Summary

In a previous post, we discussed ways to share your Dynamo packages with your users. This involved distributing them through a 3rd party service like Google Drive or Dropbox. In addition to this requirement, we targeted sharing packages as this is one thing that hangs users up the most when receiving a Dynamo graph. In this post, we will revisit this option while adding Dynamo graphs to the mix, using the newest version of Autodesk Desktop Connector.

Stuff to Keep in Mind

While the workflow described in this post is possible (and works well in my testing), I encourage you to check out the Desktop Connector FAQs before moving forward.

Desktop Connector Version and Installation

This post will use the latest desktop connector version (v. 16.1.0.1935).

This version is a significant upgrade from the previous versions, so it does involve a bit of an installation process, which is outlined here:

Desktop Connector 16.0 FAQs

This does vary a bit as users are typically instructed to navigate to manage.autodesk.com for updates, and doing so would result in an older version of Desktop Connector.

(Note: this will eventually be released as it has previously, but with this version being a Major upgrade, the team has taken this approach for migration)

You can check out the post for a complete installation guide at the following link: Upgrade to v16 Desktop Connector.

Project Setup

As you may know, the desktop connector is designed to work with Autodesk Construction Cloud projects. This typically involves Revit files, consultant files, and related project documentation. Right off hand, that doesn’t sound like it will work for Dynamo Assets.

Wrong. If we let ourselves get over that naming, we can use Desktop Connector for really cool Dynamo Asset Management.

In my “project files” folder, I currently have the packages I use and a couple of sample graphs built for Dynamo player.

The initial project setup is the same as setting up any other project on the cloud.

Project Setup on Autodesk Construction Cloud

Syncing Uploaded Content

 

With the project setup, you can sync it locally with Desktop Connector.

Selecting which Projects to Sync Locally

We will map our Dynamo installs to this synced Desktop Connector folder in a bit, but first, we need to invite collaborators to this “project.”

 

Sharing with Your Users

For the sake of sharing, I will add another user account outside my organization.

 

One great feature of this is having this user be a “view + download only” project member.

Mapping Directories on User Computer

For the end-user, the experience of mapping the project is the same. Select it in Desktop Connector and let it sync!

 

 

With our new user’s new access (view + download only), we can map the locations and sync the files. Note: You can enable “keep these files available offline” if there is potential for no internet connection.

 

Mapping the Dynamo graphs folder in Dynamo player is straightforward as well.

 

 

 

Why do this?

Chances are, you are already working in the cloud. With Desktop Connector v16, we have access to additional features and better syncing overall. With package and graph management always being a hot topic, this workflow serves as a way to enable this.

In addition to the general shareability of our graphs and packages with our users, there seem to be a few exciting things in the works.

If you haven’t seen it, the Dynamo team now has a Public Roadmap with some epic ideas. Some of these involve how your Dynamo graphs may interact with cloud services. (It is also worth mentioning that none of the features are guaranteed, but if you voice your thoughts loud enough, the chances are better)

 

A few ideas that are worth noting (and encouraging you to add your thoughts to) are:

Viewing Rich Metadata on Autodesk Docs

Dynamo Node Graph on Autodesk Docs

 

There are also a few others on there that are very forward-thinking with Autodesk Docs and Dynamo. I encourage you all to add your comments to the Public Roadmap as soon as possible.

 

While the ideas are not guaranteed, there does seem to be some incentive to move graphs over to Autodesk Docs sooner than later.