Cloud Storage for Architecture and Engineering — Manage Large CAD Files Across Teams with RcloneView
A single Revit model can exceed 1 GB. AutoCAD drawings with XREFs span hundreds of megabytes. A complete building project with BIM data can reach 50–100 GB. Traditional cloud sync tools choke on files this large.
Architecture and engineering (AEC) firms generate some of the largest individual files in any industry. CAD drawings, BIM models, 3D renders, and point cloud scans are massive, and they need to be shared across distributed teams, backed up reliably, and archived for decades. RcloneView handles the scale.
Manage & Sync All Clouds in One Place
RcloneView is a cross-platform GUI for rclone. Compare folders, transfer or sync files, and automate multi-cloud workflows with a clean, visual interface.
- One-click jobs: Copy · Sync · Compare
- Schedulers & history for reliable automation
- Works with Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, S3, WebDAV, SFTP and more
Free core features. Plus automations available.
The AEC Storage Challenge
File sizes are enormous
| File Type | Typical Size |
|---|---|
| AutoCAD DWG | 10–500 MB |
| Revit RVT | 100 MB–2 GB |
| BIM 360 models | 500 MB–5 GB |
| Point cloud scans | 1–50 GB per scan |
| 3D renders | 100 MB–1 GB per image |
| Complete project archive | 10–100 GB |
Workflow requirements
- Multi-office sync — Teams in different cities need the same project files.
- Subcontractor sharing — External partners need access to specific files.
- Archival — Building projects must be retained for 10+ years (legal requirement in many jurisdictions).
- Version control — Multiple people edit the same model; versions must be tracked.
- Performance — Opening a 1 GB Revit file from cloud sync needs to be fast.
How RcloneView Helps
1) Sync project files between offices
Keep project folders synchronized across offices using scheduled sync:
2) Mount cloud storage for direct access
Mount your cloud storage as a local drive so CAD applications can open files directly:
3) Automated project backup
Schedule nightly backups of active projects:
4) Subcontractor file delivery
Copy deliverables to a subcontractor's Dropbox or Google Drive with a single job:
5) Long-term archive
When projects close, archive to cold storage:
| Active Phase | Archive Phase |
|---|---|
| NAS / Google Drive | S3 Glacier ($4/TB/month) |
| Fast access needed | Rare retrieval |
| $20+/TB/month | $1–4/TB/month |
Recommended Architecture
| Storage | Purpose | Provider |
|---|---|---|
| Local NAS | Active project storage | Synology/QNAP |
| Google Drive / OneDrive | Team collaboration | Workspace/M365 |
| Backblaze B2 | Off-site backup | $6/TB/month |
| S3 Glacier | Long-term archive | $4/TB/month |
Performance Tips for Large Files
- Increase chunk size to 128 MB or higher for large CAD files.
- Use bandwidth limiting during business hours to avoid saturating the office network.
- Use SSD cache for mounted drives to improve CAD application performance.
- Sync during off-hours — schedule overnight for large project updates.
Monitor Large Transfers
Verify Project Integrity
After every sync, verify with Folder Comparison:
For AEC projects, a missing file can mean a missing structural element. Verification isn't optional.
Getting Started
- Download RcloneView from rcloneview.com.
- Connect your NAS, cloud, and archive storage.
- Set up project backup and sync jobs.
- Schedule nightly backups.
- Archive completed projects to cold storage.
Build buildings, not file management workflows.
Related Guides:
Supported Cloud Providers
