In this quick sheet, you’ll learn our recommended best practices for managing Leica Infinity files inside 12d Synergy.
If you are using Leica, use managed folders.
How to use the 12d Synergy plugin in Leica
1.Managing Leica Infinity Using Managed Folders in 12d Synergy
1.1. Recommended File Structure
One of the unique features of 12d Synergy is its ability to track changes to a folder of files rather than individual files themselves. This happens in a Managed Folder. This means that you can check out the managed folder and add, delete, or update files in it. 12d Synergy can then manage these changes at check-in time by uploading all the changes to the server. If a folder is managed, it means that you cannot check out files individually; you must work with the whole folder at one time. A managed folder is displayed as a blue folder 
.
When using Leica Infinity within 12d Synergy, the entire project database can be checked out as a managed folder, ensuring the integrity of all associated files.
Additionally, the local 12d Synergy path can be used as the Project Location inside Leica Infinity (as shown in the image below), as all project data will be stored in the local 12d Synergy path when the managed folder is checked out.
1.2. Creating Managed Folders
In the 12d Synergy Client application, right-click the required job or folder from the tree structure under which you want to create a new managed folder, and select the New > Folder option or click the New Folder
icon from the top ribbon.
The Create a Folder window is displayed.
Enter a name for the new folder in the New folder box.
Select the Managed Folder? checkbox.
Click the Create button.
A new managed folder is created.
1.3. Working with Managed Folders
In the 12d Synergy Client application, select the managed folder that holds the files or subfolders you want to work on.
Click the Check Out
icon in the quick access toolbar.
All the files or subfolders in the managed folder are checked out. You can now open an individual file from the managed folder and update it.Now, right-click the same managed folder from the tree structure and select the Explore option.
The selected managed folder is opened in Windows Explorer.
Make the required changes to the files (update, add or delete files).
Close the Windows Explorer.
In the 12d Synergy Client application, select the updated managed folder in the tree structure.
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Right-click the folder and select the Check-in option, or click the Check In
icon on the quick access ribbon, as shown in the above image.
You will then be prompted to enter a change description, which will be recorded in the history of your managed folder.
During the process of checking out files, data is cached to your workspace. This workspace is installed on a local drive, such as the C:\ or D:\ drive, whichever is utilised during the initial installation of the program.
Commonly, large point cloud datasets are not stored in the 12d Synergy environment. Rather, the extracted points, lines and polygons, with the raw point cloud data being referenced from an external drive.
If data retention is required, the raw point cloud data can be stored within the 12d Synergy environment.
For example, point clouds related to monitoring may be kept for traceability and to safeguard against data loss. On the other hand, point clouds used for capturing one-off datasets, such as pre-design ground information (Greenfield Estates), may be kept in their raw form at an external location while the extracted features can be stored within the 12d Synergy environment.If the dataset is too large to store on your local drive, it can be offlined to a separate location.
For more details about Offlining folders, please refer to the 12d Synergy knowledge base.
1.4. Library/Template files
Leica Infinity Library or template files also have their place in 12d Synergy. We recommend housing them as folders in a library job, central to your system. Ensure that all applicable users have at least view/read permissions. Once the files are centrally located, one of the following approaches may be used to ensure that the current information is available to the user.
To house library information in 12d Synergy, all users must have their workspace installed on the same local drive (C:\ or D:\, etc.).
1.4.1. ‘Get All’ and Notifications
All users who require the Leica Infinity library can perform a Get All function on the library folders to have a copy of the library in their local workspace. The path to the version on the local workspace can then be used for the pathing in Leica Infinity.
This process enables the customisation to work with the Leica Infinity software while maintaining it in one location on 12d Synergy for easy updating. Also, we suggest adding a notification to the folder. It’s a great way to ensure all staff are aware of any updates to the Leica Infinity library folder.
For more details about Notifications, please access the 12d Synergy Knowledge Base.
1.4.2. Download Dependency Rule
A download dependency rule is a way to automate performing a Get All in 12d Synergy. This makes working with files easier by getting any of the necessary peripheral information automatically during the process of opening the file. It can be set up for any folder within your project.
To set up a Download Dependency rule on your system, you require administrative access.
A simplified process for setting up a download dependency rule is mentioned below:
Right-click the Managed Folder and select the Edit Folder option.
In the Edit a Folder window, select the Rules panel on the left.
Then select the Download Dependency Rules tab at the top.
Click the
button in the upper right to bring up the Add Download Dependency Rule window.Name the rule and select the Download Dependencies from a specific folder option as the Mode.
Click the ellipsis
button, navigate to and select the TBC Library folder as the Specific Folder Path. Click Add and then click Save on the Edit a Folder window.
Creating a managed folder and download dependency rule in your template will ensure it is rolled out across all your Jobs, with no further input required.
For more details about Download Dependencies, please access the 12d Synergy Knowledge Base.
2.How to Use the 12d Synergy Plugin in Leica
Leica Infinity now supports a 12d Synergy connection in its latest release. This integration enables users to import and export data in and out of 12d Synergy directly from within Infinity.
Disclaimer
The integration is not compatible with Single Sign On (SSO) or Two-factor authentication.
Part 1: Set up the Integration in the 12d Synergy
In the 12d Synergy Administration application, select the System Settings tab > Web Access tab > Auth Clients tab.
Click the
button.
The Auth Client window is displayed.
Enter “LeicaInfinity” (one word, without a space) in the Id box.
Enter the remaining details in the Auth Client window and click the Save button.
The Leica Integration is created and is displayed in the Auth Clients tab (in System Settings tab > Web Access tab).
Select the LeicaIntegration row and click the Copy API Key String button. Save this value in Notepad or a text document, as we will need this in the next procedure.
Part 2: Set up the Integration in Leica Infinity
Open Leica Infinity and select Services > 12d Synergy.
Do the following configuration:
Enter the Company’s Server address (remote or local server’s address) in the URL box.
Paste the API Key value that you saved in Step 5 of Part 1(above procedure) in the API Key box.
Enter your 12d Synergy username in the Username box.
Enter the password you use to access 12d Synergy in the Password box.
If you have forgotten your 12d Synergy password, you can reset it from the 12d Synergy Administration application.
Click the Connect button.
The status of the connection is displayed against the button.