> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.auxalia.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.auxalia.com/plant-tools/plantdatamanager/collaboration-workflows/general-workflow.md).
# General Workflow
This chapter describes the general workflows when using PlantDataManager with Collaboration project. It also includes the handling of Link Configuration files.
Configurations Files of PlantDataManager
These are the files used by PlantDataManager 1.**PlantDataManagerEXE.xml** This file exist locally (%PROGRAMDATA%\ACPlant Consult\PlantTools\PlantDataManager\PlantDataManagerEXE.xml) All settings from the Settings dialog are stored locally.
2.**PlantDataManagerAPI.xml** This file exist locally (%PROGRAMDATA%\ACPlant Consult\PlantTools\PlantDataManager\PlantDataManagerAPI.xml) and is used by the PlantDataManager Plugin in AutoCAD Plant 3D. All settings from the Settings dialog are stored locally.
3.**PDMDataCache\_\[USERNAME].dcf** The \[PROJCTFOLDER]\ACPlantTools\PlantDataManager\PDMDataCache\_\[USERNAME].dcf files are containing user changes which haven't been imported into the drawings. 4.**NPO\_\[DWGGUID].xml** The \[PROJCTFOLDER]\ACPlantTools\PlantDataManager\NPO\_\[DWGGUID].dcf files are containing NPO tasks which haven't been imported into the project database yet. See [Introduction & Workflow](/plant-tools/plantdatamanager/how-to-use/plantdatamanager/not-placed-objects/introduction-workflow.md) for details. 5.**SQL Script Files (\*.sql)** The \[PROJCTFOLDER]\ACPlantTools\PlantLink\\*.sql files are executed (if enabled) on project load. For example, to create view in the database. The files cannot be edited through PlantDataManager's Settings dialog. 6.**LinkConfiguration.Collection.xml** The \[PROJCTFOLDER]\ACPlantTools\PlantLink\LinkConfiguration.Collection.xml holds a list of available lcf files in the project. The details are described under* [*Link Configurations*](/plant-tools/plantdatamanager/collaboration-workflows/link-configurations.md)*. 7.**\*.lcf files** The \[PROJCTFOLDER]\ACPlantTools\PlantLink\\*.lcf files are the configuration files of PlantLink in your project. The details are described under [Link Configurations](/plant-tools/plantdatamanager/collaboration-workflows/link-configurations.md). 8.**Related Files** The related files are all files which are used as the external data source and typically point to a file in the project.When using UDL file referencing a MS Access or MS Excel file, this will also be handled. The details are described under [Link Configurations](/plant-tools/plantdatamanager/collaboration-workflows/link-configurations.md). 9.**CalculationConfiguration.Collection.xml** The \[PROJCTFOLDER]\ACPlantTools\PlantExpressTools\Calculations\CalculationConfiguration.Collection.xml holds a list of available calc files in the project. The details are described under [Calculations](/plant-tools/plantdatamanager/collaboration-workflows/calculations.md). 10.**\*.calc files** The \[PROJCTFOLDER]\ACPlantTools\Calculations\\*.calc files are the configuration files of the Calculation function in your project. The details are described under* [*Calculations*](/plant-tools/plantdatamanager/collaboration-workflows/calculations.md)*. 11.**ReportConfiguration.Collection.xml** The \[PROJCTFOLDER]\ACPlantTools\PlantReporter\ReportFiles\ReportConfiguration.Collection.xml holds a list of available rcf files in the project. The details are described under* [*AutoCAD Plant 3D*](/plant-tools/plantreporter/settings/autocad-plant-3d.md) *and* [*User Interface*](/plant-tools/plantreporter/how-to-use/plantreporter/user-interface.md)*. 12.**\*.rcf files, \*.layout.22.2 files** The \[PROJCTFOLDER]\ACPlantTools\PlantReporter\ReportFiles\\*.rcf and \*.layout.22.2 files are the configuration files of PlantReporter if you have PlantReporter setup to have those files within your project. The details are described under [AutoCAD Plant 3D](/plant-tools/plantreporter/settings/autocad-plant-3d.md) and [User Interface](/plant-tools/plantreporter/how-to-use/plantreporter/user-interface.md). 13.**PropertiesPaletteConfiguration.xml** This file exist in each project (\[PROJCTFOLDER]\ACPlantTools\PlantExpressTools\ClassesAndProperties\PropertiesPaletteConfiguration.xml). The details are described under [PropertiesPalette](/plant-tools/plantdatamanager/collaboration-workflows/propertiespalette.md). 14.**PIDTagFormats.xml, PIDStyleDefinitions.xml, PIDRelationshipTypes.xml** The \[PROJCTFOLDER]\ACPlantTools\PIDTagFormats.xml contains the definition of the PID Tag Formats. The \[PROJCTFOLDER]\ACPlantTools\PIDStyleDefinitions.xml contains the definition of the available Symbols for a class. The \[PROJCTFOLDER]\ACPlantTools\PIDRelationshipTypes.xml contains the available relationship types which can be used in the Relationship Panel. The PIDTagFormats.xml and PIDStyleDefinitions.xml are created by PlantDataManager Plugin when closing the project or when manually exporting the Tag Formats and Style Definitions. The PIDRelationshipTypes.xml is created either when loading the project in Plant 3D or when loading the project in PlantDataManager.
15.**PlantToolsSetup.xml** This file exist in each project (\[PROJCTFOLDER]\ACPlantTools\PlantToolsSetup.xml). It is the central locking file for PlantTools to ensure, that only one user at a time can make changes to PlantTools settings. 16.**Files in Project Manager**
Opening an existing Collaboration project
1.PDMDataCache\_\[USERNAME].dcf => DOWNLOADED / CHECKED OUT Your own changes are checked out. The PDMDataCache files from other users are downloaded. 2.NPO\_\[DWGGUID].xml => DOWNLOADED 3.PIDTagFormats.xml => DOWNLOADED 4.PIDStyleDefinitions.xml => DOWNLOADED 5.PIDRelationshipTypes.xml => DOWNLOADED / CHECKED IN If the file already exists it will be downloaded, if it does not exists yet, it will be created and checked in. 6.SQL Script filed (\*.sql) => DOWNLOADED 7.LinkConfiguration.Collection.xml => DOWNLOADED 8.\*.lcf files => DOWNLOADED 9.Related files => DOWNLOADED
Opening or Closing Settings Dialog
Since the PlantDataManagerEXE.xml and PlantDataManagerAPI.xml exist locally and are not project settings, these file will not be handled (checked in/out/downloaded).
Saving project with changes
If you save your changes (without closing the project) then the following files are handled: 1.PDMDataCache\_\[USERNAME].dcf => COMMITTED 2.NPO\_\[DWGGUID].xml => COMMITED
Closing project with changes
If you close the project and saving your changes then the following files are handled: 1.PDMDataCache\_\[USERNAME].dcf => CHECKED IN 2.NPO\_\[DWGGUID].xml => CHECKED IN
Refresh project with changes
If you refresh the project and saving your changes then the following files are handled: 1.PDMDataCache\_\[USERNAME].dcf => CHECKED IN 2.NPO\_\[DWGGUID].xml => CHECKED IN 3.Project is opened as described above under **Opening an existing Collaboration project**
Deleting all changes
If you delete all your changes then the following files are handled: 1.PDMDataCache\_\[USERNAME].dcf => DELETED
Open Project in Plant 3D
If you open the project then the following files are handled: 1.PDMDataCache\_\[USERNAME].dcf => DOWNLOADED On project load to show the notification dialogs. 1.NPO\_\[DWGGUID].xml => DOWNLOADED On project load to show the notification dialogs.
Executing NPO Tasks on Project Load
If you open the project then the following files are handled: 1.NPO\_\[DWGGUID].xml => CHECKED OUT/DELETED xml files are checked out one by one. The tasks in the xml files are executed. The xml files will be deleted at the end.
Executing NPO Tasks on Drawing Open
If you open a draqwing then the following files are handled: 1.NPO\_\[DWGGUID].xml => CHECKED OUT/DELETED xml file is checked out. The tasks in the xml file are executed. The xml file will be deleted at the end.
Open PlantDataManagar Plugin
If you open changes in PlantDataManager Plugin then the following files are handled: 1.PDMDataCache\_\[USERNAME].dcf => DOWNLOADED On project load to show the notification dialogs. 1.PDMDataCache\_\[USERNAME].dcf => CHECKED OUT When **Review Changes** or **Accept Changes** is used
Closing PlantDataManagar Plugin
If you close PlantDataManager Plugin and all changes of one PDMDataCache\_\[USERNAME].dcf file are accepted/rejected then the following files are handled: 1.PDMDataCache\_\[USERNAME].dcf => DELETED