Working with GoldSim Models Saved in OneDrive

Multiple problems have been reported by users when running Goldsim models that are saved in OneDrive. Below are descriptions of the problems being reported to us.

Issue 1: Excel Import/Export Interrupted: A sync delay interferes with GoldSim's interaction with external files during a simulation and cause unexpected behavior.

Issue 2: Unexpected DLL behavior: Unexpected termination of GoldSim during a simulation due to an issue with a custom DLL that interacts with the model. 

Issue 3: Lingering Excel Processes: An Excel process continues running after the model (with link to an Excel file) completes a simulation.

Solution

The simplest solution to these types of problems is to run models from a local directory then save new versions to OneDrive after changes are made.

If you need to run models from a Cloud file location, try these solutions to avoid issues noted above:

1. Always keep on this device: This setting will avoid delays in downloading a file from the Cloud before GoldSim needs to use it. In File Explorer, right-click on the file(s) interacting with your GoldSim model and choose the OneDrive command, "Always keep on this device"

2. Change your Excel settings: This is specific to models that interact with Excel. Within Excel, go to File -> Options -> Save and uncheck the “autosave files stored in the Cloud by default in Excel” option.

3. Cloud Drive App Settings: To change the setting for all Office files instead of just Excel, go to the OneDrive app settings and uncheck the "Use Office applications to sync Office files that I open" box in the OneDrive app settings, as described in this forum post: Sharing issue with GoldSim and Microsoft Excel files on OneDrive (note: access might be restricted to administrator privileges).

Best Practices

Regardless of whether you use a cloud-based file system or not, we recommend that you establish a procedure for managing different versions of your models. Establish a file management procedure that everyone in your group adheres to when sharing files on a local or cloud network. GoldSim provides a built-in feature that enables tracking of the model version along with version notes, enhancing the file management process. The key to effective file management is consistency and communication.

If you decide that part of your procedure is to work on a local copy of the model then save it back to the Cloud, you can use a batch script that automates the process of checking out and checking in your GoldSim model files. Refer GoldSim Model File Check-Out/Check-In for more information on how to implement this. 

We hope this article helps you avoid and resolve any issues when working with GoldSim models saved in OneDrive. If you encounter any other issues, please don’t hesitate to reach out.