AU08 CD111 1 Vault Basics

12/2/2008 - 1:15 pm - 2:45 pm Room:Lido 3106 (PTD)
The Basics of Autodesk® Vault

Irvin Hayes - , Autodesk
and Brian Schanen
CD111-1 Get a jump start on your Vault implementation or brush up on some workflows with this
introductory course. You'll learn the essentials of Autodesk Vault from implementation to daily
usage.
About the Speaker:
Stay Connect with AU all year at www.autodeskuniversity.com

r
The Basics of Autodesk Vault
Table of Contents
Autodesk Vault .............................................................................................................................................. 4
The Vault Environment.................................................................................................................................. 4
Vault Applications.......................................................................................................................................... 5
Vault Explorer............................................................................................................................................ 5
ADMS Console.......................................................................................................................................... 6
A Closer Look at Vault Explorer ................................................................................................................ 7
Client Add-Ins................................................................................................................................................ 8
Vault Add-In for Autodesk Inventor ........................................................................................................... 8
Vault Add-In for AutoCAD Mechanical ...................................................................................................... 9
Vault Add-In for Microsoft Office ............................................................................................................. 10
Getting Started ............................................................................................................................................ 11
Logging into the Vault ............................................................................................................................. 11
The Vault Folder Structure ...................................................................................................................... 13
The Working Folder................................................................................................................................. 14
Vault Features ............................................................................................................................................. 15
Version Control........................................................................................................................................ 15
Check In / Check Out .............................................................................................................................. 16
The Uses Tab.......................................................................................................................................... 17
The Where Used Tab.............................................................................................................................. 18
The View Tab (Automatic DWF Creation)............................................................................................... 19
The Rename Wizard ............................................................................................................................... 20
Intelligent Copy Design ........................................................................................................................... 21
Attachments ............................................................................................................................................ 22
Property Indexing .................................................................................................................................... 22
Advanced Searching ............................................................................................................................... 24
Summary..................................................................................................................................................... 25
References .................................................................................................................................................. 28
3
Autodesk Vault
Autodesk Vault is an easy-to-use data management tool integrated with more than a dozen Autodesk
CAD products – including Autodesk Inventor® Series, Autodesk Inventor® Professional, AutoCAD®
Mechanical, and AutoCAD®. Autodesk Vault helps design teams track work-in-progress documents,
maintain version control in a multi-user environment, and improve design reuse by consolidating product
information in one central database. This document will offer greater insight into the nature of Vault and
how to use it. Furthermore, it will describe some of the value-added features that optimize your
investment in your design data.
The Vault Environment

The Vault is a true client-server application that allows users to manage and control their Autodesk
Inventor data – as well as other related files – in a secure, centralized location. One of the keys to
understanding how to work in this environment is to understand its various components.
In the illustration below (left), you can see how multiple clients are connected to a common server. The
recommended configuration is a single server dedicated to data management (dedicated means that
other competing business applications do not interfere with the operation of the vault software). Multiple
clients can log into this common server in order to access and manipulate data in a controlled manner.
The server itself is made up of three main components (shown below, right): the web server, the
database, and the file store.
Client 2
Client 1 Client 3 Database
Web Server File Store
Dedicated Server Inside the Dedicated Server
The web server uses Microsoft® Internet Information Services (IIS) to communicate with the other
components via Web Services using HTTP protocol. The database stores all of the metadata. Metadata
is extracted from files when they are added to the vault so clients can quickly search for important
information without opening the files themselves. By default, Autodesk Vault installs Microsoft® SQL
2005 Express Edition to capture metadata from files and manage data access. This metadata includes
properties and file relationships that are crucial to the operation of the vault. The database server makes
this data readily available so you can quickly get to the information that you need. The file store uses
your file system to store the actual files; these files are kept separate from the database in order for the
database to remain lightweight and fast. However, database relationships ensure that you can retrieve
your files whenever you need to examine them or make edits.
4
The recommended server configuration is shown in the illustration above. Although there are multiple
possible configurations for the three main components, it is recommended that you maintain the database
and file store on the same dedicated server machine for the fastest and most reliable performance. For
more information on the pros/cons of various deployment options, please follow this link:
http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/Vault.pdf.
Vault Applications
A vault client is any application that connects to the vault server to perform vault-related operations. A
typical Vault environment includes several clients that interact with the server concurrently.
Vault Explorer
Vault Explorer is a standalone client application that allows you to browse the vault structure,
perform searches, access stored files, and manipulate the data in the vault; it is your ‘window
into the vault’. Vault Explorer is organized like Windows Explorer or Microsoft Outlook; it has a
folder tree on the left and a list of associated files on the right. Because the vault requires a secure user
name and password for accessibility, your data is safe from unauthorized access – thereby preventing
unwanted change.
In addition to providing controlled

access to your engineering data,
Vault Explorer also offers the ability
to search for files based on
advanced criteria, view ‘Where
Used’ information about your
designs, examine assembly
structure, and view your model or
drawing interactively using DWF
(both 2D and 3D DWF viewing is
supported).
Vault Explorer is especially

advantageous for operations that
are normally performed outside the
context of your CAD application.
For example, special utilities allow
you to rename or copy design files
while repairing affected references throughout the vault. You can also examine file status to determine
when a file was last edited or who currently has a file reserved.
5
ADMS Console
Autodesk Data Management Server (ADMS) Console (below, right) is a standalone application
that allows you to create and manage vaults and view statistics relating to your vault databases
on a particular server. This application is only accessible on the server by the vault
administrator.
The ADMS Console provides a wide range of

services for managing your vaults. You can track
the size of both the database and file store, and
this data can help you determine if you need to re-
index properties, purge unwanted file versions, or
defragment the database – which all can be done
within the console itself.
However, one of the more important functions of

the ADMS Console is facilitating backup and
restore. Creating a backup plan is essential.
ADMS Console includes a backup utility that
packages all necessary data to restore a server if
a failure should happen.
6
A Closer Look at Vault Explorer

Vault Explorer is the user’s main interface for examining the vault outside of the context of the CAD
applications. Along with the standard interface paradigms (i.e. menu, toolbar, and status bar), Vault
Explorer is made up of three main interface components (below):
• Navigation Pane
Folder structure (including search folders and shortcuts) Main View
• Main View Navigation
List of files per folder (including properties and status) Pane
• Preview Pane Preview Pane
File details (including file relationships)
From the user’s perspective, the starting point of this familiar-style interface is the Navigation Pane
(below, left). This pane contains the user-specified folder structure. When you select a folder in the
Navigation Pane, the contents (i.e. files) are displayed in the Main View. When the user selects one of
the files in the Main View, the details of that file are shown in the Preview Pane. You have the ability to
customize the properties that are displayed for each file shown Main View and Preview Pane. Examine
the illustration below to see how these components interact to provide quick access to your files and
related metadata.
7
Client Add-Ins
A vault add-in is client software that plugs into your existing applications to extend their capabilities to
support vault operations and workflows. These are tight integrations that allow you to interact with the
vault while continuing to work in the context of the applications that you use every day. It’s important to
work with the vault through the add-ins so that you can properly capture all file relationships when adding
files to the vault.
Vault Add-In for Autodesk Inventor

Autodesk Vault is tightly integrated into the Autodesk Inventor user interface such that you can perform
nearly all of your file management and vaulting tasks without ever leaving the Autodesk Inventor
environment. From adding files to the vault for the first time, to checking them into the vault after changes
are complete, the integrated vault browser is a central interface for working with your files in relation to
the vault.
The vault integration also supports the ability to directly access files in the vault and examine the status of
dependent files relating to your design. Such interaction with the vault includes the following:
• Ability to browse the vault in order to open a file directly in Inventor

• Browse the vault in order to place a component directly into your current design
• Examine which files are currently checked out to you or by another user
• Determine whether your currently opened design contains out-of-date components
The icons in the vault browser allow you to constantly be informed of the current status of the data with
which you are working. Examine the integrated vault browser in the illustration below (lower left).
8
Vault Add-In for AutoCAD Mechanical

Autodesk Vault also integrates into the AutoCAD environment. Once installed, vault-related commands
are accessible through the pull down menus, the toolbars, and the command line; and there is also a tight
integration with the External References palette. These integration points allow you to work seamlessly
with the vault while performing your everyday CAD operations. Similar to the Inventor interface, you can
perform most of your file management tasks without leaving the AutoCAD environment. Interaction with
the Vault includes the following:
• Vault status indicators in the application title bar (‘Checked Out’ or ‘Read Only’).
• Command feedback in the command line window.
• Integration with the External References palette, including status icons (see floating palette
below).
• Commands for adding files to the vault or for opening and attaching files from the vault.
Examine the illustration below to see how Vault is integrated into the AutoCAD Mechanical environment.
9
Vault Add-In for Microsoft Office

Likewise, Vault is similarly integrated with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint so you can perform
vault operations within those applications and control/manage office documents along with your design
files.
10
Getting Started
Learn how to access the vault, setup your users and folders, and start using Autodesk Vault today.
Logging into the Vault

As described previously, the vault administrator is responsible for setting up the vault using the server
console. The administrator is able to choose the name of the vault as well as the location of its file store.
A vault is essentially the combination of a database and its associated file store. Data can be managed
in a single vault or in multiple vaults on the same server. The illustration below depicts a server
configuration with multiple vaults.
In this example (right), the administrator

has chosen to establish two vaults on a
Vault1
single server. Each vault has its own
database and associated file store. The
name of each vault and location of each file
store is specified by the administrator.
Vault2
Server
Each vault is an island of data, but the
same Web Services are used to facilitate
communication. However, communication does not occur between the vaults.
Note: Autodesk recommends the use of a single vault for your production data. This will promote design
reuse and allow you to perform robust searches because your data is consolidated in a single database.
Additional vaults are still useful, however, for training in non-production environments or for temporary
projects.
11
Once the vaults are configured, the administrator’s next task is to setup the users who will access the
data.
User management is
available through the
Security tab of the
Administration dialog (left) in
Vault Explorer. The
administrator can create
users and assign
membership to vaults.
Note: Your vault environment is ready

for operation once the vaults are setup
and your users are created. Users may
then begin to log in and start utilizing
the vault.
You need a few pieces of information in

order to log into the vault. First, the
vault administrator must supply your
user name and initial password. You
must also know the name of the server
that you are logging into as well as the
name of the database. In this example
(right), the named user ‘Administrator’
is about to log into the vault database
‘Vault’ on the server ‘localhost’.
12
The Vault Folder Structure

One of the first tasks for a new vault is establishing an organized folder structure. This organization is
one of the primary benefits of the vault. The structure allows you to recreate or mimic folder structures
that are already well-known to your company – so the transition to using the Vault is as easy and painless
as possible. In fact, you can organize your vault much in the same way that you already organize files
using Windows Explorer.
In this example (left), the vault administrator has organized this vault much
like they’ve always organized files in Windows Explorer. Libraries are
organized at the top-level, and the various projects are organized by name.
Imagine how you would organize your own vault structure in your own
company.
Notice that the root of the vault is designated by the ‘$’ symbol. The vault is
a virtual file system, so a vault path will start with the ‘$’ symbol rather
than a typical drive letter or UNC path. For example, the vault path for the
selected folder (left) looks like: $/Designs/Padlock/Assemblies.
13
The User Workspace

When files are added to the Vault, the data is owned by the vault. When a user wants to work on a
particular file, a local copy is downloaded (or checked out) for editing. A user never works directly on a
file in the vault itself. The file in the vault is secure and protected from accidental mishandling. Instead,
the user works on a local copy of the file in the working folder. When the user is finished editing the data,
the file is then uploaded (or checked in) to the vault, thereby updating the server and making the newest
version of the file available to other users.
The user workspace is the location on the local hard drive that is used for making changes to the file. A
copy of the file is downloaded to this workspace so the user can edit the file safely on the local machine
(where nobody else can edit it). The user workspace offers the following advantages in a vault
environment:
• It allows you to work offline because a copy of the file is downloaded to the workspace.
• It benefits system performance because you are working locally rather than over the
network.
• It ensures that the master copy of the file is safe in the vault and cannot be corrupted
To ensure that the local working copy is properly checked back into the vault – and in the correct location
– there is a mapping between your local workspace and the vault structure. In the example below, the
root of the vault ($) is mapped to the ‘Vault’ directory on the user’s drive (e.g. C:\My documents\Vault).
When editing files from the vault, local copies will be downloaded to your workspace in a structure parallel
to the vault (as shown below).
14
Vault Features
With Vault up and running, engineers and designers can instantly access and manipulate the most up-to-
date designs in a central location. Design efforts are synchronized and controlled, and therefore costly
mistakes are reduced. In the following sections learn about the features in Vault that bring added value to
your data investment.
Version Control
One of the key benefits of the vault is version control. The vault maintains accurate file relationships
throughout the history of a design. A simple example of such a relationship is the Inventor drawing file
(*.IDW) and its associated part file (*.ipt). In order for the drawing to be complete, the two files must
coexist and be accessed as a pair. The vault automatically tracks these files and their relationships –
making them available whenever they are needed for examination or manipulation.
For larger assemblies, the prospect of manually keeping track of multiple versions of multiple files can be
daunting – especially considering that files are often edited independently. The vault manages this for
you. Traditionally, you might print a hard copy of the drawings, save a complete copy of the design in an
alternate folder, or archive the data into a zip file or CD. All of these methods are manual, time
consuming, and prone to error. Since the vault automatically tracks the appropriate relationships and
versions, these manual methods are no longer necessary. When you need a past version of a design, all
you need to do is retrieve it from the vault. The files, and the correct versions of all related files, are
automatically retrieved exactly as they were when originally checked into the vault.
The example below clearly depicts the version history of a part. Notice how the combination of comments
and thumbnail images make it easy to trace the historical progression of a design from version to
version.
15
Note: Autodesk Vault manages work-in-progress data; that is, it manages file iterations as the design
changes throughout the design cycle – and it maintains all necessary file relationships along the way. For
more information on how to manage your release processes, follow the link below and learn how
Autodesk Productstream increases the power of Vault to benefit your extended team:
http://www.autodesk.com/productstream
Check In / Check Out

The Check In and Check Out commands facilitate the creation of new versions in the vault. One of the
core functions of the Check Out command is its ability to reserve files to a specific user. This allows you
to be confident that the files you are working on will not be edited or changed by other users while you are
editing them (even if you no longer have the files open in the CAD application).
This fundamental ability allows you to minimize the risk of overwriting someone’s work – thereby avoiding
‘last saved wins’ situations that are so common when working in a networked environment using
Windows Explorer alone.
After you are finished making changes to your designs, use the Check In command to make your
changes available to others. Checking a file into the vault uploads your local copy and removes the
reservation on that file in the vault. This process actually stores your edited file as a new version of the
file in the vault, but rest assured that you can always retrieve a copy of an older version at any time.
The basic Check In / Check Out process is shown in the illustration below.
Step 1: Navigate within the Locate File

vault to find the file; the file in the Vault
must be available for edit
Step 2: Use Check Out to reserve Check Out

the file exclusively to you; a copy for Editing
is downloaded to your local
working folder for editing
Step 3: When your edits are Check In

done, use Check In to upload the New Version
file; your modified file becomes
the latest version in the vault
16
When you check out a file, it is reserved in your name; no other user can edit that file – whether or not
you currently have the file opened in the CAD application. However, other users can still get read-only
copies of the file while you make changes. Your changes only become available to others when you
check in a new version.
Vault Explorer uses status icons to

indicate which files are checked
out and by whom. A checkmark
indicates a file checked out by
you. In this example (left), two
files are checked out by you. Two
other files are checked out by
someone else (nicolt). Notice how
the tool tips help explain the
meaning of the icons.
The Uses Tab
The Uses feature offers the ability to view the complete (child) file structure of an assembly without ever
opening the CAD application that created it; all child relationships are captured and maintained in the
vault.
As shown in this example

(right), the Uses tab also shows
related metadata along with the
hierarchical relationships; you
can see who last updated a
particular part in an assembly
and when it was done.
These file relationships ensure

that all file operations take into
account the child files that are
also part of the design.
17
The Where Used Tab

The Where Used capability in
the vault is fast and extensive.
This feature allows you to
examine parent relationships
– files that are either directly
related or related through any
number of higher-level
parents.
In this example (right), the part file is directly referenced in an assembly file and a drawing file. But you
can see that the assembly is also referenced in both presentation and drawing files of its own; and the
presentation file has an associated drawing file as well. This information indicates to the user that a
change to the part affects 5 other files.
A unique benefit of the Where Used capability over Inventor’s native capabilities (and over Windows
Explorer) is its ability to perform this query throughout the entire vault – not just the scope of the current
project. This means that files such as standard parts from your company’s library that are used over and
over again throughout many assemblies, presentations, and drawings can be accurately tracked
throughout the vault.
Note: The parent/child relationships captured in the vault are crucial to its operation. These relationships
ensure that your data is complete and accurate when you need them. It’s important to note, however,
that these relationships are captured only when checking files into the vault through the add-ins (e.g. vault
add-in for Autodesk Inventor and the vault add-in for AutoCAD Mechanical).
18
The View Tab (Automatic DWF Creation)

With Autodesk® DWF™ (Design Web Format™) files, your team can easily share the latest design
information in a compact, non-editable, secure format. Autodesk Vault automatically generates a DWF
for every file that you check into the vault, and then it updates the DWF whenever the file changes.
Automated DWF publishing eliminates the extra work involved with manual publishing and reduces the
errors inherent in the manual updating process. The creation of the DWF file is an option available during
the check in process. But once created, you can then view the automatically generated DWFs using the
View tab of the Preview pane (below).
These system-generated DWFs

are automatically associated with
their source CAD files.
When you click on the CAD file

and choose the View tab the
associated DWF will be served up
for viewing – which is typically
much faster because it’s leaner
than the native file format. In this
example (right), a 2D Inventor
drawing is being viewed; you can
dynamically pan, zoom, and
optionally turn layers ON/OFF.
DWFs are also created for 3D

models. In this example (left),
the user is examining a 3D
Inventor part. The slicing tool in
the DWF viewer is being used to
examine a cross section of the
part. In this example, the
section exposes a countersunk
hole. Similar sections can be
created on any plane. Also, the
rotate, pan, and zoom
commands allow you to
examine finer details of the
geometry.
By default, the View tab displays

the latest version of the
specified part, assembly, or
drawing. However, you can
easily switch to prior versions
using the slider control in order to visually compare one version to the next.
19
The Rename Wizard

Renaming AutoCAD or Inventor files has traditionally been a very painful task; the process is both error
prone and time consuming. There are a couple of ways to go about it:
• Windows Explorer – You can rename the file on disk, then open it in the CAD application and fix
all the broken references. This method can be very dangerous and it’s easy to overlook affected
files.
• Design Assistant – This Inventor tool is limited to a single project. Furthermore, when there are
many files located over a network, the process is quite slow because it has to search for file
references/relationships.
With Autodesk Vault you have the ability to rename files using a simple wizard process that will repair
references as needed. This can be a huge time saver and is a critical feature for anyone who needs to
rename large sets of Inventor files. For example, you may need to rename files to match part numbers
prior to release.
The Rename Wizard (right) allows

you to specify one or more files to
rename.
The second step in the wizard is

identifying the related files to be
repaired. This is where the power
of the feature is fully realized.
The ‘Where Used’ file
relationships are captured in the
vault, so the parent files are
already known.
You will need access to the

parents so the system can
automate the process of fixing
references. A new version of
each parent file will be generated
as well – each pointing to the newly renamed file(s).
The illustration below demonstrates the result of a Rename operation from the perspective of the
assembly.
In this example (left), ‘Combo

Spacer’ is going to be renamed.
The result (right) shows how a
new version of the assembly,
‘Combo Assembly’, is created
and it references the newly
renamed part. This entire
process is fully automated.
Note: This utility supports both AutoCAD (DWG) as well as Inventor file types.
20
Intelligent Copy Design

Another concept that is absolutely fundamental to the design process is the reuse of existing designs.
It’s not uncommon for new assembly designs to reuse 80% (or more) of the parts that are already used in
existing designs. Money is often wasted recreating those parts from scratch. Or you may spend
countless hours copying files, renaming them, and repairing file references manually.
The Copy Design functionality offers immediate time savings because it automates this process. You can
choose which parts or subassemblies that you wish to copy, reuse, or replace. The Copy Design dialog
also offers the ability to specify where the new files are going to be copied and what those files will be
named.
In this example (below), the assembly file ‘Pad Lock’ is going to be copied in order to create a new design
configuration. The files with the blue (double plus sign) icons are going to be copied. The files with the
yellow (single plus sign) icons are going to be reused. Notice that you have the ability to specify the
folder location and new name for all copied files. This tool also offers advanced find and replace
capabilities, as well as the ability to specify a prefix and suffix, so you can quickly automate the process of
copying/renaming several (possibly hundreds) of files at once. After a few clicks, you can start a new
design
g with most of the work already y done.
The key
Th k advantage
d t off this
thi commandd is
i itits ability
bilit tto utilize
tili ththe fil
file relationships
l ti hi captured
t d in the vaultlt tto
i th
repair all file references for the newly copied assembly. This automation ensures that all files are pointing
to the correct file references so the resulting assembly can be opened in the CAD application without
error (ready-to-go).
Note: This tool addresses the task of copying designs for both Inventor and AutoCAD files alike (i.e.
external references are repaired in AutoCAD files as well).
21
Attachments
Attachments are file associations that are created manually. An attachment can be anything from a
design specification to an ECO for an assembly to something less design-specific like a work order. The
ability to attach files allows you to create relationships between files and keep important design
information linked together.
It’s easy to recognize which files have attachments

associated with them. As shown in this example (left), files
that contain one or more attachments are clearly indicated
with the use of a paperclip icon. You can sort by the icon or
search for files that have attachments. Once attached, that
attachment will be associated with every version of the file
until the relationship is removed.
Note: When you add an attachment to a file in the vault, a new version of that file is generated. This
ensures that all changes, even the addition/removal of file relationships, are tracked so that you can
determine when those relationships were made (or so you can return to a version that existed before the
relationship was made).
Property Indexing
Indexing is a very important part of Vault. Indexing refers to the way data is extracted from files when
they are checked into the vault. Important properties are extracted and then cataloged for later use. The
indexing engine stores properties such that they are optimized for quick retrieval. Likewise, it’s designed
to handle massive quantities of metadata while still maintaining high performance. In addition to indexing
Autodesk Inventor and DWG files, the vault is also able to index content from Microsoft Office documents
(and many others).
Inventor iProperties are

automatically extracted when
Inventor files are checked into
the vault. Likewise, file
properties (DWGPROPS) are
extracted from DWG files. You
can choose to arrange these
properties as columns (right) so
you can sort and group files.
22
Note: You can even choose to extract AutoCAD block attributes by specifying which blocks to extract.
These block attributes can then act as file properties that can be displayed as columns in the Main View.
A unique aspect of the Vault is its ability to extract properties from many different types of files. It uses
standard iFilter technology – which means that you can register standard iFilters for multiple file types and
the Vault will automatically recognize and use those registered iFilters to extract important file properties.
Click the ‘File Properties’ button (below) on the Administration dialog in Vault Explorer to remove
unwanted properties from the database (and ensure that they never come back) and even change their
display name.
23
Advanced Searching
Leveraging the indexing technology, you are able to quickly and efficiently search through the vault and
return files that match your search criteria. For example, you can perform a basic search simply by
specifying a string with the intention of finding all files that contain that string.
The Quick Find bar (right) is an easy way to search for files
within a single folder structure. With the desired folder
selected, enter a string that you wish to search for and click the
magnifying glass. The search will examine the folder for files
that contain this string and return the results in the Main View.
The Advanced Find dialog (left) allows you to

build advanced searches based on specific
criteria. For example, you can build a set of
criteria that will allow you to search for: ‘all parts
that Nancy has modified this month that are made
out of steel but not stainless steel’.
You can quickly define your criteria and perform

the search immediately. In this example (left), the
criteria will ensure that the search will only return
files that are not currently checked out and that
contain the word ‘exhaust’.
You can perform this search and see the results

appear directly in the dialog. You can then refine
your search by adding more conditions and
performing the search again and again until you
achieve the desired results.
Once the desired results are returned, you can act

upon them. For example, you might want to search for all files that are currently in need of editing so that
you can select them and check them all out at once. Or you might want to print the results or export them
in order to create a formal report.
Searches are intended to be a primary method for accessing files. You can save searches that you
intend to use often and recall them at any time. You can even edit a saved search if necessary. In
addition to specifying criteria, a search also allows you to specify where (i.e. in which folders) to search.
When you have a search that you intend to use often, you can also turn it into a search folder. A search
folder is a folder that appears in the Navigation Pane beneath the normal folder structure. It is essentially
a predefined query. Clicking a search folder has the effect of dynamically performing a search, and the
results are displayed in the Main View. The illustration below shows how a search folder can be used to
quickly and easily access files based on pre-defined criteria.
Search results are

displayed in the Main
View (right)
24
Summary
Review the summary paragraphs below in order to take away all the key concepts.
Autodesk Vault
Autodesk Vault is an easy-to-use data management tool that helps design teams track work-in-progress
files, maintain version control in a multi-user environment, and incorporate design reuse by consolidating
product information in a centralized storage location.
The Vault Environment
The vault is a client-server environment that manages data in a controlled manner. The recommended
deployment scenario is a single, dedicated server – with multiple client machines accessing the server
over the network using standard HTTP protocol. The server contains 3 main components: a web server
(IIS), a database (SQL), and a file store (e.g. Windows file system). When files are added to the vault,
metadata is extracted and stored in the database – subsequently allowing for quick and easy access to
important design information.
Vault Applications
There are two standalone applications available as a result of installing the vault. The ADMS Console is
installed only on the server and is only accessible by the vault administrator. This application is
necessary for the creation and management of vaults as well as backup and restore. Vault Explorer is
the main client application installed on every client machine, and it provides the interface for browsing the
vault (it is your ’window into the vault’).
A closer look at Vault Explorer reveals that it is similar in its layout to Microsoft Outlook. The Navigation
Pane allows you to browse the virtual folder structure, execute pre-defined searches, and manage
shortcuts to your favorite files and folders. The Main View is where the contents (i.e. files) of each folder
are displayed. The files appear as rows in a detailed list view, and you can customize the properties (i.e.
columns) that are visible for each folder. The Preview Pane displays details pertaining to the currently
selected file in the Main View.
Client Add-Ins
A vault add-in is a piece of software that plugs into your existing applications in order to extend their
capabilities to support vault operations and workflows. Vault supports add-ins for Autodesk Inventor and
Inventor Professional as well as AutoCAD-based applications and Microsoft Office applications (Word,
Excel, and PowerPoint). Each add-in allows you to work with the vault without leaving the native
application.
25
Use the vault browser in the Inventor add-in to examine vault status and act upon dependent files.
Likewise, use the vault-enabled External References palette in AutoCAD to work with external files in a
vault environment.
Getting Started
Once the vault is installed, the vault administrator has to setup one or more vaults. A vault is the
combination of a database and a file store. Autodesk recommends the use of a single vault for your
production data; this will promote design reuse and allow you to perform robust searches because your
data is consolidated in a central location. Additional vaults may still be useful for training purposes.
Once vaults are setup, the vault administrator creates users and assigns them to one or more vaults.
You need a few pieces of information in order to log in to the vault: a user name, a password, the
server name, and a database (i.e. vault) name. The administrator is responsible for supplying this
information to client users.
From an end-user’s perspective, the basic organization of the vault is a folder structure similar to
Windows Explorer. It is a virtual file system where data is safe from unwanted access. One of the first
things each client needs to do is map the root of the vault (a virtual folder) to a local working folder (a
real folder) on your hard drive; this location is where you make edits to files before checking them back
into the vault.
Vault Features
Autodesk Vault helps you maximize the return on your engineering investment through a robust set of
features that ensure design efforts are synchronized and costly mistakes are reduced. The following
features offer immediate value and time savings over the use of Windows Explorer alone:
Version Control – Examine file versions and use thumbnail images to track/visualize historical
progression
Check In / Check Out – Reserve files for edit, and then upload changes to create a new version in the
vault
The Uses Tab – Examine a file’s child relationships as a hierarchical structure
The Where Used Tab – Examine a file’s parent relationships
The View Tab – Pan and zoom 2D drawings, or rotate and measure 3D models (using auto-generated
DWF)
The Rename Wizard – Rename one or more files and automatically repair references in parent files
Intelligent Copy Design – Copy designs and repair references; rename, replace, or reuse files in the
new design
Attachments – Manually create file associations and link specific file versions together
26
Property Indexing – The indexing process captures file properties and catalogs them for faster
searching
Advanced Searching – Perform a simple string search or use advanced criteria and save it as a search
folder
27
References
White Papers:
http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/Vault.pdf
http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/Practical_DM_WP.pdf
http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/DataManagement_CaseStudies.pdf
http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/Implementing_Practical_Data_Management_050412a.pdf
http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/Remote.pdf
http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/vault_background_processes_whitepaper.pdf
http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/publishing_options_for_autodesk_vault_2009.pdf
http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/migrating_autodesk_inventor_data_in_autodesk_vault.pdf
http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/best_practices_for_using_autoloader.pdf
http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/dwf_settings_in_vault.pdf
Related Links:
http://www.autodesk.com/vault
http://www.autodesk.com/productstream
Newsgroup:
http://www.autodesk.com/discussiongroup-vault
http://www.autodesk.com/discussiongroup-productstream
Presenter Emails:
todd.nicol@autodesk.com
brian.schanen@autodesk.com
irvin.hayes@autodesk.com
28

AU08 CD111 1 Vault Basics

Enviado por

Dados do documento

Descrição original:

Direitos autorais

Formatos disponíveis

Compartilhar este documento

Compartilhar ou incorporar documento

Opções de compartilhamento

Você considera este documento útil?

Este conteúdo é inapropriado?

Direitos autorais:

Formatos disponíveis

AU08 CD111 1 Vault Basics

Enviado por

Direitos autorais:

Formatos disponíveis

12/2/2008 - 1:15 pm - 2:45 pm Room:Lido 3106 (PTD)

The Basics of Autodesk® Vault

About the Speaker:

Stay Connect with AU all year at www.autodeskuniversity.com

The Vault Environment.................................................................................................................................. 4

A Closer Look at Vault Explorer ................................................................................................................ 7

Vault Add-In for Autodesk Inventor ........................................................................................................... 8

Vault Add-In for AutoCAD Mechanical ...................................................................................................... 9

Vault Add-In for Microsoft Office ............................................................................................................. 10

Getting Started ............................................................................................................................................ 11

Logging into the Vault ............................................................................................................................. 11

The Vault Folder Structure ...................................................................................................................... 13

The Working Folder................................................................................................................................. 14

Vault Features ............................................................................................................................................. 15

Check In / Check Out .............................................................................................................................. 16

The Uses Tab.......................................................................................................................................... 17

The Where Used Tab.............................................................................................................................. 18

The View Tab (Automatic DWF Creation)............................................................................................... 19

The Rename Wizard ............................................................................................................................... 20

Intelligent Copy Design ........................................................................................................................... 21

Property Indexing .................................................................................................................................... 22

Advanced Searching ............................................................................................................................... 24

The Vault Environment

Client 1 Client 3 Database

Web Server File Store

Dedicated Server Inside the Dedicated Server

In addition to providing controlled

Vault Explorer is especially

The ADMS Console provides a wide range of

However, one of the more important functions of

A Closer Look at Vault Explorer

Vault Add-In for Autodesk Inventor

• Ability to browse the vault in order to open a file directly in Inventor

Vault Add-In for AutoCAD Mechanical

Vault Add-In for Microsoft Office

Logging into the Vault

In this example (right), the administrator

Note: Your vault environment is ready

You need a few pieces of information in

The Vault Folder Structure

The User Workspace

Check In / Check Out

Step 1: Navigate within the Locate File

Step 2: Use Check Out to reserve Check Out

Step 3: When your edits are Check In

Vault Explorer uses status icons to

As shown in this example

These file relationships ensure

The Where Used Tab

The View Tab (Automatic DWF Creation)

These system-generated DWFs

When you click on the CAD file

DWFs are also created for 3D

By default, the View tab displays

The Rename Wizard

The Rename Wizard (right) allows

The second step in the wizard is

You will need access to the

In this example (left), ‘Combo

Intelligent Copy Design

It’s easy to recognize which files have attachments

Inventor iProperties are

The Advanced Find dialog (left) allows you to