Multi users project & project setup

[Dany.Beland]

We are working on a large project with about 20 persons, in different office, doing different task (P&ID, 3D piping, structural, GAs, etc.). And we have a big issue when we need to go in the project setup, as we can't if there is anyone with a file opened. Also even if a file is opened in an other software (i.e. an Advance Steel structure opened in ADS), it locks the project setup.

It's really hard to keep track and get everyone to stop and close everything they are working on for us to go in the project setup to do a simple modification. We can't even rely on doing it after working hours if someone forgot to close a file or simply forgot to close P3D with the project opened.

Is there a way to setup AutoCAD Plant to work seamlessly for multi-users over different offices?

We are using AutoCAD Plant 2016 and the current setup is SQL lite as we haven't had any database issue and we've been told that SQL server won't improve our project setup issue.

Would using vault solve this problem?

Thanks

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Dany Béland

[dave.wolfe · Accepted solution]

Yes. Vault helps the lockout issue, and other security concerns. For Multiple offices it's especially helpful.

[ryan.bales · Accepted solution]

I agree with Dave, it will help your lockout issue as users have to intenitally checkout drawings and check in drawings.

But you really should be on SQL server with twenty users! Of course going to Vault would mean you would be on SQL Server anyway.

[jabowabo]

Vault may solve this problem but be aware that it may introduce others. It will require a very different workflow for your users and administrator(s) and has its own quirks and posible bugs. I'd recommend testing thoroughly before committing.

[ryan.bales]

Agreed!

[HomeBrewski]

Does anyone have any good resources on how to set this up? Our office is currently going through the same difficulty, and we have no clue how to use SQL servers or AutoCAD Vault... Right now, we're just running on an office network.

[TomislavGolubovic]

Do you want to use the Cloud?

[Dany.Beland]

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@HomeBrewski wrote:

Does anyone have any good resources on how to set this up? Our office is currently going through the same difficulty, and we have no clue how to use SQL servers or AutoCAD Vault... Right now, we're just running on an office network.

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If you don't have access to Vault nor know how to setup an SQL server, I recommend that you try to keep to a maximum of 4 person working on the project, this include people from other discipline that you may load their drawings as xref.

You'll need to be aware the current version of AutoCAD Plant 3D locks every files (xref include) when you generate ortho views.

Also very large files (like a large plant with all equipments, pipings, electrical trays, structure, etc...) can take a very long time to generate ortho views if you are trying to do a plan view of the plant.

I hope this will help.

[Dany.Beland]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Do you want to use the Cloud?

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Out of curiosity how would the cloud act different from working SQL Lite on the company network?

[ankurGCK9S]

We are small water treatment company with 2-3 CAD users. We like to implement AutoCAD P&ID in place of normal AutoCAD to draw P&IDs. for 3D modelling we are using Inventor .We have Vault Basic installed as well. Out design is small in nature and I don't think Plant 3D will be necessary . 

For multi user shall I  use 

1.  vault basic or SQL server
2. We are using share points and our all project we can access through share point. Is it viable to have project location on share point / sync with the local drive ?

There may be less chance that we have to work on same project at same time , however we also like to keep the symbol library etc consistent. What is the best approach to implement the AutoCAD P&ID.

[rajendra.prajapat]

@ankurGCK9S  i will prefer below two option;

1. vault 

2. Onedrive