> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.gta.clothing/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.gta.clothing/getting-started/working-together.md).

# Working Together

## Introduction

Collaborating on **Durty Cloth Tool** (DCT) projects with your team is straightforward when using version control systems like Git. This guide explains how to configure and share DCT projects correctly, ensuring seamless collaboration across multiple users.

## Step 1: Enable Sharing for Your Project

<figure><img src="/files/OUmMcH09kJ4sNnvD2ISk" alt=""><figcaption><p>Durty Cloth Tool Project Settings for Sharing and Collaboration</p></figcaption></figure>

1. Open your **Durty Cloth Project** in DCT.
2. Navigate to **Project Settings > Sharing and Collaboration**.
3. Enable the **Force relative file paths to allow for sharing this project** checkbox.

{% hint style="info" %}
This option ensures that the cloth project references all related files and folders using relative paths, making it compatible for sharing.
{% endhint %}

## Step 2: Set Up a Version-Controlled Folder

We’ll use Git and [GitHub](https://github.com/) as an example for creating a version-controlled folder, but this process works with other services like GitLab, Bitbucket, or Azure DevOps.

### Create a Repository on GitHub

1. Go to [GitHub](https://github.com/) and sign in.
2. Create a [**New Repository**](https://github.com/new).
3. Provide a **Repository Name** and set its visibility to **Private** (optional for collaboration within a secure environment).
4. Click **Create Repository**.

## Step 3: Clone the Repository Locally

1. Open your Git client (e.g., Git Bash, GitHub Desktop, or another tool).
2. Clone the repository using the command:

   <pre class="language-git"><code class="lang-git"><strong>git clone https://github.com/username/repository-name.git
   </strong></code></pre>
3. Replace `username` and `repository-name` with your GitHub credentials.
4. After cloning, navigate to the local repository folder on your computer. This will serve as the version-controlled folder where the DCT project files will reside.

### Step 4: Move Your Project Files to the Git Folder

1. Close DCT before proceeding.
2. Move the **`.dctproj`** file and the **`clothproject`** folder into the cloned repository folder. The directory structure should look like this:

```
gitcontrolled_folder
├── clothproject_test
│   └── data
└── clothtest.dctproj
```

3. Reopen DCT and load the project from the Git-controlled folder.

{% hint style="info" %}
In some cases, DCT might prompt you to **relocate the clothproject folder**. This happens if the `.dctproj` file and `clothproject` folder were not originally in the correct relative position. Follow the prompt to ensure everything is correctly linked.
{% endhint %}

## Step 5: Commit and Share the Project

1. Open your Git client and stage the project files:

```git
git add .
```

2. Commit the changes with a message:

```git
git commit -m "Initial commit of Durty Cloth Project"
```

3. Push the changes to the remote repository:

```git
git push origin main
```

4. Share the repository URL with your team members.

## Step 6: Team Members Clone and Load the Project

Team members can now:

1. Clone the repository using the same process as **Step 3**.
2. Open the project in **Durty Cloth Tool** by loading the `.dctproj` file from the Git-controlled folder.

## Benefits of the Shared Project Setting

The **Shared Project** setting ensures:

1. **Independent Build Paths**: Each team member has a personal build output folder, preventing conflicts in build paths.
2. **Relative File Referencing**: Ensures all project-related files are referenced relatively, avoiding path mismatches between collaborators.

## Requirements for Collaboration

* All users must have **Durty Cloth Tool** installed and set up.
* Basic knowledge of Git is recommended for committing, pulling, and pushing changes.