Identify file status icons locally and in ACC Docs

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Desktop Connector displays icons to help you understand the status of the files and folders on your local machine,

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as well as in the cloud, so that you can easily tell when a Civil 3D file is in use.

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Here, you see Windows Explorer open to a folder on the local Autodesk Docs drive.

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In this case, next to each of the PDF files, you see a cloud icon.

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This indicates that the file has not been opened or referenced on your machine, so it is currently stored in the cloud.

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Open one of the files, and it downloads to your local machine.

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Now, you see a checkmark in the Status column, indicating that the file is synced locally,

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with a copy on your machine.

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You can work on the file locally and when you save it, Desktop Connector will automatically version the updated file to the cloud.

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When you close the file, notice that the synced version is retained.

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If you open the file tomorrow, Desktop Connector will compare the synced file with the cloud file.

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If the cloud version is more recent, it will download this latest version to your local drive before opening it.

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If you need to free up space, you can right-click a file and select Free up space to delete the synced version.

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Now, the Status icon changes to a cloud again.

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You can also use this command to free up space at the folder and account levels.

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Just the opposite, if you need to be sure that a file remains synced locally, you can right-click the file and select Always keep on this device.

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Now, you see a solid checkmark in the Status column.

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Selecting this option not only syncs the file to your machine, but also,

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Desktop Connector will continually check for updates and download the latest version.

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As you might expect, this option does require additional internet bandwidth.

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Also be aware that if it is used on an entire project that is very large, the system may encounter errors or cause issues.

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Therefore, best practice is to use it sparingly, and only on the files you are actively working on.

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Now, with Civil 3D and Autodesk Docs open in adjacent windows, open a cloud file in Civil 3D to see what happens in Docs.

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Select Open, and in the Select File dialog, navigate to and select the cloud file.

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When you click Open, the file opens in Civil 3D, and in the Docs window, a locked icon appears next to the file.

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This locked status prevents other users from editing the same file.

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And when you hover the cursor over the locked icon, you can see who has the file locked.

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As you update the file, changes will automatically version to the cloud.

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Other users can still open the file, but it will open as read-only.

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Now, Close the file, and you see that the lock icon is removed in the cloud.

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Pay attention to the status icons for files on your local drive, so that you can easily tell when a Civil 3D file is locked in the cloud.