work. I tested this here and the above resolved the issue outright. The DST was located under Folder B while the drawings were retained to Folder A.

Ensure all subsets are pathed correctly and you may need to confirm a few other references/pathing instances but this is a solution.

FYI - I have only had to move a couple sheet sets so there may be alternative workflows that also work and may be quicker.  Good luck....!

[cyberflow]

@Cadologist : 
Wow super post you just wrote !

Just to be sure that i've explained correctly the problematic.
Sometimes my english and terminolgy isn't on point.

The drawings aren't moving, it's only the DST that is moving.

Folders : 
Project A -­> Contains DST in wrong folder

Project B -> Must contain the DST (Correct folder)

Sub folder of "Project B" :

Folder C -> Contains sheets (or drawings) that 

So technically, the drawings aren't moving, simply the DST.

If what you propose @Cadologist, it means that passing thru the "Properties" of each sheet will "update" the file path of the DST in the drawing ?
Therefore i must repeat the same in each drawing ?

Thanx for your time.

Would be nice that Autodesk modify the user interface on this 🙂

[cyberflow]

Ok i get it, i think i this point i need to say to the drawing to delete it's association with the old DST location and then i go into properties ?

Sorry it's in french :
Supprimer = Delete association

Ignorer = Ignore  lost association

[Cadologist · Accepted solution]

Here I will provide full instructions with screenshots below. I missed a couple steps in my previous reply, my apologies.....

Step 1 - Close AutoCAD and ensure no staff have any of the sheet set drawings open.

Step 2 - Create an ARCHIVE of the existing Sheet Set by Right-Clicking on the DST file in the Sheet Set Manager and selecting Archive

Step 3 - Move the dst file from Folder A into Folder B

Step 4 - Extract the archive ZIP file and copy the extracted DST file into Folder B and OVERRIDE the existing DST file. This step MUST be completed otherwise the drawings will not be importable.

Step 5 - Open AutoCAD and Open the SheetSet/DST file in the Sheet Set Manager.

Step 6 - Right-Click on the DST file and select Properties

Step 7 - In the Sheet Set Properties dialog box, under Sheet Creation the Sheet Storage Location, click the Browse button.

Step 8 - Ensure the path is set to the location where your existing drawings reside, in this example it should be set to Folder A.

Step 9 - In the Sheet Set Manager - Apply Changes to Nested Subsets dialog box, select Apply changes to nested subsets.

Step 10 - Right-Click on the first drawing, in this example 1-1 and select Properties.

Step 11 - In the Properties dialog box, you will notice that the drawing has a different FOUND and EXPECTED file path. Since the drawings did not get moved, these paths should BOTH say Folder A.

Step 12 - Update the EXPECTED LAYOUT file pathing from Folder B (incorrect) to Folder A (correct). Click the Browse button.

Step 13 - In the Import Layout as Sheet dialog box, select Browse for drawings and re-path this drawing back to Folder A.

Step 14 - Click the checkbox for Drawing Name (red arrow) and click Import Checked

Step 15 - Repeat for all existing drawings contained within the sheet set. Make sure the FOUND and EXPECTED layouts under each sheet's properties match (in this example they both should say Folder A).

Other information

• Any sheet set data (fielded attributes) are retained, you will not lose any data that you have entered into each sheet via the SSM.
• Suggestion: create another archive (as backup) after you have fixed all the broken links due to the dst move.

[leothebuilder]

In essence this is like creating a new sheet set.

I would just create a new sheet set using the existing drawings option.

Takes all of 60 seconds.

[Cadologist]

True, that is another option and great point, however no user entered data into each sheet (via the Sheet Set Manager is retained). The DST file stores each sheet's information (fielded attributes) so all that data would have to be reentered manually. Creating a sheet set using existing drawings will remove all that data requiring a user to re-enter.

I agree, if the project has little to no fielded attribute information, using the existing drawings option is a perfect alternative.

From what I have setup and my experience with project sheet sets, it's a complete pain to have to and re-enter all the sheet data manually.  Most of the sheet sets I have worked with have extensive custom sheet and custom sheet set fielded attributes which populate title block information. You can somewhat automate it with software such as JTBWorld's SSMPropEditor which allows you to export the data to Excel but there are workarounds still required that way to copy/paste the existing sheet data into a completely new sheet set.

I guess it truly depends on how extensive the sheet set is at the time the DST file required a move.

[cyberflow]

For sure il'l keep you posted

Got other rushe's this week at work but will do this for sure

[leothebuilder]

I agree, it does depend on the situation.

I keep the fields to a minimum, just a drawing number and drawing title.

All other information is static withing the title block.

If you have many fields, there is the option to covert these to text before creating the new sheet sheet.

That would eliminate re-creating all the fields.

[Edwin.Saez]

@Cadologist,

I agree with you, the idea is to have a defined structure for the drawings and the sheetset, and so copying them to each project they start and adding the sheets as necessary.
If you want another porfa to create that structure faster, you can use the Sheetset Creator from JTB, this helps a lot.

[cyberflow]

@Cadologist : Solution doesnt seem to work always.
The drawing doesnt link to the moved DST file.

And if i try to delete the link and re-import the DWG, the links in each field are lost.

So, i left it like that and put a windows schorcut to the Folder A DST file.

I spent an hour today trying but i can't give more time have other rushe's on my desk.

The Sheetset interface isn't that user friendly.

I'm even surprised there's no apps for autocad on that.

[Edwin.Saez]

@cyberflow,

I've worked for much of the way he explained @Cadologist, and there was no problem whatsoever, and if there were any, he solved it as he describes it.
Sometimes the dst has become corrupt, but it solved copying a dst of another project that worked well, cleaned everything and was adding the sheet.
If you give yourself some time you should upload a video of the process you do and be able to see your way of working and the moment you get the errors, since as I said, the workflow with the sheets helps a lot, and more Even when working in a company.

[Cadologist]

It might just become a 'lessons learning' type scenario at that point..... as you said you provided the shortcut link within the project folders, for that specific project and effort to expel to remedy, perhaps the best option.

I did test out again here this afternoon the solution I provided and as long as the archived DST was copied (override) the existing 'moved' dst the fields and drawing information in the SSM was not lost.

I agree, its unfortunate that there isn't a more official 'tool' to relocate sheet sets. My replies in this post are based on my personal experience what I have had previous success with in this regard.

[Edwin.Saez]

@Cadologist,

If there is luis, it is not official but it is an external tool of JTB, I use it to move lists of plans from one dst to another.

I send the link so you can review it. http://jtbworld.com/jtb-dst-tool