Change default file locations for for the local BIM 360 Collaboration Files

[raygroth]

How do you change the default file locations for for the local BIM 360 Collaboration Files.  The default location is under the User Files on the C:\ drive.  My C:\ Drive is a smaller SSD Drive and does not have the room to hold all of the models.  I need to have the local files stored on my D:\ Drive.  Is there a startup file I can edit to redirect the file locations?

I am working with Revit 2018.3 & Revit 2019 depending on the client.

[pawel.romaniuk]

@raygroth 

Please take a look at this:

Location of files downloaded from Desktop Connector
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/bim-360/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Locati...

[David_W_Koch]

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@pawel.romaniuk wrote:

@raygroth 

Please take a look at this:

Location of files downloaded from Desktop Connector
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/bim-360/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Locati...

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All that article does is state where the files are stored by default.  It does not provide instructions on how to change the location.  This AKN article (somewhat older, from December, 2018) states that the location cannot be changed.  It would appear that the location cannot be changed, unless that has changed since December.

[Anonymous]

got to:

File --> Options --> File Locations --> Default path for user files.

[raygroth]

This doesn't work.  It changes the location for local files, but not change the location for the BIM 360 files.  I've tried this.  I need a way to change the location of the central files.

C:\Users\raygr\AppData\Local\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit 2019\CollaborationCache

[Anonymous]

HI Ray,

Sounds like you are wanting to move your local copy as that is what is on your machine eating up space, the central file is in the cloud, and can't be moved, I am looking into this request for a customer as well. My guess is that BIM 360 Design is programmed to look to that file path for the local copy. If you were try to move it I suspect that BIM 360 would treat it like a first time open and "cold start", for lack of better terms, and just re-download the file and put it in that file location. 

That being said I am seeing more and more people request this, and it would be great to be able to customize where the Local file is located and then tell BIM 360 where you put it. If I uncover anything more I will get back. 

[GawronT]

Greetings,

I was researching this today and I agree that it would be a well purposed option to be able to redirect BIM 360 local files. Before BIM 360, we would always redirect local files to a secondary working drive. This leaves the C drive for System operations. I hope this is on the development list.

Regards,

[swatson12205]

This falls into the category of "necessary but not for Autodesk".  computers work better with an SSD drive running the OS, but you still need the storage to handle local files.  So what we find happening is that workstations are spending unneeded money on video cards and RAM to overcompensate for needing to buy a 2TB HDD instead of the smaller 256GB SSD.  You can definitely mode the locations of the non-BIM360 local files, but that is all.

I imagine this will get resolved as soon as you can model existing, new, and future without using special filters and/or parameters.  Or being able to place electrical circuits and panel schedules into specific phases.  If you can phase a regular schedule, why can't you phase a panel schedule?  Oh well, keep your fingers crossed for something coming down the pipe.

[Basam.Yousif]

"Revit computers" have no use for such setup. A tiny C:\ and a large D:\ drive setup does not work for Revit. You need ONE large C:\ drive that is a minimum of 1TB in size. Avoid those 500GB and smaller drives - they are not your friends.

[GawronT]

Yes, I would agree 1TB or more is the way to go now. But only due to the fact of the Revit lack of file separation capabilities. Back in the day it was nice to keep non OS data of C. Thanks for the post...

[Basam.Yousif]

Storage is not expensive anymore (was it ever?) and using two drives instead of one is just not the best idea in my opinion. Just get one big enough drive and you're good to go for many years to come.

There is wishlist idea up for voting on the Autodesk Ideas board, if anyone wants to vote - even though Autodesk has accepted the idea: https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/revit-ideas/changing-path-of-c4r-local-cache-files/idi-p/7405143

[GawronT]

Thanks for the link. If it happens great, but I have adapted and spec all new laptops with nothing less than a 1tb drive & maybe second. Pre-BIM users where accustomed to local file relocation, kinda caught us off guard. The devil is in the details. Been upgrading prior laptop’s to accommodate this change. Cheers……