Discussion: can't Dropbox OCAD files

I'm trying to share an OCAD file in a Dropbox folder, but when I try to open the OCAD file from a Dropbox location, I get a "file not found" message from OCAD. Happened with both an OCAD 10 and an OCAD 6 file. Both files work fine from their original location, and from other copied locations. But not from a copy put in a Dropbox folder. Tested several Dropbox folders, shared, unshared, from the Dropbox folder on my computer, from the Dropbox folder online. None of them would open. Anyone else ever have this problem? How did you overcome it?

Have you downloaded it from Dropbox to your computer then tried to open it? It sounds like you're trying to open it directly from Dropbox.

Thanks for the suggestion, but sadly it didn't work. Still get the same error message, the entire file path name, then "file not found." Path name is always correct, whether I download to my desktop or into a file tree. But still no go.

never had a problem on lots of computers, make sure it's fully transferred though (as in the dropbox icon in the taskbar of your computer has the green tick)

I can not do certain DB actions at work, like download a file from a specific link that someone sent me. I can save to my DB and then download the file. At home, I don't have this problem.

Are you trying to share a file with someone else (send them a link), or download and use a file that someone shared with you (click on a link)?

Either way: is the problem that you can download the file from Dropbox and save to desktop, but then when you double-click to open the file you get that error? If so, is the OCAD file looking for a missing dependency: a background image or symbol set?

Is this in normal Windows, or are you running in Parallels or something?

If you can't download via link from Dropbox to desktop, it is probably a link permissions issue, having to do with the age of the file. Dropbox had a security issue a few months ago and locked all links. More on that if you reply with that (download) as the problem, but it doesn't sound like that.

And finally: e-mail the link if you want another pair if eyes to take a look. I promise discretion. :)

I am able to open OCAD files directly from a Drop-box folder both at work and at home. Its very seamless. So I would guess the trouble is not with drop-box.

I have downloaded OCAD files from dropbox though it was a couple months ago.

Maybe there was a non-ISOM symbol in the OCAD file and Dropbox rejected it.

Here's more info on the problem. I created a folder with an OCAD map and several subfolders, including subfolders containing the background maps. I copied the entire folder into a shared Dropbox. Then I downloaded the OCAD map from the shared Dropbox online to my desktop. I wanted to open the file and relink the background maps before sharing with my clubmate who is also working on this map. But I can't get the file downloaded from the Dropbox website to open. When it's a question of missing background maps, the OCAD file normally opens, but with a series of error messages asking if you want to hunt for the missing background maps. But in my current annoying situation, I can't get the map to open at all. No problem opening the original OCAD file, though. Only the version sent to Dropbox and then downloaded from there.

I created a new Dropbox un-shared folder, "test," to see if that would help. No good. I even tried that old standby, turn off the computer and reboot. No luck. I'm using Windows 7, Firefox, OCAD 10. Nothing custom or unusual.

If anybody wants to take a look, here's the "test" Dropbox:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rx6a67vk0czbf0u/AACYLQc...

to tRicky: I did create several custom symbols and colors in the OCAD file. (I don't know what a non-ISOM symbol is, though.) Is there any way to see what size the files are on Dropbox? I'm using the free version of Dropbox, and the only info the Dropbox webpage gives me is the file name, kind, and when it was last modified, so I can't tell if the OCAD file is just an empty shell, with the right file name but no guts. It's certainly acting like an empty file.

Just looked up "non-ISOM symbol." Yes, the OCAD file does have several custom non-ISOM symbols. Why would the Dropbox software take any note of something like that?

tRicky strikes again...

Did another test. Saved the OCAD file directly from OCAD to the Dropbox test folder, rather than copying and pasting the file using Windows Explorer. Still no luck.

mapD, i succesfully opened your file by link https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rx6a67vk0czbf0u/AACYLQc...

p.s. I'm looking mapmaking job or job near orienteering in US. May be I can help You?

I've found a solution. Since others could open my Dropboxed OCAD file, but I couldn't, the problem seems to be something in my computer. I post the solution here in case anyone else ever runs into this issue.

I had been trying to open the OCAD files by double-clicking on them. This works when using Windows Explorer for the OCAD files native to my computer. But when using that technique on files downloaded from Dropbox, all I was getting was an OCAD error message.

What finally worked was starting OCAD, then opening the downloaded file using the OCAD "open file" command.

I know exactly what you are talking about. I get that for Excel files sometimes/often. It has to deal with how the files are locked/partially locked within Windows by Dropbox. When Windows Explorer passes the file to OCAD to open, OCAD most likely thinks the file isn't readable, or something like that.

Not the same but have had problems where Dropbox was implicated. I am a DB novice, I upload to folders I have created and I invite others to share them. I'm told this isn't necessarily the best way.

Anyway, after uploading OCAD files, or backgrounds, I find I can't open the OCAD file that resides on MY computer. (I can download and open the copy from DB.) Signing out of DB appears to fix the problem. Seems that my method locks up the files somehow.