X17--Can I save my plan and layout to dropbox?

[Ed_Orum]

Normally, in X16 I would be set to save my plan/layout to its corresponding job in Dropbox.

   Can I save my project to Dropbox in 17?

I don't see a "save as" option, just "make a copy", so where is the copy saved?

Thanks in advance, I am easily confused.

 

[ComputerMaster86]

You can turn off "Managed Mode" and work the way you did in X16.  Under "Preferences" > "Project Management" de-select "Use Chief Architect Project Management".

 

 

If you are using "Chief Architect Project Management" Chief is going to manage your files for you.  It's going to be a lot more difficult to store files on Dropbox and still work on them.  You might want to consider turning "Project Management" off to store files on Dropbox.

[HumbleChief]

1 hour ago, Ed_Orum said:

Normally, in X16 I would be set to save my plan/layout to its corresponding job in Dropbox.

   Can I save my project to Dropbox in 17?

I don't see a "save as" option, just "make a copy", so where is the copy saved?

Thanks in advance, I am easily confused.

 

Curious too as I didn't think of that as I have saved all my plans to DB and have trusted DB for years and would also like to use project management AND DropBox.

[HumbleChief]

Does all of the pertinent information live in the X17 Data Folder that can be saved to DropBox?

[ComputerMaster86]

Chief doesn't recommend  storing the back-end data that it is managing on Dropbox or another cloud provider as it interfers and messes up the project management mode.  Chief uses the phrase "It voids the warranty".

[JLU_Design]

2 hours ago, Ed_Orum said:

Normally, in X16 I would be set to save my plan/layout to its corresponding job in Dropbox.

   Can I save my project to Dropbox in 17?

I don't see a "save as" option, just "make a copy", so where is the copy saved?

Thanks in advance, I am easily confused.

 

I am working toward using the project management option because of all the advantages it brings.

My plan is to export "archival" copies of the .caproj file to my project directory which is also stored in dropbox.

This means I can remove completed projects from Chief to reduce clutter but can reload a project at any time I may need it.

 

I really think the new project management is a huge improvement.

[HumbleChief]

I exported and imported a caproj file and all links were broken so am reticent to try again.

[ClintonM]

I'll try to clarify some things here:

 

4 hours ago, Ed_Orum said:

Can I save my project to Dropbox in 17?

With Chief Architect Project Management turned on, you cannot directly save plans, layouts, or Projects to DropBox or another cloud service.  These files are managed by Chief and stored outside of the typical X17 Data Folder.

 

What can be saved to DropBoxor another cloud service are exported Project (.caproj) files.  Exporting a Project makes a copy of the project files stored within Chief and bundles together all plans, layouts, and referenced asset files used within a Project.  You can think of a Project (.caproj) file as equivalent to the output produced by 'Back Up Entire Plan/Layout' in X16 and other previous versions of Chief.  Backups--which contain all Projects and their associated files, as well as libraries, preferences, and other settings--can also be stored on a cloud service.  You can make a backup at any time using File > Back Up and Restore... > Back Up Managed Resources....  Chief is also set up to create these backups at midnight, by default.  Depending on your use case, storing Project files and backups on a cloud service may be sufficient for your needs.

 

Like @ComputerMaster86said, with Chief Architect Project Management turned off, plans and layouts can be saved to DropBox just like in previous versions.  If you work in a highly collaborative environment, this may be the right choice for you.

 

I would encourage you (and other users) to give Chief Architect Project Management a try and see if it is compatible with your workflow.  If it doesn't, turning Project Management off allows you to manage files just like previous versions.

[Ed_Orum]

Perfect!

Thanks!

[HumbleChief]

What if Chief exported/saved/backed up caproj files for each project to a folder and frequency specified in Preferences? That folder would be visible to DropBox in explorer and would save the gymnastics of manually exporting each project?

[HumbleChief]

One more question. With Project Management turned on what happens if my hard drive fails? Are there backups stored somewhere that can be restored? Right now I have DropBox and Carbonite but both those offer no help with PM turned on. I understand the option to just turn off PM but would like both, PM and a secure, accessible backup location.

[Michael_Gia]

21 hours ago, ClintonM said:

turning Project Management off allows you to manage files just like previous versions.

 

I turned Project Management off but I checked "manage external resources" It's not clear what this actually does.  Can you explain?

[HumbleChief]

Very confusing at times but I just learned that the 'backups' folder under Documents/Premier X17 Data/Backups can be saved to DropBox without needing to export caproj files for each project. May not work for everyone but seems to be OK for my work flow and backup strategy.

[ClintonM]

24 minutes ago, Michael_Gia said:

I turned Project Management off but I checked "manage external resources" It's not clear what this actually does.  Can you explain?

If you're talking about the Preferences > File Magagement > Copy Externally Referenced Material Files to My Data Folder preference, this copies files like textures and material maps over to 'My Data' fodler (defaulted to Chief Architect Premier X18 Data/) when importing things like symbols, which can reference external files.

 

If you're talking about a different checkbox, attach a picture or provide some more information, and I'll do my best explain it!