Central File

[dsw98]

Me and a partner are trying to set up worksharing, but when one of tries to access the cental file is says path is not found. Our network is working fine. Any ideas why I'm getting this error?

[sbrown]

Are you talking about over a WAN or just in the same office? Basically, you activate worksets(click the puzzle piece, I assume you did this.) then save the file to your network location. then save again to your local drive. Then your partner would either copy the central to his local drive, or open the central and do a save as to his local drive.

[dsw98]

Yes we've done that. Our network consists of 2 computers linked together. One computer has 2 drives and we are using one of those drives as our Central Location. We've done the normal things. But when one of us tries to do the "Save As" with the central file it give us the "Central file can't be found" Is this something I should send to Support?

[Paul Monsef]

Yes we've done that. Our network consists of 2 computers linked together. One computer has 2 drives and we are using one of those drives as our Central Location. We've done the normal things. But when one of us tries to do the "Save As" with the central file it give us the "Central file can't be found" Is this something I should send to Support?
Are both of you accessing the central file through the same path?

I had this problem with using a VPN to access a file offsite that was saved to a local 'C' drive. I'd recommend that every user access the file the same way (through say a UNC path).

[dsw98]

Are both of you accessing the central file through the same path?

I had this problem with using a VPN to access a file offsite that was saved to a local 'C' drive. I'd recommend that every user access the file the same way (through say a UNC path).


I think we are but can't be totaly sure, but now you're talking a different language. I have no idea what UNC or VPN means.

[Wes Macaulay]

UNC = universal naming convention

Say you share a folder called Projects and also call the share Projects. That computer is called (in its network ID properties) Server. The UNC path to the folder across the network is

\\Server\Projects (file:///ServerProjects)

But say someone maps that to be their G drive, and someone else maps it as their S drive. Generally Revit seems to discover the UNC path the folder and use it. But sometimes it does not.

Unless you're a stickler for making people map drives consistently across the office (and you should) it can be hard for Revit to find data if the path is not consistent for all users.

VPN = virtual private network

VPN users can access their data at the office across the internet.

[dsw98]

UNC = universal naming convention

Say you share a folder called Projects and also call the share Projects. That computer is called (in its network ID properties) Server. The UNC path to the folder across the network is

\\Server\Projects (file:///ServerProjects)

But say someone maps that to be their G drive, and someone else maps it as their S drive. Generally Revit seems to discover the UNC path the folder and use it. But sometimes it does not.

Unless you're a stickler for making people map drives consistently across the office (and you should) it can be hard for Revit to find data if the path is not consistent for all users.

VPN = virtual private network

VPN users can access their data at the office across the internet.


Okay I see what you're saying. The drive does have two differnt names on 2 different compters. So is the fix just as easy as changing the drive to have the same name on both computers? And do I need to change the actual letter of the drive or just the name? And how would I do that?

[sbrown]

You should also be able to open the local file, then click file,save to central, then browse to the location of the central.

[dsw98]

You should also be able to open the local file, then click file,save to central, then browse to the location of the central.


I can't get that far, That's when I get the error message.

[aaronrumple]

Yes. Set each up with same drive letter/name. That should take care of everything.

[dsw98]

Yes. Set each up with same drive letter/name. That should take care of everything.


Okay, I have no idea how to do this. I can change the actual Label of the drive, but how would I change the Drive Letter. I need to change it from :C to :M to get it to work I believe.

[aaronrumple]

Ah. You don't want to change C: drive.

You'll need to map a drive.

From explorer. Tools->Map Network Drive.

Assign the same letter and browse to the same folder on each machine. This will create a "virtual" drive on your system. Note that a folder can appear as a drive using this tool, so you might want to point to the Revit project folder.

Then you'll need to use that drive when opening and making projects.

To take some of the load off your system you might want to get an external harddrive that connects via a network card.

[dsw98]

I was able to map a folder, but the other computer doesn't see it. How do I access it from the other computer. Sorry I have limited computer knowledge. So Do I have to do this with each new project I start. Or just create new folders inside this Mapped Folder?

[aaronrumple]

Have you shared the folder on the host computer? Have these two systems ever been networked before? Sounds like you might need some assistance in setting up a small network.

[dsw98]

Yes, both computers are on a small network. I can access his computer he can access mine. Except when we try to access the "Central Save File".

[aaronrumple]

Then he should be able to see the same folder you've already mapped. He just needs to go through the same steps and browse to your computer. maybe this will help:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308582

[Paul Monsef]

I was able to map a folder, but the other computer doesn't see it. How do I access it from the other computer. Sorry I have limited computer knowledge. So Do I have to do this with each new project I start. Or just create new folders inside this Mapped Folder?
Are you using windows XP? Did the link Aaron posted help at all?

[Tom Dorner]

If you don't have a traditional network where you log into a server I would recommend doing a small network with a NAS (Network Attached Storage). Basically the NAS is a hard drive that can be assigned an IP address add a simple 5 port switch and you are done. Then you can use the UNC file path which Revit likes. The cost of all this can easily be under $250. Check out the following sites for some NAS solutions:

http://www.buffalotech.com/products/product-detail.php?productid=71&categoryid=16

http://www.maxtor.com/portal/site/Maxtor/menuitem.6adb6b8313633595062e6be791346068/?channelpath=/en_us/Products/Network%20Storage

http://www.iomega.com/direct/products/family.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=26891287&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=63191&bmUID=1131475311419

[dsw98]

Nope, We are using Windows 2000. I finaly got it to work. I had to create the Shared Folder. Change it's properties to be able to share. Then from one computer create the Mapped Drive. Then from the other computer Mapp the Folder again. Then I created a new project and then tunred on the Workshare, did the "Save As" ect. ect. and now it works. I think the hold up was that we are running Windows 2000 no XP. Thanks again for all the help