A slightly annoying but livable folder re-name issue that the design team may consider

[mjstn2011]

I think I 'get it' why it is this way but am going to state a potential feature or even just an error pop up that if can be done may lessen confusion of not being able to re-name a folder in Data panel that has one or more fusion360 'elements' such as project or pcb and schematic files in it.

Suppose we start with a folder called myProject1 and in that folder we save a full PCB design like  myBoard where there is a project, schematic, pcb and 3d render 'element'.

At some later time we decide we want to have this folder of myProject1 be called myCoolDevice.   The confusing issue is you cannot just use rename on that folder even though it shows up and indeed lets you rename it.  The name does not stick and no reason or error is produced.   This is confusing.

I get it, this is involved feature.  I think the 'reason' is the lower level 4 files have some path with that myProject1 folder name in them in perhaps some 'complex data structure'.  

I suggest as a minimum a pop-up error like  'Folder cannot be renamed because projects within it use this name.  (or whatever you want to say).

Ideally one could re-name myProject1 and through the hard labor of dev persons the underlying 4 project files also get this new higher level folder name of myCoolDevce put in them.  As a software dev dude, I totally get that is a 10x more time consuming effort than a pop up.   

Perhaps a pop up now then on the 'features to thing about' list have the full 9 yard clean solution with much more effort of course.

So suggest as a minimum a pop up saying 'Sorry, could not rename this due to existing project within this folder use current folder name'   (or whatever you all want to say).

Not saying anything and not changing the name is the highest level confusion.

So my workaround is I create a new empty folder 'myCoolDevice'  then I open the project in myProject1 and then I save as into folder myCoolDevice.    Bit of a PITA but I understand the complexities of this sort of rename.

Thank you for listening to my attempt to make Fusion360 a more pleasant experience at some future time.

Cheers,  Mark

[jorge_garcia]

Hey @mjstn2011 ,

It's always nice to hear from you. This is very strange as far as I know, you should be able to rename without any issue.

I'll run this by a colleague to see if there is any other issue.

Best Regards,

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @mjstn2011 ,

So I spoke to my colleague, he recommends going to manage.autodesk.com and opening a support ticket. Would you be able to share a few screenshots or a screen recording of you trying to rename a folder. I want to see if maybe something is off in the procedure or you have found a special path that causes this to fail.

Thanks in advanced for any additional info you can provide.

Best Regards,

[mjstn2011 · Accepted solution]

Well I went back into a different case of the rename and it (of course) worked.

I am afraid I cannot re-produce this @jorge_garcia 

I was looking mostly to ask your team if they felt what I described was supported and it seems it is supported.

I wondered if it was due to some side case like maybe I had one of the parts of the design open at the time or something.  So I opened the project file and its schematic and pcb and entered the schematic then tried a rename of containing folder.    It worked.

So I must (sadly) chalk this up to some sort of confusion on my part but I had seen it several times.  Still, I think best to not log this as a defect until I can clearly come up with a specific use case that makes it duplicate.

Sorry for taking your time, you all are great.   

Cheers,  Mark

[mjstn2011]

I think I see the issue.  I bet that as I was entering the new name I simply clicked on the folder and never really hit 'ENTER' at the end of entering the name.   This is acceptable behavior and again, it's just so hard to know the poper UI    In windows folder renames if you enter the new name then click on another parent folder or other folder it renames.   I respect the Fusion 360 'philosophy' that if you don't hit enter specifically for the new name when entering the new name the input is basically ignored.   I think that may be it.   Again, no need for a support ticket.