Wondering how/if folks with multiple employees/collaborators have configured their workflow to have multiple employees work on the same model/file. For context we are a small residential design/build firm with 2 full time designers. Whoever is the lead on the project has the “current” version of the model and layout file saved locally. We then periodically load it into the cloud (google drive) so the other can review the version and/or download to work on it. At any one time the model is essentially “locked” up and in the hands of one employee. I understand we could break the model into smaller pieces (say site, model, etc) and then reference them into each other but to really move the building design forward we’ve yet to come up with a practical way to divide the model that doesn’t lead to headaches in reconciling changes. At the moment we do not use Trimble connect as I understand it primarily a mark up tool (tell me if I’m wrong) What are you all doing to efficiently collaborate any move things forward (until we have realtime cloud based modeling)?
I have not tried it, but if you use Trimble Connect, save the project to their cloud, you can then share a link that multiple people, although I think they can only view the model…
https://help.sketchup.com/en/sketchup-web/link-sharing
Another way you could have multiple people work on the same model, but it would still be a bit of a pain, would be to make every tag a component group that gets saved out in a designated folder. You’d have to keep an open line of communication going where everyone is talking to each other, letting everyone know what part they are working on and saved out, so they can reload that piece on not accidentally write over someone else’s work.
Here’s a basic scenario:
-Master Base File with every tag group saved as a component.
-Team members that want to help out ask the Project Lead to Save the master file they are working on.
-Then the team members can open that same file as read-only. Work on a component that no one else is working on such as electrical, or structural framing… (communicate this with everyone that is actively working on the file), then right-click on the component and “save-as” overwriting the component file in the designated folder.
-Then let everyone know they can reload that component in their model.
-When finished saving out all modified components, the extra team members can close their read-only files without saving the overall file.
Fredo6 has a tool under development over at SketchUcation…
https://community.sketchucation.com/topic/164034/plugin-fredoconnect-v1-2a-10-jan-25
+1 on TIG’s recommendation for FredoConnect. This extension has become a game-changer for our office (architecture, interior design and engineering firm). Fredo6 was generous in allowing us to participate in the beta development of this extension a few months ago. As such we were able to evaluate and develop workflow and methodologies that enhanced collaboration within our office. PM me if you’d like more information on our workflow.
I will check it out! thanks for the suggestions everyone !