BIM 360 Needs a Check-out function not a lock.

[david.manningXME8A]

There is a fundamental flaw in the way BIM 360 Docs and Desktop connector manages file editing by a basic lock. I believe that Plant 3D and maybe Revit have this figured out properly, and I can't really speak for Revit. 

It is good to be able to lock a file to prevent someone adding a version while I am working on it. But if they have opened it, while I am working on it, and made changes as well. If I save the file and it is synced to BIM 360, then the lock is remove lock is removed. There is nothing preventing the other user form saving their work over mine. 

In a checkout system like in Plant 3D unless a user 'checks out a file the user receives a copy that is a read-only version, set in the file meta data properties. The same workflow could work in BIM 360 as the locking feature. The only required difference is that a file living in BIM 360 has the metadata set to read only unless it is checked-out in which case it should be locked to the user. Anyone else who downloads a copy of the file should be able to but it should still be marked Read only. 

Current situation Example:

User A: Opens a drawing (BIM 360) in Civil 3D. BIM 360 Locks the file.

User B: Open the same drawing in AutoCAD (no prompt or warning given). At this point if this user saves any changes (they can make changes) BIM 360 will reject them because the file is locked.

User A: Saves and closes the file. Changes are synced and BIM 360 removes the lock.

User B: Now saves their changes. The drawing is synced and their changes overwrite the previous version effectively removing the changes User A has made.

Recommended situation Example:

User A: Opens a drawing (BIM 360) in Civil 3D. BIM 360 checks out the file to that user (same as the current locking feature), and removed the read-only property on their copy of the file (part of the download and sync procedure).

User B: Opens the same drawing in AutoCAD. The file is downloaded or synced as a read only, therefore AutoCAD prompts the user that it is a read-only drawing.  The user is prevented from making changes locally as well as in BIM 360.

User A: Saves and closes the file. Changes are synced and BIM 360 removes the check-out (a.k.a. File check-in). The local file is marked read only and BIM 360 is updated.  

User B: Has no changes to be saved because the file was read only. Design time loss saved. 

Similar posts that appears to be not getting any attention:

Set autocad file Read Only when editing

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/bim-360-ideas/set-autocad-file-read-only-when-editing/idc-p/10448810#...

Only unlock files manualy

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/bim-360-ideas/only-unlock-files-manualy/idc-p/10448811#M14618

Vault Behavior for Desktop Connector

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/bim-360-ideas/vault-behavior-for-desktop-connector/idc-p/10448813#M14...

[PaulFrancoisStorm]

I agree with the above.

[shaun.r.clough]

Hi David, looks like this one is solved, provided you have the File Locking for BIM 360 installed (File Locking for Autodesk® BIM 360® | AutoCAD | Autodesk App Store) and the latest Desktop Connector (Using 14.11 currently).

I opened a Civil 3D drawing from BIM 360 as you stated in your example (pic1).  I then tried to open the same drawing from AutoCAD and was presented with the Read-Only message that I would expect if this project was on a network share (pic2)

[MachielAEC]

@shaun.r.clough we've been using this app, but this should be integrated into the desktop connector as a default application or the various Autodesk Products as we've found this little app doesn't get installed when users are working from home or getting a new machine and that is causing issues.

[david.manningXME8A]

Thank you both for contributing to this discussion. 

@shaun.r.clough I think the only reason that you are getting the read only state is because you are opening the drawing on the same machine. In this case AutoCAD is seeing the drawing lock file.  If another user tries to edit the same file via desktop connector they will not receive the same notice. After you close the drawing (and AutoCAD unlocks it) the second user will be able to save their edits over yours, making yours effectively disappear. 

I expect that this could be included in the APP or desktop connector, or a system variable in AutoCAD.

[shaun.r.clough]

@MachielAEC , I have heard that File Locking is built into AutoCAD 2022 and beyond, however I have not been able to test this.

@david.manningXME8A I ran the same test on another computer with another BIM 360 account and although I did not receive the warning message, the drawing opened in AutoCAD as read only with a lock icon next to the drawing number tab.  Also in the ACC Docs website the drawing has the lock appearing and this showed up in desktop connector on both computers.  Functionally this appears to be working as it should.  I have AutoCAD 2020.1.4 installed with the File Locking for BIM 360 2.2 and DTC 14.11.

[david.manningXME8A]

@shaun.r.clough , thank you so much for the lively chat here.  I was finally able to see it your way in a test today with a colleague. 

It is unclear to me if the Update 2022.1 has anything to do with it but I was on 2022 and the other person on 2022.1 and we could not fault it. It was even better than I expected when opening a locked drawing (similar to your warning) it tells me who has it locked and when they locked it. I was not able to get it to overwrite the file accidentally. I could have managed it with a deliberate workaround, but I'd call that an 'option'. For when it is needed. 

Thanks again to the Autodesk team for working with me on this. This idea can be archived or better marked as accepted and delivered.