ABC Pro for Civil: AutoCAD Shared Reusable Content

The need for shared contented that is used thorough out many projects is reality in our designs.  There is much content that can be stored such as: Images, Blocks, Standard Details, Templates, etc..

Can the Autodesk BIM Collaborate (ABC) Pro for Civil support users?  Although Autodesk has added the “Bridge” as an option for ABC projects, this is NOT what will be used.  The functionality that “Bridge” offers is more in tune with workflows of Project Data:   
Bridge is typically used to share files between projects where the users in one project are not invited to the other or source project.

The focus of this post is to simply access files stored in a separate ABC Project, that will support invited users.  This project will act like a “Support Library” hosting the shared content.  

Accessing Data from one Project to another over the ABC:  XREF files

From a previous post on External References (XREFS) we know they are supported on the ABC.  Here, we test on the ability to browse across projects and refence shared content.  Files such as drawings, images, pdf and more to be leveraged as XREFS.

Accessing Data from one Project to another over the ABC:  Insert data

Shared ABC Project content can be inserted across projects too.  We will focus on the more common item to insert:  Drawings as Blocks.  Again, browse to the shared project folder:

Accessing Data from one Project to another over the ABC:  Template

Unfutunalty Support Paths cannot be set to ABC locations.  However, file can be accessed from ABC location to be used as templates.  Starting a NEW drawing, then simply browse to the shared ABC Project location and select the desired file (dwg or dwt):

Once again, simple AutoCAD functionally is supported by the ABC.  Reusable content shown here from a Support Project “Library”, can be shared giving invited users read only access.  Be aware that you cannot us the Autodesk Desktop Connector to set AutoCAD Support paths to locations on the ABC.

Please visit our other posts testing functionality on the Autodesk BIM Collaborate (ABC) Pro for Civil :
     •    Using External References on ABC
     •    Using AutoCAD Live Maps Service (geolocation) on  ABC
     •    Map 3D: Connecting to FDO files on ABC
     •    Map 3D: working with Images on ABC
     •    Map 3D: using Web Source Connections
     •    Civil 3D: sharing Pipe Catalogs on ABC
     •    Civil 3D: sharing Survey Database Settings on ABC
     •    Civil 3D: working with Reference Templates on ABC

About the Author

Civil Applications Expert<br><br>As an Applications Expert, Leo is responsible for supporting, training and implementation of software for survey and civil engineering professionals. He has more than 19 years of experience helping large and small, public and private clients in the eastern United States.

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