Synchronizing file properties and title blocks
File and title block properties can be synchronized between the document and its property pages in the vault. This is useful for several purposes:
- Filling in some or all document properties when new documents are created
- Adding data to the Meridian properties when text is typed in empty properties
- Keeping the properties synchronized when changes to either are made
Synchronization occurs automatically when a document is opened in its native application with one of the Meridian application links loaded. This synchronization is from Meridian to the document. This ensures that any changes made to Meridian properties are reflected in the document properties. Synchronization also occurs automatically when a document is saved in its native application. This synchronization is from the document to Meridian. This ensures that any changes made to the document properties are reflected in the Meridian properties.
Note
- This topic pertains to the standard Windows file properties (Title, Subject, and so on, viewable in Windows Explorer) as well as to the proprietary properties that are provided by some applications. These properties are called various names depending on the application, for example, AutoCAD attributes and MicroStation tags. Each of the application links described in this chapter supports these proprietary properties except the Lotus Notes link.
- If you insert a Word field and link it to a Word property that is itself linked to a Meridian property, the field will also show the value of the Meridian property. This requires that the properties are mapped to one another in the vault configuration by a system administrator. However, this synchronization is only in one direction from the Word property to the Word field. Changes to the field will not be synchronized to the Meridian property.
- Due to limitations in Revit, properties cannot be synchronized automatically.
In addition, automatic synchronization can occur when significant events happen in the life cycle of a document:
Meridian properties can be updated from document properties when:
- Documents are imported into a vault
- Documents are uploaded with Web Access
File properties can be updated when documents are:
- Created new from a template or by using the Meridian Copy, Derive, or Replace commands
- Routed to a different state in a document workflow
- Checked out with Web Access
The events upon which synchronization occurs automatically are configured by a system administrator.
Manual synchronization can also occur as necessary, for example, when the document’s title has been changed, by running Meridian commands.
To manually update the Meridian property pages from a document:
- Depending on the application, on the BlueCielo menu or in the BlueCielo ribbon or in the BlueCielo toolbar in the native application, click Update Vault or Synchronize Properties From File. You may also type AMMUPDATE at the AutoCAD command line.
Or
- On the Document menu in PowerUser, select Synchronize Properties from File.
- On the Update menu in Meridian Web Client, click Update Properties from File.
To manually update the properties of a document from its Meridian property pages:
- Depending on the application, on the BlueCielo menu or in the BlueCielo page of the ribbon or in the BlueCielo toolbar in the native application, click Update Document or Synchronize Properties to File. You may also type UPDATETITLE at the AutoCAD command line.
Or
- On the Document menu in Meridian, select Synchronize Properties to File.
- On the Update menu in Meridian Web Client, click Update File from Properties.
Note
- A system administrator may configure some Meridian properties as read-only or write-only so that synchronization only occurs in one direction. For example, the revision number in a title block may only be able to be updated from Meridian, but not to Meridian.
- With some versions of AutoCAD, synchronizing properties with some AutoCAD files (sheet set files, for example) from within PowerUser while the file is open in AutoCAD can produce an error. First close the file in AutoCAD or synchronize the file from within AutoCAD instead.
- Meridian uses Autodesk Inventor itself to update properties. Because Meridian will start and close Autodesk Inventor for
each document, this will add a significant delay to actions that involve
multiple documents, for example releasing an entire assembly. To improve performance significantly, simply launch Autodesk Inventor and keep
it running in the background before starting the update.
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Microsoft Office 2007 and higher allows you to save files to older version (97 - 2003) formats that use different file extensions (.doc, .xls, and so on) than the newer format (.docx, .xlsx, and so on). When files are saved in the old format, the Office application link does not work as expected because it is registered with the default file extensions that are created by the new applications. The workaround to this problem is to add the old file extensions to the Windows registry in the following key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{6D61257C-66B5-4210-B963-2C15F9BC44DE}\SupportedDocTypes