© 2024 Autodesk. All rights reserved.

Overview of the Capabilities and Workflows With Autodesk Desktop Connector

Autodesk Desktop Connector

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Before we begin…

Agenda

1. What is Desktop Connector?

2. The Autodesk Docs platform

3. Desktop Connector versions, options and historical look at past versions

4. Working with Desktop Connector and Microsoft office, PDF and non-Autodesk file formats

5. Working with Desktop Connector and AutoCAD

6. Bonus: Other Autodesk Docs features

What is Desktop Connector?

Overview

Desktop Connector

What is ?

Desktop Connector allows you to access and work with your cloud data from your local machine.

Desktop Connector provides a connection between your local files and Autodesk Docs . This makes the Autodesk Docs files and folders available in your desktop folder and file structure for easy file management.

This means your Autodesk Docs files are replicated in a connected drive. You can manage files in Autodesk Docs through the connected drive, just as you would any other folder on your machine.

Changes made on the desktop are automatically uploaded to Autodesk Docs.

Getting Started

Desktop Connector

• You must sign in using your Autodesk Account to use Desktop Connector

• Your account/email is what controls what Projects are listed

• Your personally assigned permissions in Docs are respected

• Desktop Connector automatically starts after logging into windows

• Shows as a running app in your windows taskbar

• Runs “in the background” but pay attention to icon status display and notifications.

Getting Started

Desktop Connector

• Select Projects, up to 40 (expanded to 60 in 14.6.1+) • You must be invited • You must have permissions to at least 1 folder

• Desktop Connector automatically starts after logging into windows

• Shows as a running app in your windows taskbar

• Runs “in the background” but pay attention to icon status display and notifications.

The tray icon dot changes color to help you quickly understand the status of Desktop

Connector:

Desktop Connector - Tray Icon Statuses

Icon Description

Desktop Connector is starting up.

or

Desktop Connector is processing changes. The tray icon color depends on your version of Desktop Connector.

Desktop Connector is online.

Desktop Connector is offline or you are not signed in yet.

Desktop Connector experienced an error while processing. Check for errors directly in the home screen in the Docs Connector, or

by clicking View Details in the Drive and Fusion Connectors to see Pending Actions.

or

Desktop Connector requires an update. You will need to update to the latest version of Desktop Connector to continue using your

connector.

https://help.autodesk.com/view/CONNECT/ENU/?guid=Sign_In

Desktop Connector – Windows Explorer

Desktop Connector Will appear as a connected drive in Windows Explorer

• Cache Location is changeable (do not map to OneDrive)

• Windows Explorer functionality for file management

Icon Label Description

Processing Changes to the local file are updating.

Always keep on this

device

The file or folder will automatically update with the latest file

versions from the cloud if Always keep on this device is

selected.

Downloaded

A version of the file is downloaded on demand. The file will

automatically update when a new version is added to the cloud

as Always keep on this device is not selected.

Online The file has not been downloaded locally. The file will be

downloaded on demand.

Locked by you

You've locked the file. Other members can open the file as

read-only, however they can't modify its contents while it is

locked.

Locked by another

member

This file is locked by another project member. You can open

the file as read-only, however you can't edit the content of the

file while it is locked.

File Status Icons

https://help.autodesk.com/view/CONNECT/ENU/?guid=Files_Folders_Docs#always-keep-on-this-device https://help.autodesk.com/view/CONNECT/ENU/?guid=Files_Folders_Docs#always-keep-on-this-device

The Autodesk Docs Platform

Overview

Autodesk Docs

Autodesk Docs is the core folder and file management foundation of the Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) and also BIM360.

• All Projects have a “Project Files” main folder. Subfolder structure is defined by you and can be automated via project templates.

• Folder access and permissions assigned at folder level

• Basic file management tools are available via your Browser, and in Desktop Connector

• Additional services and Features in Docs: • Online Viewer • File Versioning • Markups (PDF, PNG/JPG, 2D elements in DWG and RVT) • Issue Tracking • Document Compare • Transmittal creation and tracking • File Naming Standards (ISO19650)

Overview

Autodesk Docs

Autodesk Docs is NOT a cloud drive or file server.

• Docs has a specific list of file extensions/formats DOCS Help | Supported Files on Web | Autodesk

• ACC Viewer supports the following file formats: DOCS Help | Supported Files on Web | Autodesk

• Desktop Connector Supported/Unsupported Files: https://help.autodesk.com/view/CONNECT/ENU/

?guid=Supported_Files_Desktop_Connector

• Supported Fonts: DOCS Help | Supported Fonts | Autodesk

• Microsoft Office Files: DOCS Help | Microsoft® Office Files | Autodesk

• More Docs Learning: https://learnacc.autodesk.com/

https://help.autodesk.com/view/DOCS/ENU/?guid=Supported_Files_Docs https://help.autodesk.com/view/DOCS/ENU/?guid=Supported_Files_Docs https://help.autodesk.com/view/CONNECT/ENU/?guid=Supported_Files_Desktop_Connector https://help.autodesk.com/view/CONNECT/ENU/?guid=Supported_Files_Desktop_Connector https://help.autodesk.com/view/DOCS/ENU/?guid=Supported_Fonts_Docs https://help.autodesk.com/view/DOCS/ENU/?guid=Microsoft_Office_Files https://learnacc.autodesk.com/

Desktop Connector – A brief history, latest versions, & Future

Desktop Connector V15.x

 All projects were listed

 Limited File locking support

 Synced all reference files at all nested

levels for files on open.

 Local Windows Explorer File attributes

 Limited Right Click file functions in

Windows Explorer

 BIM360 Teams

Desktop Connector 16.x

 40 or 60 selectable projects

 Faster performance, syncing.

 Only syncs loaded and 1st level references

(respects AutoCAD Overlay vs Attach

reference settings)

 Local Windows Explorer file information on

roadmap*

 Full right-click feature on files in windows

explorer

Feature Matrix

Desktop Connector 15.x vs. 16.x

Desktop Connector - Current and Future

 Latest Version and Release Notes

CONNECT Help | Latest Release and Notes | Autodesk

 FAQ and Best Practices

CONNECT Help | Desktop Connector 16.x FAQ | Autodesk

 Troubleshooting

CONNECT Help | Syncing Troubleshooting | Autodesk

 Rapid Release Cycle (monthly)

 Update notifications can be disabled

https://help.autodesk.com/view/CONNECT/ENU/?guid=GUID-03D59AAD-65B0-45E3-84F2-A12AAA5BB267 https://help.autodesk.com/view/CONNECT/ENU/?guid=Version_Comparison_Desktop_Connector https://help.autodesk.com/view/CONNECT/ENU/?guid=Troubleshooting_Sync

Desktop Connector Workflows with

Microsoft Office and non-Autodesk files

 You can view and edit directly in Docs* (browser) or locally with Installed Application

 Files will be Locked when editing online or local. For Multi-User edit on Web, it will lock as lock as at least 1 user is editing.

 Syncing to/from local on Open and Close/Save is automatic.

 Additional Information https://help.autodesk.com/view/DOCS/ENU/?guid=Micro soft_Office_Files

Microsoft Office file workflows

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* Web Edit Requirements To edit files, you must: •Have a Microsoft® Office 365 subscription. •Have edit permissions. •Allow third-party cookies in your browser or *.officeapps.live.com must be allowed in the browser cookie list.

There are differences in the capabilities available between browser and desktop applications. The following Microsoft® articles outline the differences: •Word •Excel •PowerPoint Editing can be done as a single or group editing session.

https://help.autodesk.com/view/DOCS/ENU/?guid=Microsoft_Office_Files https://help.autodesk.com/view/DOCS/ENU/?guid=Microsoft_Office_Files https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/microsoft-office https://help.autodesk.com/view/DOCS/ENU/?guid=Folder_Permissions https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Differences-between-using-a-document-in-the-browser-and-in-Word-3e863ce3-e82c-4211-8f97-5b33c36c55f8 https://support.office.com/en-us/article/differences-between-using-a-workbook-in-the-browser-and-in-excel-f0dc28ed-b85d-4e1d-be6d-5878005db3b6 https://support.office.com/en-us/article/compare-powerpoint-features-on-different-platforms-90986850-227c-4b25-938e-1c5838166b8b

Microsoft Office file workflows

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C lo

u d

L o c a l

Desktop Connector

Desktop Connector Workflows

with Autodesk Products

 You can view directly in Docs* (browser) or Edit locally with Installed Application.

 Open In AutoCAD Web is an option to do Online DWG editing without syncing Local

 Files will be Locked when editing online or local. For Multi-User edit on Web, it will lock as lock as at least 1 user is editing.

 Syncing to/from local on Open and Close/Save is automatic.

 Autodesk Workflows are prioritized with supported file formats.

 DWG reference syncing happens automatically when opening in AutoCAD based applications

 Additional Information https://help.autodesk.com/view/CONNECT/ENU/

Autodesk file workflows

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https://help.autodesk.com/view/CONNECT/ENU/

Live Demo

Questions?

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© 2024 Autodesk. All rights reserved.

Slide 1: Autodesk Desktop Connector Slide 2: Safe Harbor Statement Slide 3: Before we begin… Slide 4 Slide 5 Slide 6: Desktop Connector Slide 7: Desktop Connector Slide 8: Desktop Connector Slide 9: Desktop Connector - Tray Icon Statuses Slide 10: Desktop Connector – Windows Explorer Slide 11 Slide 12: Autodesk Docs Slide 13: Autodesk Docs Slide 14 Slide 15: Desktop Connector V15.x Slide 16: Desktop Connector 15.x vs. 16.x Slide 17: Desktop Connector - Current and Future Slide 18 Slide 19: Microsoft Office file workflows Slide 20: Microsoft Office file workflows Slide 21 Slide 22: Autodesk file workflows Slide 23 Slide 24: Questions? Slide 25