> 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/plantlink/collaboration-workflows/general-workflow.md).

# General Workflow

This chapter describes the general workflows when using PlantLink with Collaboration project.

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<summary>Configurations Files of PlantLink</summary>

These are the files used by PlantLink 1.**PlantLink.xml** This file exist in each project (\[PROJCTFOLDER]\ACPlantTools\PlantLink\PlantLink.xml). In the project, all settings from the Settings dialog are stored.

![](/files/Q3oCkH54yxADfAI0l1I6)

2.**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.*

![](/files/3rmdkFzQ6VQnncSfdQyK)

*3.**LinkConfiguration.Collection.xml** The \[PROJCTFOLDER]\ACPlantTools\PlantLink\LinkConfiguration.Collection.xml holds a list of available lcf files in the project. 4.**\*.lcf files** The \[PROJCTFOLDER]\ACPlantTools\PlantLink\\*.lcf files are the configuration files of PlantLink in your project. 5.**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.

![](/files/wlVMwKRDjKbg6KvVISz1)

6.**Files in Project Manager**

![](/files/BoIRHHs9D9UOJhhXzEFY)

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<summary>Opening/Downloading an existing Collaboration project</summary>

This is handled if the project doesn't exist in the work folder yet and everything needs to be downloaded from scratch. 1.PlantLink.xml => DOWNLOADED 2.SQL Script files (\*.sql) => DOWNLOADED 3.LinkConfiguration.Collection.xml => DOWNLOADED 4.\*.lcf files => DOWNLOADED 5.Related files => DOWNLOADED

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<summary>Sharing an existing project (which is already setup for PlantLink) to ACC</summary>

When sharing a project with PlantLink files the following files are handled: 1.PlantLink.xml => CHECKED IN 2.SQL Script files (\*.sql) => CHECKED IN 3.LinkConfiguration.Collection.xml => CHECKED IN 4.\*.lcf files => CHECKED IN 5.Related files => CHECKED IN

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<summary>Opening Main Dialog</summary>

If you open the Main Dialog of PlantLink the following files are handled: 1.LinkConfiguration.Collection.xml => CHECKED OUT

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<summary>Closing Main Dialog</summary>

If you close the Main Dialog of PlantLink the following files are handled: 1.LinkConfiguration.Collection.xml => CHECKED IN Deleted \*.lcf files will be removed from the LinkConfiguration.Collection.xml. Added or imported \*.lcf files will be added to the LinkConfiguration.Collection.xml.

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<summary>Opening Settings Dialog</summary>

If you open the settings dialog of PlantLink the following files are handled: 1.PlantLink.xml => CHECKED OUT

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<summary>Closing Settings Dialog</summary>

If you close the settings dialog of PlantLink the following files are handled: 1.PlantLink.xml => CHECKED IN

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<summary>Opening PId/P3d SQL Script Dialog</summary>

If you open the PId or P3d SQL Script dialog the following files are handled: 1.SQL Scrip files (\*.sql) => CHECKED OUT

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<summary>Closing PId/P3d SQL Script Dialog</summary>

If you open the PId or P3d SQL Script dialog the following files are handled: 1.SQL Scrip files (\*.sql) => CHECKED IN

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<summary>Deleting a Link Configuration</summary>

If you delete a Link Configuration the following files are handled: 1.\*.lcf file => DELETED This includes the removal of the \*.lcf file from the work folder as well as the removal on BIM360.

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<details>

<summary>Creating a new Link Configuration</summary>

If you add a new Link Configuration the following files are handled: 1.\*.lcf file => CHECKED IN 2.Related files => CHECKED IN

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<summary>Editing an existing Link Configuration</summary>

If you edit a Link Configuration the following files are handled: 1.\*.lcf file => CHECKED OUT

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<summary>Closing Wizard</summary>

If you edit a Link Configuration the following files are handled: 1.If Link Configuration was renamed then Old \*.lcf => DELETED New \*.lcf => CHECKED IN Rename file name in LinkConfiguration.Collection.xml 2.The LinkConfiguration.Collection.xml will later be checked in when closing the Main Dialog

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<details>

<summary>Importing a Link Configuration</summary>

If you import a Link Configuration the following files are handled: 1.\*.calc => Copied to the project => CHECKED IN

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<details>

<summary>Edit a Link Configuration without using PlantLink Wizard</summary>

Sometimes it is more convenient to adapt the configuration directly in the \*.lcf file without using the Wizard. This is how you do this: 1. Open your collaboration project in AutoCAD Plant 3D 2. Open the PlantLink Main Dialog 3. Select the configuration you want to modify 4. Click on the **Edit** button to open the Wizard This checks out the \*.lcf file. 5. Click on **Cancel** to close the Wizard The \*.lcf file will still be checked out. Do not close the Main Dialog yet. 6. Open the \*.lcf file under \[PROJECTFOLDER]\ACPlantTools\PlantLink in a text editor 7. Make your modifications in the file and save and close it 8. Click on **Refresh** in the Main Dialog This will read the \*.lcf file again so you see if there are any error in the file. 9. Close the Main Dialog This checks in the \*.lcf file.

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