What is the difference between linking from Autodesk Docs and using the External Reference - BIM 360

[Pshupe]

I have a client that is asking why his links are not appearing in his cloud shared model.  He is using Revit 2020 and BIM 360.  He opens the model from the Home screen lower left - BIM 360 accounts - 

He can open the file from here.  When he opens the files he gets a warning that the links are not loaded.  When he goes to Manage Links and tries to reload, he has no option under the External References - BIM 360.  He cannot locate this path.  He can however navigate through Autodesk Docs to the location where he could link those files.  The questions are -

1. Should he just reload from Autodesk Docs?

2. Why can he not see anything under the External Reference - BIM 360 location?

3.  What is the difference between those two locations?

Here is a screen cap of the two options, which give different results.  

 Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

Regards Peter.

[MachielAEC]

Are the files Collaborated/ Workshared files?

external references pops-up only then.

if it’s just a ‘saved to cloud’ model then it won’t do the same.

[Pshupe]

Yes it is a collaborated cloud shared model. The links are also collaborated cloud shared models. Nothing shows up in External references. Not even the folder structure. 

thanks

Regards Peter. 

[MachielAEC]

Is Design Collaboration enabled on the project?
If the setup is correct I would then recommend that you log a support ticket with your local reseller so they do a call to assist.

[Pshupe]

Is design collaboration enabled on the project?  Yes, yes it is.  I mentioned that it is just the links that are lost and not showing up.  The client has no issue opening the "cloud shared design collaboration enabled" project.  

I am a rep for the local reseller.  I am not a BIM 360 / ACC expert and trying to help him out before I log a ticket with Autodesk.  My side question is the difference between Autodesk Docs and External References > Bim 360?

Regards Peter.

[auburn]

I actually just came across the same issue with a project showing linked filed paths to Autodesk Docs and BIM360, what's the difference and does it matter? The links don't appear to be loading and I want to know this too, thanks!

[almeidaandre]

In my workflow here I realize that for Revit 2020,2021 use EXTERNAL RESOURCE > BIM 360

and for 2022 use EXTERNAL RESOURCE > AUTODESK DOCS.

[auburn]

Thanks for the clarification! It's weird I am working on a 2020 project and see both Autodesk Docs and BIM360 links in the model....

[marta.yubero-abad]

This is also happening to us, we work in rvt20,21,22 and 23 right now.
The strange thing is that in some projects some links (on the same folder) are visible through the external references and other don't, while if we use autodesk Docs evrything is perfect. Are we doing something wrong?

[HARSHUL_S]

I believe this article should help and close this discussion. 

Difference between External Resource and Desktop Connector, when linking cloud models in Revit.