This article explains how to set up and use Project Connect.
Project Connect continuously transfers Box files between projects. When a new file version is uploaded to the source project, it automatically transfers to your project, including its metadata.
These files will be read-only in the destination project, which means you cannot upload new versions, edit the metadata, or delete the files in the destination project.
However, you can still use the files as usual in Dalux, such as adding them to Locations, using them for registrations, or utilizing features in Box such as comments, file flows, distribution lists, and more.
This feature replaces the manual process of keeping projects updated by downloading and uploading files.
Technical information
Project Connect is available with a Box Pro license for the destination project. The source project must have a Box or Box Pro license.
How to set up a Project Connect link
To set up the Project Connect link, go to:
Settings
Project setup
'Create Project Connect link':
User rights
A Project Connect link must be set up by a project administrator in the destination project.
The same user must also be part of a user group with viewing permissions for the desired folders in the source project.
Start by selecting the source project, user group, and source file area.
- Transfer from project - Select which project to transfer files from. You can choose from projects that you, as a user, have access to.
- User group - Project Connect links to folders available for the selected user group within the source project. As you can be part of multiple user groups, specify the user group that has access to the relevant folders.
- Source file area - Select the file area of the source project from which the files should be transferred. This depends on which file areas are activated in the project.
Technical information
If you are removed from the source project or lose access to the linked folders, the Project Connect link gets deactivated and will need to be reactivated by a user with access to the project. Linked folders and files will be moved into a 'Disconnected' folder.
If you lose viewing permissions to individual folders or files in the source project get deleted, previously transferred files will still be available in the 'Disconnected' folder.
Map folders
You need to select which folders from the source project you want to mirror to a folder on your destination project.
Technical information
You can only transfer files to the Files area in the destination project, regardless of the source file location. The folder structure will be copied into the target folder in the destination project. There cannot be a file flow and file naming template active for this target folder.
The selected folder in the destination project will be read-only for all users, including administrators, while the Project Connect link is active.
If the link is removed, the files will remain in the destination project but will no longer be read-only.
Click on Map folders. In the new window, you can select which folders from the source project you want to connect to the destination project. Then, choose where you want to set up this folder structure in your destination project. When you are done, click on 'Map folders'.
Map metadata
To ensure that all relevant metadata is synced properly to the destination project, you need to select which metadata from the source project you want to map to metadata in your destination project.
This will make it easier to access and utilize the transferred metadata in the destination project.
You can map both Dalux metadata and custom metadata from the source project to the destination project.
Technical information
Metadata types (text, date, list) must match between the source and destination.
Any metadata that is not mapped will still be transferred, but it will appear in a separate comma-separated field, so no data is lost.
If you decide to remap metadata later on, it will be removed from the unspecified metadata field and placed into the one you chose for mapping.
Click on Map metadata in the main window.
Select which metadata property in the destination project matches the metadata from the source project. When you are done, click 'Save'. Unmapped metadata is saved into the 'Source project metadata' metadata.
File history
Use 'Include file history' to select whether file history from the source project should be included or not. This will transfer all previous versions from the source project, including their metadata. New versions in the source project are automatically transferred. Note that this may significantly prolong the transfer time.
Creating the link
Always double-check your setup and then click 'Create link' to confirm.
Once you create the link, the files and folders will be linked to your destination project.
The files are in read-only mode, which means you cannot upload new versions, edit the metadata, or delete the files in the destination project. However, you can still use the files as usual in Dalux, such as adding them to Locations, using them for registrations, or utilizing features in Box such as comments, file flows, distribution lists, and more.
File transfer log and transfer details
You can use the file transfer log to see details about the latest and previous transfers. For instance, if the versions are updated on the source project, a new log entry will appear when the files are transferred.
You can open the transfer job with 'Show details' to read more about the individual files in the transfer. The file transfer log contains an overview of all files in a transfer, even if the transfer fails. This is indicated by the 'Status' in the transfer log.
Technical information
You cannot connect two projects from the same company profile or between two projects created in different VAT countries.
You cannot transfer files from an InfraField project to a Field project, and vice versa.
It is currently not possible to transfer files that are uploaded to the source project via plugins with Project Connect.
Working with Project Connect files
When the Project Connect link is active, you cannot upload new versions of files, edit the metadata, or delete the files. However, you can still work with the files as you usually do in Dalux. This means that you can add files to Locations, use them for registrations, or utilize Box features such as comments, file flows, distribution lists, and more.
You can add files to Locations in the destination project and map the drawings and models. When you have done the initial setup in Locations, transferring new file versions automatically updates the drawings and models there.
If you transfer a file with a stamp from the source project, you can still manually publish it with a stamp in the destination project. This will result in a file with two stamps.