Hammer, Instances, and Dropbox

EArkham

Necromancer
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Aug 14, 2009
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Another mapper and I are working on a collaborative project. We're using Source SDK 2009 and instances, and sharing the vmf files via a shared dropbox folder so that the files stay updated pretty much instantly.

It's working well, but Hammer doesn't instantly update when the dropbox files do. We have to reload the vmf to see the changes. It's only a minor hassle, but could be improved upon methinks.

Is there any way to force Hammer to refresh itself as files are updated for real time changes?

BOOJAM SNARK, I CHOOSE YOU!
 

A Boojum Snark

Toraipoddodezain Mazahabado
aa
Nov 2, 2007
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7,669
Wasn't expecting to find my name here, but I'm afraid I can't be of much help. I'm not aware of anything that could help out here since it wasn't really designed with such a case in mind.
 

EArkham

Necromancer
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Aug 14, 2009
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I invoked your name 'cause I know you're extremely well versed with the ins-and-outs of the tech side of Hammer. Maybe I should invoke Terr's name? Heh.

It's a strange case, though, because if you save the instance yourself, it updates automatically in the main map. It just doesn't update without reopening if the save is done via dropbox.
 

A Boojum Snark

Toraipoddodezain Mazahabado
aa
Nov 2, 2007
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Well VMFs are loaded into memory in Hammer, that's where the editing changes occur, saving just writes them to disk. Thus instances update real-time (even to the extent of showing selections) as you edit, regardless of saving. Hammer never actually looks back at the disk unless you tell it to load something.
 

xzzy

aa
Jan 30, 2010
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I would guess it has to do with the processes that are updating the file on the local disk.. Hammer will pick up on updates of the instance without saving. As soon as you swap windows, the new geometry shows up.

So I'm guessing Hammer is actually monitoring memory for updates, and doesn't catch when Dropbox changes the file on disk.

Kind of unfortunate, really, because it would be pretty awesome for mapping teams.

edit - oops, posts appeared as I was typing
 

EArkham

Necromancer
aa
Aug 14, 2009
1,625
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Even with the minor annoyance of having to reload the map to update instances, it's a pretty nice way of collaborating. And since dropbox gives you a notification whenever a file updates, you know when you should reopen.

[Edit] Imagine how awesome hammer would be if we could use scripting like python or something to create plugins!
 
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