Skip to content

View and open files

The Files tab lists the repository's files with their lock, freeze, and part-number status, and can preview SolidWorks files in the browser.

Prerequisites

  • Signed in and connected.

Browse files

  1. Open the Files tab.
  2. Each row shows the file plus its LFS lock status, freeze status, part number where available, and a read-only Cx badge — the file's cloud-version count (e.g. C3 = 3 distinct published versions). GitMCloud computes Cx identically to the GitM add-in (distinct content, so byte-identical carries-forward don't add a number), so the number always matches what designers see. GitMCloud shows no local (Lx) versions or "you are here" pointer — those need the add-in.
  3. Non-source files carry a class badge — REF (library reference part), DERIVED (neutral/2D export), DOC (document), or IMG (image) — and are read-only: lock, freeze, and part-number actions apply to source files only. Source + library make up the working set shown by default; derived/document/image rows appear when you turn on the outputs chip (your choice is remembered).
  4. Right-click a file for actions (gated by your role):
  5. Share — create a Supplier Exchange share link for this file. Available to roles the repo's Sharing Policy allows (default Engineer and above); requires Exchange to be set up — see Share files with suppliers.
  6. Freeze / Unfreeze — mark the file as frozen (Manager/Administrator; source files).
  7. Allocate part number — assign a part number from the cloud registry (Engineer+; source files).
  8. Release lock — release your LFS lock, or force-release another user's lock (Manager+).

Filter and sort

The Files toolbar (single row) gives you:

  • Search (leftmost, flex) — filter rows by filename as you type.
  • All ▼ / Filter (N) ▼ — grouped filter dropdown:
  • TYPE: Parts / Assemblies / Drawings.
  • CATEGORY: the file buckets (Source / Library / Derived / Documents / Images).
  • LOCK: Locked by me / Locked by others / Not locked.
  • Within a group filters are OR; across groups they are AND. "All" / "Clear" resets everything.
  • The button shows the count of active filters when any are on.
  • Sort ▼ — Name (default, alphabetical) or Lock Status (locked-by-me first, then by-other, then not locked). Applies to the flat list only.
  • ≣ / ⊟ — icon-only List / Tree toggle. In Tree view, non-source files are collected into Library, Derived, and Documents groups below the assembly hierarchy; library parts also appear inline in the tree with a REF badge.

Note: the STATUS group (Placeholder/Downloaded) in the GitM add-in is not shown here — placeholder state is local-PC-only and not applicable in the browser.

Preview a file

GitMCloud picks a preview engine by file type:

  • SolidWorks parts/assemblies and neutral 3D exports (STEP, IGES, STL, Parasolid) — an in-browser 3D viewer. The engine (ShareCAD or APS) can be chosen per-device in Settings.
  • Drawings and DXF — the ShareCAD viewer.
  • PDFs and images — shown inline in the browser.
  • Office documents (Word/Excel/PowerPoint) — not previewable; download or open on GitHub.

For SolidWorks/neutral files through ShareCAD:

  • Public repositories: the file is loaded directly from its raw GitHub URL.
  • Private repositories: GitMCloud resolves a temporary signed download URL (via its lfs-url serverless helper) and ShareCAD fetches the file from the storage CDN.

Share a file with a supplier

Right-click a file → Share to open the share creation dialog. See Share files with suppliers for the full workflow.

"Share" requires a role the Sharing Policy allows (default Engineer and above) and Exchange to be set up for this repository (Settings → Exchange tab). Any bucket can be shared, except native SolidWorks files when an admin has turned off Allow sharing native files.

Expected result

  • The file list reflects the repository on the connected branch.
  • A supported file renders in the in-browser viewer.

Troubleshooting

Symptom Cause Fix
Viewer is blank ShareCAD couldn't render the file (common for large/LFS private files) Download the file or open in SolidWorks. A different 3D viewer is planned.
"Share" is missing from the right-click menu Your role isn't allowed by the Sharing Policy, or Exchange is not set up Check your role (Roles and permissions); set up Exchange in Settings.
A right-click action is disabled Your role doesn't allow it, or it needs SolidWorks See Roles and permissions.
Lock/freeze status looks stale GitMCloud reads current GitHub state on load Refresh.

Known limitations

  • The ShareCAD preview is unreliable for private-repo LFS files — it may render blank. An APS/Autodesk viewer is planned as a replacement but is not shipped. See Known limitations.
  • GitMCloud cannot open files for editing — that's a SolidWorks/GitM operation.