Data shortcut Structure

[jenniferchavez]

For some reason, Im missing something in my research on data shortcuts and the folder structures.

1. Is the working folder supposed to be set to the network, where everyone will have access to it?

2. Is the working folder the folder you change if you have your projects located in different project directories on a network?

3. What is the data shortcut folder?

I have been using vault and I would like to use data shortcuts instead. So I guess Im a little confused. In vault we have our working folder set to our hard drive (c:vault) and never have to change it.

[awhaley]

Here are the simple terms that autodesk does not seem to like to use (From an AU 2008 Class by Joe Hendrick, accesbile through AO Online)
Working Folder = Project Directory (Path)
Data Shorcuts Folder = Project Folder

This how we have it organized in our directory so the _Shorcuts folder is placed with the design DWGs

Working Folder = Project Number\Engineers\

Data Shorcust Folder = CAD

This puts all the data shortcuts under Project Number\Engineers\CAD\_Shortcuts

It is a pain to navigate to when changing projects, but that is the legacy of our project organization. If that ever changes, we will make the data shorcuts organization easier to follow.

Hope that helps,

[Glenn Pope]

If your going to continue using vault I would say just stick with it handling the data shortcuts. Its a lot easier.

If your not or you really don't want to use it for your shortcuts:

There are 2 ways of setting up your system. Each has their pros and cons.

Method 1:

Have one folder on the network that will store all the data shortcuts (ie the working folder). Within that folder will be the data shortcut folders. One for each project.

Ex.
(NetworkDrive):\Working Folder

• Data Shortcut folder for Project 1
• Data Shortcut folder for Project 2
• Data Shortcut folder for Project 3

(NetworkDrive)Project Folder

• Project 1
• Project 2
• Project 3

Method 2:

Place the working folder inside each project folder. With the data shortcut folder inside the working folder.

Ex.
(NetworkDrive):\Project Folder

• Project 1
  
  • Working Folder
    
    • Data Shortcut folder

• Project 2
  
  • Working Folder
    
    • Data Shortcut folder

• Project 3
  
  • Working Folder
    
    • Data Shortcut folder

Method 1 will allow you to set up each system one time to point to the working folder on the network. Then all the user has to do is rightclick on Data Shortcuts in the Prospector and select "Set Data Shortcut Folder". The user will then get a list of all the projects that have a data shortcut folder. The drawback is you now have a folder that is separate from the actual project folder.

Method 2 will allow you to keep the data shortcut folder with the project. But to switch to another project the user will have to rightclick on Data Shortcuts in the Prospector and select "Set Working Folder", then navigate to the project folder and select the working folder. Not as nice as getting the list.

A drawback to using either of these methods compared to using Vault is that the user will have to remember to switch working folders whenever they jump onto a different project. Vault does that automatically. Also with Vault you don't have to worry about the folders at all since that is stored in the vault project