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Brian Schanen joined Autodesk in 2005 as a Product Designer and currently is a Customer Success Engineer for Autodesk’s Data Management products. Brian has taught at Autodesk University numerous times and has authored white papers on Vault and Productstream. He works with customers to implement a complete digital prototyping solution specializing in Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Vault and Productstream. Brian lives near Detroit, Michigan.
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Vault and Productstream 2009 Background Process White Paper
June 30, 2008 09:40 AMby Brian SchanenAutodesk Vault and Productstream 2009 have several new processes which the user may never see. These processes are one of the features which improve the ADMS performance and functionality. This document contains a list of the background processes, their behavior, and ways to adjust the behaviors: http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/vault_background_processes_whitepaper.pdf
-Brian Schanen
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iFilename for Inventor
June 24, 2008 12:53 AMby Brian SchanenAutomatic naming of Inventor files upon creation is possible with iFilename from Cadspec. This utility works off of existing Item naming schemes within Productstream to ensure not only unique file names are checked into Vault, but they adhere to company standards. Simply start by setting up an Item Numbering scheme:
Add a new scheme and set the length, start number, step size, and any other prefix/suffix data.
With the Add In loaded, creation of new Inventor files from Templates will display a dialog box allowing you to choose one of your existing Item Naming schemes and assign this name to the file.
This utility is ideal for Item Number reservation during part and assembly creation. Multiple numbering schemes can be used for different Item Types. In addition, naming schemes can be generated from an MS Access database. This supports the 2008 and 2009 releases of Inventor and Productstream. Download a 30 day trial here: http://www.cadspec.co.uk/index.php?page=development
-Brian Schanen
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Multiple Instances of Autoloader
June 11, 2008 09:51 PMby Brian SchanenToday we'll outline the steps to set up a 'farm' of machines - each with Autoloader - to populate Autodesk Vault or Productstream. For review, Autoloader 2009 is included with each seat of Vault and Productstream. By default, only one instance of Autoloader can be run against a server at a time, and starting Autoloader on another machine returns an error.
Being a bulk upload utility, one Autoloader is usually enough. For those who have a tight schedule with large amounts of data for the upload, follow these steps to upload from more than one machine:
- Run Autoloader once to establish the folder names, structure, and create the Inventor .ipj. This also creates a hidden file called the BUU.xml. This file holds the Workspace, Libraries, and Project file names.
- Wihile logged in to Autoloader on the first machine, Open the Vault, go to Tools> Options, and check the Show hidden files option.
- Find the buu.xml in the root of Vault Explorer ($ )and Undo Checkout on the first machine.
- Now, log in to Autoloader to the same Vault, from a second machine. Undo the Checkout of the buu.xml only if a third machine is needed.
- Select an upload folder and scan files on the first machine.
- Repeat the folder selection and scan of files on the second machine.
- Map folder on the first machine, then Undo Checkout of the Designs.ipj on the first machine, This is the Inventor Project file that Autoloader provides for you. The name may be different on your machine.
- On the second machine, Map folders and Undo the Checkout of the .ipj only if additional machines are needed.
- Proceed to upload files on all machines.
It is recommended to use this multiple Autoloader method to upload separate datasets that do not overlap files. You may have assemblies that share common library components, and this is typical.
The final progress window and report will display these as Identical files as seen in the above image. This ability to create a farm of Autoloader machines can save time during your Vault or Productstream implementation.
-Brian Schanen
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Using Autodesk Vault with a Single Inventor Project - part 2
June 3, 2008 01:29 PMby Brian SchanenWelcome to part 2 of the Single Project method. In Step 1 of the previous post, we set up the Inventor project file (.ipj), created an initial Vault structure with folders, and set the stage for populating the Vault with Inventor data. This time we'll take a sample dataset and Check it in from Inventor.
Step 2: Add data to the Vault
For this example, use the assembly sample models that install with Inventor. In Windows Explorer, copy a selection of folders under ...Inventor 2009\Samples\Models\Assemblies to C:\Work\Designs. Notice that we didn’t bring the original project file to our new location. We are going to utilize the new Vault project file - which is the active .ipj now - that we created earlier.
The Content Center Files for the Sample Files datasets need to be copied to the Vault Working folder location. Select the en-US folder from ...\Inventor 2009\Samples\STANDARD Parts (also known as Content Center Files) and copy them to C:\Work\Content Center Files. If you're following along at home or work, I am going to focus on the familiar Arbor Press data set.Open Autodesk Inventor. Log into the test Vault created earlier. Go to File>Autodesk Data Management Server>Log in. Open the Arbor_Press.idw drawing from under the Arbor Press folder. In this example, this drawing is our top level file and can be used to add the entire assembly to the vault.
Save the file. This step is very important since the files were moved. When you move files, you can potentially change the way that Inventor resolves related files. Saving these changes now prevents other users who access this data from the vault from having issues with opening the files. In Autodesk Inventor, switch to the Vault browser.
The question mark icons in the Vault browser indicate the files are not in the Vault yet. Right-click on the top level file – the drawing in this example in the Vault browser and select Check In Files.
The Check In Files dialog box is displayed. Note how the vault is displaying the proper folder structure, including the Arbor Press folder. Add any comments as necessary: e.g., Initial Add to Vault, and click OK to copy your files to the Vault.
Open, or switch to Vault Explorer and click the $ folder. On the toolbar, click Refresh to see the newly added files and folders.
The Arbor_Press.idw drawing and all of its children have been added to the Vault. More importantly, the structure has been preserved. Note the creation of the Arbor Press folder and it’s subfolder Components. These are directly replicated from the folder structure found in Windows Explorer.
Other notes
Adding additional Inventor files using the Single Project Method involves creating sub folders under C:\Work\Designs and placing the new Inventor files there. In general, open the top level document and ensure it loads and resolves successfully.
Upon adding files to populate the vault, always verify the structure before adding the files.
It is important that you understand that you will rely less on Windows Explorer and more on Vault Explorer daily to work with Inventor files outside of Inventor. Windows Explorer will still play a minor role in file management when working with Inventor and Vault, but you will end up using it less and less. Your working folder (C:\Work) should be considered a temporary folder for storing files. When you are finished working on a design and you have added the files and folders to the vault, you can clean up your working folder by deleting the files and folders from your workspace.-Brian Schanen
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Using Autodesk Vault with a Single Inventor Project - part 1
May 27, 2008 10:39 PMby Brian SchanenProper setup of Autodesk Vault structure is critical to a successful and flexible vault. Using the Autoloader to populate a new Vault is the first recommendation I make to get Vault setup. In fact, it uses the Single Project approach and saves you the following steps. But if you want to set up an Inventor Vault-style Project for yourself, read on. The Single Project Method is the most simple and most robust way to set up your vault environment for use with Inventor while continuing to offer a high level of freedom and flexibility.
With the single project file configuration you gain:
Simplicity - With a single project, you use the same project file for every design in your environment. This keeps you from having to remember what project file to use with which dataset. You also benefit from having a single common location for all of your data.Reduced Resolution Failures - Inventor can automatically search for any missing files throughout your entire data set. This greatly reduces the number of times you need to manually locate missing files.
Increased Design Reuse - Greatly simplify the reuse of other data from your vault. Using this method, any data in the vault can be reused in any assembly by using the Place from Vault command. This method prevents you from having to ever worry about adding a library path or copying a file from another project.
Step 1: Set Up the Environment
Typically with Inventor, you create a new Inventor Project File (*.ipj) that is unique for each job you are working on. With Autodesk Vault and Inventor, you create a new folder for each design, not a new project file. In the example, we use sample data and a test vault. After you are comfortable with your configuration, you can apply this same practice to your actual design data.
Open ADMS Console from the Vault server (This may also be on your machine if you're setting up a test environment). On the left side of the window, right-click Vaults. Create a vault called Test. Click OK.
Open Windows Explorer. Create a folder under C:\ called Work. This is where all work on Inventor parts will be performed. In addition, create two new folders underneath Work called Content Center Files and Designs. These folders will store all of your design data.
Open Autodesk Inventor and the Project Editor. Click the New button at the bottom and step through the wizard to create a new Vault Project.
Enter a name for the ipj. This should be the same name as the Workspace folder you will use. For the project name and set the Project (Workspace) Folder to C:\Work, as an example.
Click Finish to create the Project file. Double-click Designs.ipj to make it the active project. In the Project Editor window, click and expand the chevron button to display the Workspace.
Expand the Workspace entry. Right click and select Edit. Click the Browse button and navigate to C:\Work\Designs. Click OK. Next, expand Folder options. Right Click Content Center Files and select Edit. Navigate to C:\Work\Content Center Files. Finally, add a Libray path to C:\Work\Libraries. Close the Inventor Project Editor.
Open Vault Explorer and log into the Vault created earlier. Note that the Vault is empty and there are no folders. The first step here is to estalbish the Working location of the Vault in Windows Explorer. Right-click on the Vault Explroer root ($) and select Properties. Select the Working Folder button and browse to C:\Work. Click OK to set the Working folder, then OK again to exit this dialog.
Next, you'll begin to create the Vault structure, and this starts with three top level subfolders under the root. Right click on the Vault Explorer ($) folder and select New Folder. Create one called Designs. Right-click again and this time select New Library Folder. Make a Content Center Files folder, and repeat this step to create a Libraries folder.
Switch back to Inventor. Now that the Vault folders and the Inventor Project file have been configured, you'll need to map the Inventor Project locations to Vault folders. This step needs to only be performed once for this Vault. First, log into your Vault from Inventor created earlier from File>Autodesk Data Management Server>Vault Login.
Next, from the File pull down menu, select Vault>Map Folders. For each folder entry in the Project file, you'll set the equivalent Vault folder location. Highlight each, and click the Edit buton. the Project root = $, Content Center Files = Content Center Files, and Libraries = Libraries. Click OK and exit.
Note: remember earlier in this post when I mentioned Autoloader? The Autoloader does all of the above for you, saving you the
funsteps of setting up Vault structure manually.You are now ready to create data in your Working Folder location or move files there for upload to Vault. Stay tuned for the next step - Adding Inventor Data to the Vault...
-Brian Schanen
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Vault-Model Browser Toggle button
May 13, 2008 11:06 PMby Brian SchanenHere is a great usability tip for toggling the Inventor model browser over to the Vault browser – and back. This is especially nice for both Inventor power users and those of us who demonstrate Vault with Inventor regularly – and you know who you are. You can use the following code in a IVB file and then Create a button in a Toolbar and assign the Below macro to the button:
Sub Toggle_Model_Vault()
On Error Resume NextIf ThisApplication.ActiveDocument.BrowserPanes.ActivePane.Name = "Model" ThenThisApplication.ActiveDocument.BrowserPanes.Item("Vault").ActivateExit SubEnd IfIf ThisApplication.ActiveDocument.BrowserPanes.ActivePane.Name = "Vault" ThenThisApplication.ActiveDocument.BrowserPanes.Item("Model").ActivateExit SubEnd IfEnd Sub
You can also assign some short-cut (Accelerator) keys to execute the Toggle function while working in Inventor.
Cheers.
-Brian Schanen
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New White Paper - Multiple Site Implementations
April 30, 2008 02:17 PMby Brian SchanenIntroducing a new White Paper describing the multi site options with Productstream 2009. This document sets the recommendations for replicated environemnts and provides examples of site configurations.
http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/productstream-multiple-site-implementations.pdf
-Brian Schanen
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New White Paper - Publish Options for Vault 2009
April 28, 2008 09:52 AMby Brian SchanenVault 2009 has new options in the Publish Options .xml file. The XML file contains performance-friendly default settings for publishing DWFs of files checked in from Autodesk Inventor or any of the AutoCAD® verticals. You can customize the settings in the XML file to optimize publishing performance for your environment. Note the ability to publish only an image for Inventor 3D models and the new AutoCAD based options.
http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/publishing_options_for_autodesk_vault_2009.pdf
-Brian Schanen
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Vault and Inventor 2009 Integration - it's the little things...
April 25, 2008 03:53 PMby Brian SchanenFor those of you that have seen Vault grow over the years, I have a great post for you to read. I had been a Vault proponent as a reseller since the TruEVault days, way back to Inventor 5.3 (that’s old school) and watched it through the introduction of Productstream and beyond. Then I joined Autodesk to be a part of the design of the Data Management solution. In my opinion, the program as a whole has matured exponentially.
Now, the Inventor add-in prior to release 2009 remained largely unchanged – until this release. I would like to present some of the quality-of-life improvements made possible through a combined effort from the Inventor and Data Management teams. Sometimes it’s the little things that make a huge difference in the daily workflow with a product.
Single Step Check In
Save time when checking in work into the Vault. The Add Files and Check In commands have been combined to provide a single check in process that automatically adds files that are not already in the Vault. Check In operations are faster due to improvements in DWF publishing and optimizations made in the Check In command. In addition, you can now access the Check In command directly from the Vault browser.
Direct Access from File Dialogs
Access the Vault directly from frequently used file open/place dialogs. Click on the Vault icons located in these dialogs to work with files from the Vault. The Vault icon is available on the File Open, Place Component and Derived Part dialogs as well as the Base View dialog in the Drawing Manager environment and the Create View dialog in the Presentation environment. In addition, there is improved support for placing components with iMates.
Browser Performance
Experience better Vault browser performance with large assemblies. Browser overhead has been reduced by performing updates to the status icons only when the browser is accessed and only for items visible at the top level. Lower level status information is retrieved only when then assembly item is expanded.
On the topic of performance, I highly suggest checking out the new support for Inventor’s LOD Suppression through the Open from Vault dialog. This provides faster open and checkouts when working with complex assemblies. When you call out specific Level of Detail or Design View representations in the Open from Vault dialog, Inventor 2009 downloads only those files required for the selected representation reducing server traffic and increasing checkout speed.
Separate Server Login (Dual sign-on)
This is ideal for companies using Productstream Replicator, as you can configure separate servers for the Vault database and Content Center (local). You now have the option to specify and log into a separate server for Content Center libraries and the Vault. From the File menu, select Autodesk Data Management Server > Connection Options.
Separating content and vault servers provides more options for optimizing performance in large installations. This is also helpful for mobile users to work with Inventor and Content Center in an offline mode.
Inventor Integration
A new prompt is added to save files before checking allowing for an automated save without cancelling the action. This prompt can also be hidden with Yes as default, allowing for a more seamless workflow within Inventor.
The Productstream Property Write back function will automatically check out every file that isn’t currently locked ensuring that all properties are up to date. (Only when the command is manually selected, not when it is run via prompts.)
The Check Out command can be run on checked out files, allowing you to check out all children without first checking the file back in or undoing the check out.
Support for Inventor’s Substitution in the Level of Detail command with full support for an accurate BOM when checked in. Note the icon displays in Vault and this file classification is searchable.
A Vault Tool Bar has been added to Inventor. This needs to be turned on manually and is a great improvement in Vault interaction. In fact, you can do most of your work now without switching over to the Vault browser.
This release eliminates removes unnecessary interaction and improves the performance of check in and check out operations by avoiding steps. I invite you to check out (pun intended) these enhancements to Vault workflows with Inventor 2009. Enjoy!
-Brian Schanen
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Hotfix - R2008 Support for ADR R2009 Side-By-Side
March 31, 2008 09:54 AMby Brian SchanenAutodesk has released this hotfix which allows Autodesk Design Review 2009 to work with R2008 and R2009 products installed side-by-side. Autodesk Design Review 2009 is not compatible with Autodesk Productstream R2008 SP1
and Autodesk Vault R2008 SP1. This update resolves issues allowing the products to
be compatible in a side-by-side installation scenario with the R2009 products: