File Locking in Cloud Projects¶
Write Permissions¶
An important part of cloud projects is managing who can modify files at a given time, which is handled through file locks. These locks are directed at files that only one user at a time should be able to modify. This means that only one user has the ability to get write permissions, while other users only have read access.
The way this is handled in Gemini Terrain can be roughly divided into two access levels:
- Read-only mode (files marked with #)
- File lock (file open for editing by one user)
Read-Only Mode¶
When a file is opened in read-only mode, you will be able to see the content but not change it permanently. By default, all files that you have not locked yourself are marked with # and are in read-only mode. This applies both in the project menu and within individual drawings.
If you choose to open a drawing in read-only mode in Gemini Terrain, you will be able to add models (application layers, .SFI, .EFI, .XFI), but these changes are not saved when you leave the drawing. This also applies to quick sections and dimensions placed in the drawings.
Note
It is possible to press Delete on a selected element in the Command List when in read-only mode, but this function only removes the element from the list - nothing is deleted from the cloud project. The removal is also not saved, so the element will be back the next time the drawing is opened.
File Lock¶
Locking a file means taking control of the file. When a file is locked by a user, only that user can make changes to the file. When the user relinquishes control, changes are uploaded to Gemini Connected and further out to everyone else. After the upload, others can take control of the file. Some files will, after upload, immediately load changes for all other users.
Project File¶
The project file is locked if changes are made that alter the file. This typically happens when editing project information (right-click on a project in the project menu - Edit project information...). Other examples include when specifying a coordinate system or changing rules for synchronized folders. The file is uploaded and released when you leave the current dialog that requires the project file to be locked. The changes will immediately afterward be made available to everyone else.
Drawings¶
Drawings, .BIM files, are locked by the user when they are opened. These files are not opened for others until the drawing is closed.
Application Layers, Roads, Construction Pits, and Intersections¶
A drawing can contain a wide range of application layers, roads, construction pits, and intersections. These files can be locked individually based on which one you are working with.
Instructions
Files are locked by either: * Right-clicking on the file and selecting Open for editing * Selecting the file and clicking the Lock on/off icon in a toolbar. The icon looks like the # symbol
When a change is uploaded, the files will change after a few seconds in all other drawings they might be in. This way, all users will always have the latest updated version of these models.
Note
When a user has locked a file, it will be in read-only mode for other users. In addition to the # symbol, the username of the person who has locked the file is displayed.
Gemini 3D Field¶
Read-Only Mode¶
In Gemini 3D Field, all files are opened in read-only mode. As in Gemini Terrain, if you open a drawing in read-only mode, you will be able to add models (application layers, .SFI, .EFI, .XFI), but these changes are not saved when you leave the drawing. This also applies to quick sections and dimensions placed in the drawings.
Registrations in Gemini 3D Field¶
As mentioned, all drawings in Gemini 3D Field are opened in read-only mode, and no changes to the drawing, the .BIM file, are allowed. When you initiate registration with Activate/deactivate registration panel, an application layer is created at the root of the project. This file is temporarily added to the drawing and disappears the next time the drawing is opened. When you have completed the registration, use the Send registration button, and the application layer is saved to the subdirectory \Field Registration\. This is immediately uploaded to Gemini Connected and is available to everyone else in the project on all other respective \Field Registration\ directories.
Note
A trained eye might notice that the standard Field rule for the \Field Registration\ directory in the Synchronized folders dialog is set to neither upload nor download new data, and one might wonder how the field registration layer is then uploaded. The answer is that the Send registration button performs a separate upload, independent of the rules specified in Synchronized folders.
Note
Application layers uploaded using the method above will not immediately appear in the drawing for others. This is again because drawings in Gemini 3D Field are always opened in read-only mode. However, the registrations are easily accessible to everyone else in the \Field Registration\ directory.