Best set-up to collaborate on files in project folders

[Oaks]

I'm a draftsperson and dropbox novice with a free dropbox account. I have been drafting for a designer for a few weeks who uses manages his entire project file structure in dropbox. He shares specific project dropbox folders with me so that I carry out work on project files he creates within the folders. The issues I have experienced are:

1. My account space is filling up with those folders shared with me.
2. I cannot open a file directly out of the shared dropbox folder - I need to download it to my computer - work on the file, save and upload to dropbox again.

3. It see this way that folders and files are duplicated and so is the risk of not knowing whether a shared file is the most up to date file.

Is there a set-up best geared so that the designer can provide me access to his dropbox project folders/files so that:

1. Those folders do not take-up space on my dropbox account?

2. I do not have to download to my computer to work on the file?
3. Avoid duplication?

[Megan]

Hi @Oaks, welcome to our Community! 

Let's cut to the chase. There is no way to achieve all 3 of the points you pointed out. 

Shared folders work exactly like you mentioned, by occupying space both on the sender's and the recipient's Dropbox account. The alternative for that, would be a shared link however you'd need to download the content, in order for you to be able to work on them. 

You also mentioned some duplicated files. Do you notice that on your account online? Also, do you have our app installed on your device in order for you to work from there?

Keep me posted, and we'll take it from there!

[Oaks]

Hi Megan

Thanks so much for your reply.
I've been having difficulty with the app installer failing to complete the install download on my iMac (os Catalina 10.15.7).
In the meantime I've been using dropbox online.
As you kindly cleared up for me, shared files occupy both account holder's dropbox accounts. How then do I clean-up/clear my account of the folders shared to me that I no longer need access to?

By 'folder/file duplication' I refer to those shared folders/files that occupy both accounts of those sharing the folders/files - is that not a duplication - x2 sets of the same folder/file? If I work on and so  update my copy of a shared file, downloaded from my account, does that not leave he/she, who shares with me the same file, with an un-updated copy on their account? This area is grey to me 
I really appreciate your guidance Megan

[Megan]

Hi @Oaks, thanks for clarifying! 

In regards to the duplicated files: when I share a folder with you, we both have the same copy of said folder. 

We are both working on the same folder, it shouldn't create a duplicate. As for the app, essentially the app creates a Dropbox folder, with all of your content locally to the device, so you can work on the file there. No need to download content manually, files and folders sync automatically when you use the app. 

You can use the steps mentioned here, in order to remove content you no longer need to have in your account. 

[Oaks]

Thanks so much for your help Megan 👌 😅