I use ITEM TYPES quite a bit, and have come across some interesting "issues". Some of which will be resolved in updates, some I can workaround.
However, this one is one that SHOULD work because the environment is a standard Windows tool - i.e. Offline Files.
- I cannot save Item Types Instance file to an Offline Folder when working Offline.
Workflow to reach the issue (jump straight to 4 if you are already using ITEM TYPES in your test drawing).
- Create ITEM TYPE library
- Attach to element in drawing (does not appear to matter how, whether by INSERTED CELL or directly to ELEMENT)
- Enter the data into the ITEM TYPE fields
- Drawing, Content, Item Types, Import/Export
- Select Instance, Export, Selection type = All, then select the ellipses "..." to choose a path
- Use the "Browse for Folder" dialogue to locate my path where the file is to be exported to
- This is where the issue arises. The path is accepted, and file exported, only if:
- C:
- D: (also a physical hard drive)
- One Drive
- SharePoint Sync folder
- Network Path or Drive letter pointing to a Network Path
but NOT for a Network Path or Drive letter pointing to a Network Path when Working Offline (Using Windows Offline Files)
Erorr is: INVALID FOLDER PATH SPECIFIED
I know I'm probably in the minority in using Windows Offline Files, but I really feel this should be fully supported.
I suspect the implementation is not quite Windows 100% compliant because I have no problems with any other software (including Microstation) reading and writing to Offline Folders when Offline.
FWIW. Two other potential deviations from a "typical" machine:
1. Because my C: drive is small, I moved the Windows Offlne Folder Local Resource Location to my D: drive. FWIW. I am well within the LImits set for Offline Folder disc space allocation.
2. My physical drives (C: and D:) are SSD
Client Machine: CE U13 Windows 10 Enterprise (Latest Updates)
Network Server: Windows Server 2003