Using Autodesk A360 Drive for Collaborative Design - Part 3

Welcome back to part 3 of the article describing the features of Autodesk A360 Drive.  If you missed part 1 and part 2, simply click on the part you missed for a review.  I want to cover the main feature, and probably the reason it exists, of A360 Drive in this article.  Autodesk A360 Drive is a collaboration site where the poster of models can invite others to view, download and comment on designs.  Depending on the share permissions the owner of the site grants to other users will determine what functions or features are available.  

The first task of the owner is to "Share" some or all the files on A360 Drive with others.  This is done using the share function.  This function can be found on the "Home" view which is where all folders and files appear.  If you select "Share" on the folder level, all files contained in the folder will be given the same share permissions.  If you select "Share" on the file level, only that one file will have the granted share permissions.  This is why in part 2 of this article I recommended you place files in folders so you can share all files in one click.  I will be sharing my folder "Right Angle Engine" with my second account which uses my middle and last name in order to show the features.  I first select the folder by hovering over the share symbol beside the folder.

Selecting the "Share" icon will allow you to add email addresses and give the desired rights to the entire group you are inviting.  If you desire to give each email address different rights, you will have to execute the "Share" function multiple times.

The recipient will receive an email similar to the one below.  Please note the email message include your invitation message as well as a link to the files in the folder which was shared.

Full Access rights will give the recipient the ability to re-share the complete folder with others so be careful before giving this high level of access to your folders and files. If the recipient has been given "Full Access", they will have the right to send a view link to any individual file shared with them to anyone else.  Also they will have the right to allow downloading of the individual file as well.  The link will be created from A360 Drive, sent to the recipient by email and the recipient can click on the link and view the file online in Autodesk A360 Viewer.  

If the "View and Download" permission has been given during the share, the recipient can download any file to their local drive.  One great thing about A360 Drive is the download of the complete folder will automatically zip the entire contents to a folder on the recipient's computer.

During the collaboration effort, comments can be made directly inside the file viewer.  The icon is located in the upper right hand corner of the viewer window.  Anyone who receives a share from the owner will have comment ability.

Comments are cumulative and will remain during the share folder life.  The ability to reply to specific messages is available.  One feature I did not see is a visual or email notification that new comments have been added.

The last feature I would like to mention is the version handling ability of A360 Drive.  If you are the owner you have two ways to upload a new version of any file.  The first is to simply copy a new version to your A360 local drive and replace the existing files.  A360 will automatically upload and version the corresponding files on A360 Drive.  If you are not the owner, you must select the file(s) you want to version and select "Upload New Version".  The owner can use this method as well.

Once A360 Drive processes the version change it will display the newest version automatically and indicated which version is displaying.  Another great feature is the ability to select which version is displayed for design comparisons.

There are a few other features I hope you will explore on your own.  You have the ability to "Move" files to a folder of your choice on A360 Team which makes it handy if this application is used by your team.  A360 Drive has a trash bin so if a file or folder is deleted by accident, it can be recovered.  Do not forget to empty it once in awhile because you only have 5 GB free space.  Files may be copied within A360 Drive making it convenient to create new collaborative projects.

Please give Autodesk A360 Drive a try, you will be glad you did.