Can you change the File Browser Dialog Box?

[dbriden]

Is there a way to change the user interface of C3D's File browser UI (e.g. Open, Save As, Insert, etc.)  The Favorites pane on the left side of the dialog box is absolutely worthless to me.  I would MUCH rather have a File Explorer Tree like Windows file Explorer uses.

BAD:

GOOD:

[cwr-pae]

Look under views to set the detailed list,  left click the blue area with the favorites and add the folders you need most to the this. Not a windows explorer type list, but more useful than the default folders.

[wfberry · Accepted solution]

If you like the Windows Explorer way, use it.   Thanks to Tim Corey, one of the good guys here, he taught some of us here, when necessary, just select the file in Windows Explorer and drag it to the top of your Civil 3D screen and WHAP it loads.

This is especially useful when you want the particular version to open up the file.

Bill

[Joe-Bouza]

Use Sheet Set Manager for project navigation. the model views tab can be customized to show project specific file paths. IMO make life a breeze

[dbriden]

This is not an elegant solution but it is a great solution for the Open command.  It can also be less useful in browsing for an xref.  You can copy the folder path from file explorer and put it in the file name and it will take you to that folder.  

I don't like the favorites because lots of projects come and go for me and they all follow a similar folder structure.  So if I add the "Design" folder from 10 different projects, I have to hover over each file to see what the file path is.  The windows file tree already has a Quick Access which is much more efficient for me to navigate where I want to go.

As we all know, speed is the name of the game in drafting.  I'm just trying to shave precious seconds in how I navigate to different files, and I feel like C3D could definitely improve in that regard.

[andrewpuller3811]

With regards to the places bar on the left side, you can rename the shortcuts you place in there -

Right click on a folder and select properties.

A dialogue will appear in which you can change the name of the shortcut.

I use this to rename the shortcuts we normally use as they are too long to appear on one line.

[Joe-Bouza]

Hi @wfberry No disrespect but I would strongly suggest not dragging and dropping files to open. I have seen too many users drag an drop entire folders to a different location. 

Out of curiosity I just tried this method and I missed the title bar and the file went to the bit bucket. Not in my recycle bin, I search the entire  server and my hard drive and it is nowhere to be found. Thankful for shadow copies.

I maintain using the saved places or my preference the SSM add a path

[cwr-pae]

I have a folder in favorites called jobs where i create short cuts to the jobs I work on, in sub folders based on clients if more than 2 or 3 jobs. I put that folder in the my places side bar for quick access. I also have the our main jobs, archived jobs, details, etc. server folders in the side bar. I can open most of the files I work in in 3 clicks or less.

[tcorey]

Hello @dbriden ,

You can drag and drop with your right mouse button pressed and held. When you drop it in AutoCAD, you'll get a menu that will offer to Create Xref. 

[Joe-Bouza]

I buy that 👍 Very similar in the SSM model tab . Drag and drop scare the cr@p out of me