Note that if I use the default Paperclip :path (i.e. not setting this attribute and files going to public/system), everything is fine. This question is to do with setting an alternative path. I have a model using paperclip for a file with a custom path: has_attached_file :tu_raw_bill_csv, :path => "../ncc_billing_filestore/:attachment/:id/:style/:filename" The uploaded document gets saved correctly to the set path above, i.e.: /system/tu_raw_bill_csvs/7/original/integral_tu_raw_bill_csv.txt?1297787632 However, the problem I am having is that when I present a link to the file in the view (model#tu_raw_bill_csv.url), it holds the following url: http://localhost:3000/system/tu_raw_bill_csvs/7/original/integral_tu_raw_bill_csv.txt?1297787632 As well, if I interrogate my model for the file url and path I get this url, which is clearly not where the file got saved: @billing_run.tu_raw_bill_csv /system/tu_raw_bill_csvs/7/original/integral_tu_raw_bill_csv.txt?1297787632 Then, of course when I navigate the link, I get a routing error, and even if I did not, the file would not be there. So really two questions: (1) Why is paperclip saving the wrong path (this looks like the default paperclip path)? Am I missing an attribute declaration? I am reading the information on interpolations but don''t see where I am going wrong. (2) As for accessing files, locally or anywhere I guess I can either go through a controller (for increased security) or provide the direct url (using S3 I found it seamless to provide the direct url, assuming I did not care so much about security). Would going through a controller action be the best pratice if I want to protect the file from non-logged in access? Also, if I want to use an alternative path no in ''public'' then how to go about thei without going through a controller action? I guess I could symlink my datastore to within the public directiory --- would this be the best way to do this? Thanks, David -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Ruby on Rails: Talk" group. To post to this group, send email to rubyonrails-talk-/JYPxA39Uh5TLH3MbocFF+G/Ez6ZCGd0@public.gmane.org To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rubyonrails-talk+unsubscribe-/JYPxA39Uh5TLH3MbocFF+G/Ez6ZCGd0@public.gmane.org For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rubyonrails-talk?hl=en.