Incopy files not updating

Question

Having a problem with Incopy files not updating after designers on Indesign prepare packages on second round of revisions.
First, the designers create an Indesign file and prepare a newly created Incopy package. The editors are able to open the package for the first time. Editors make changes then repackage for designers. Designer then open package from editors and make necessary changes and then repackage back to the editors. At this point, the editors receive a message to replace when opening package. The files open but it doesn't update all the changes that was originally made to it. It as if it is still using the original assignments from the first newly created package. Also, all the assignments have "?" in the assignment window in Incopy. We are unable to figure out how to update the "?" in Incopy or relink or what ever we need to do at this point.
Several things we checked.
1. Unstuffing the package contents from the designers shows all updated file dates. So we know the package contains the newest updated assignment files.
2. If the designers rename the file names on all the assignments in the assignment folder, then repackage. The files open on Incopy with updated changes. But not if the file name remains the same. Also, if the assignment files are all renamed, it doesn't ask to replace anything on Incopy.
At this point. Our only solution is to rename all the assignment files and repackage. But we shouldn't have to be doing this, especially since it adds time to the designers to repackage the files.
Designers using Indesign CS 3 on Mac OS 10.6.4.
Editors using Incopy CS 3 on PC Windows.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

When the InCopy user opens the assignment package for the first time, it unpacks (it's really like a .zip file) into a folder on their hard drive called InCopy Assignments. The folder is located in My Documents on a PC and in the Home > Documents folder on a Mac.
Every unpacked InCopy assignment package goes into a subfolder within this InCopy Assignments parent folder. Each package's folder is named after the *assignment* name (not the name of the package itself, which is usually the same but not always). So if the assignment name is Chapter1.inca, then the subfolder name will be Chapter1.
When the InCopy user repackages it for the designer, it packages a *copy* of this subfolder. This is the subfolder that Bob is suggesting they delete, after sending off the packaged InDesign file. That's a good idea.
If you can't rely on your editors to do that ... many are very leery of throwing anything away ... then your designers should *rename the assignment* in their Assignments panel before creating an InCopy package for the second or third or whatever time. They can just double-click the assignment in the panel, the Assignment Options dialog box opens, and they can change the name from say "Chapter1" to "Chapter1-v2". They click okay, they choose Package for InCopy, and send it off.
When the editor gets this file and double-clicks it, it unpacks into a different subfolder than before: Chapter1-v2, leaving the Chapter1 subfolder intact. So you avoid the prob of duplicate assignments on the InCopy user's hard drive.
FWIW this was much more of a glitch with CS3. Not sure what Adobe did differently, but assignment packages are much more intelligent in CS4 and CS5.
AM