One man office using worksets

[erikbjur]

I own a one man structural engineering office and was wondering about the use of worksets. I am becoming more familiar with them as the days go on. I have read posts stating that I should enable them (worksets) in every project. My question is as follows: What file should I work on if I enable worksets? Do I use the central file, since no one else is working on the project? Or should I work on the local file? What are the benefits of each option? Thanks again for any input you may have.

[patricks]

If no one else uses the file, I see no reason not to just work in the Central file. However, I would only use worksets in the first place if you have special visibility needs, i.e. you need certain objects to not display in a view, but other objects of the same type in the same view to display, then worksets would be good for that. Perhaps also if you're working on a large model and only want to open and work on a portion of it (faster) then you could use worksets for that.

[hand471037]

Don't work in the Central File. It's a bad idea, even if you're working by yourself.

And I use Worksets on all my Projects, even the one-man ones, but I like using them for Project Mangement as well as visibility control. I find they can really help at times.

[aaronrumple]

I work on the central file when I shuffle work home or I just need to print/view in the office. Otherwise I work on a local copy. I've never had issues either way.

[patricks]

Doesn't using a "local" copy require there be some sort of server machine where the central file is located, and then the local copy on the user's machine?

If there is only one machine involved, why make a "local" file that references a "central" file on the same machine?

[aaronrumple]

Yes. But having the local and central on one system gives you a solid backup system just in case. If you delete the central - there is no backup file. Just a bunch of *.dat files.

With the central and local on one system, you'll have two files just in case and be able to roll the project back based on save time/dates if needed.

Just doing a save as would work, but this requires more space and isn't automatic.

[irwin]

Yes. But having the local and central on one system gives you a solid backup system just in case. If you delete the central - there is no backup file. Just a bunch of *.dat files.
There are backups of the central file. You can't simply rename them the way you can with a non-workset file, but if you delete the central file then Revit will reconstruct it from the backup directory.

[erikbjur]

Thanks for all of the ideas. It's probably better if I use the local file. That way I have a backup. Thanks again.