How Helix Sync works

Helix Core Server provides a central storage area for all of your shared assets. All of the files on the Helix Core Server are version controlled and accessible by Helix Sync. Helix Sync lets you upload and download files to Helix Core Server or Helix DAM and shows when new versions of files are available for you.

Helix Sync uses workspaces to store local copies of files on your computer. Helix Sync connects to the Helix Core Server, which hosts repositories of files under source control.

Basic Helix Sync workflow

  1. Helix Sync notifies you if there are newer versions of files on the Helix Core Server. Download files you need to your workspace. See Download changes.

  2. Add, edit, rename, and delete files in your workspace as you normally do when working on a project. See Work with files in your workspace.

  3. Upload the files to the Helix Core Server using Helix Sync. See Upload changes. Your uploaded files are available to the other Helix Sync users connected to the Helix Core Server.

    Tip

    Downloading and uploading files regularly can help to minimize file conflicts with other Helix Sync users.

Use Helix Core Server or Helix DAM

You can choose to either use Helix Core or Helix DAM to store your files.

Helix Core Server is recommended if you already use Perforce workspaces and you are able to create new workspaces. If you are already familiar with Helix Core Server, you may prefer to use that. To use Helix Core Server, see Use Helix Sync with Helix Core Server.

Helix DAM is recommended if your administrator has deployed a Helix DAM instance in your organization. Helix DAM provides a simplified workflow that lets you work with DAM projects and collections. No knowledge of Helix Core Server is needed. To use Helix DAM, see Use Helix Sync with Helix DAM.

Terminology

  • Conflict: Conflicts can occur when two users edit and try to submit two versions of the same file to the Helix Core Server.
  • Helix Core Server: The application that manages the revisions of your assets. Also known as Helix Core Server or P4D.
  • Helix DAM: Helix Digital Asset Management (DAM) is a web-based interface that streamlines and secures the process of finding, reviewing, using, repurposing, and sharing assets.
  • Helix Core Visual Client (P4V): A desktop application that provides access to versioned files on the Helix Core Server through a graphical interface. P4V can be used to set up your Helix Sync workspaces.
  • Workspace: The folder on your computer where you work with your copies of assets in files and folders managed by Helix Core Server.