Simoultainous editing with InDesign document and Drop box

[flygraphics]

Simultaneous editing with InDesign document while the original is online. Is there a way that two people can work on a document, but NOT be able to if the other person has the document open?

As example:

I made a book file with multiple documents. There are two primary designers who will work on these. They are up on a Dropbox folder where we use both the application and the browser application. The browser app allows you to see when someone edited anything as it's a history. I know when you open a document, InDesign creates the lock file where the document is stored. Is there a way to ensure that the file is locked and cannot be opened by another person, or anyone for that matter?

Basically ensure that two people can work through a book and on different documents within, and not interfere with editing, or cause conflicted copies.

[BobLevine]

Pick up the phone and communicate. The lock files don't sync so that's really the only way to avoid conflicted copies.

[flygraphics]

Doing this would consume time. I'm looking to create a smooth workflow. If I was to start working on a file, or wanted to work on a file, I would have to stop and wait for a reply from the others who would be sharing files. This is counterintuitive to a good production workflow. A good workflow should allow for each user to work without having to stop and reach out to others. 

I'm looking to improve workflow, not include more steps. Perhaps this should be a request for Adobe to incorporate some new script into the software that would work intuitively. 

[BobLevine]

Well, it's the same for every cloud storage service that I've used. Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive (which is one I would avoid) and even Adobe's own CC Storage act the same. InCopy lock files do sync and make InCopy workflows very smooth.

I haven't needed to use it, but Kasyan did post a link to his script, so give that a try.

[rob day]

Hi @flygraphics , If the lock files did sync and a collaborator trying to open a locked file got a "File in use" message, how would a case like this work: I’m working on a laptop, open the file, make a change, save and close the laptop with out closing the InDesign document, and leave on vacation. The file would be locked to the other collaborators until I return from vacation.

[BobLevine]

That's what happens when InCopy is closed improperly. 

[rob day]

I wouldn’t vote for that feature.

[Kasyan Servetsky · Accepted solution]

Check out my Warn about documents open on DropBox script.
See  also Prevent InDesign to open a document multiple times by Max Schmidt.

[flygraphics]

Thanks! That script works great. Once I had assigned each user their name in the panel dialogue, the warning came up. Though the document still opened for them, the warning is good for now. At least others can be aware that someone else is working on a document.