Vault and Productstream - Go To Folder!!!

One of the most important tools I always use when navigating in Vault or Productstream is the "Go To Folder" right click menu. This option will automatically navigate to a related file's folder location and highlight that file for you. Want to go directly to the folder for the assembly a particular part file in Inventor was used in? No Problem. Just right click on the Assembly file in the "Where Used" results for the part and pick the "Go To Folder" option.

Contributed by Ben of the INCAT CAD Geeks

Autodesk Vault for non-CAD files

Because Autodesk Vault automatically comes with any of the Autodesk manufacturing products like Inventor or AutoCAD Electrical, most people primarily utilize Vault for the storage and tracking of CAD data. This mentality then causes the problem of multiple file storage locations that we are trying to avoid with a data management system in the first place. Vault can be used to store any type of file, and even comes with a Microsoft Office plugin that allows the direct check-in of files from applications like Word. Even without a plugin, any file can be managed with Vault as you can see by the following video:

Watch Video Here

Contributed by Ben of the INCAT CAD Geeks

Vault and Productstream - Automatic DWF Publishing Options

New DWF publishing options are available for users of Vault and Productstream 2009, but they are currently hidden in an XML file that must be edited to make changes. The Publish Options.xml file contains many DWF options for Inventor 2D and 3D files as well as AutoCAD. This file allows us to disable measure, markup, and printing of Vaulted DWF files. It can also be used to change the facet resolution of 3D files, and background color of 2D Inventor drawings that are published as well as a host of other options.

Take a look at this Autodesk Whitepaper for a list of all the options:
http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/publishing_options_for_autodesk_vault_2009.pdf

Here is a video example of the difference a change in 3D model facet resolution can make:
Watch Video Here

Contributed by Ben of the INCAT CAD Geeks

Vault - Double Click View or Open?

Depending on your workflow, you may want to change one of the default settings in Vault or Productstream that controls the double click response. The default response is to Open the file in its native application, but some people would rather get a better View of the design or drawing without taking the time to open it in the CAD software. Try changing the double click setting in the options dialog box if you want to change the behavior.

Check out this video for an example:

Watch Video Here

Contributed by Ben of the INCAT CAD Geeks

Vault Viewing - Text Searching Trick

One of my recent finds in the View tab in Vault and Productstream is the ability to do a Text Search within the current visualization file. This allows you to locate specific text on a drawing directly inside the Vault or Productstream interface. Just right click on the view and pick "Search".


Take a look at this short video example:

Watch Video Here

Contributed by Ben of the INCAT CAD Geeks

Stretchy Parts in Inventor and Productstream

Sometimes you must wear stretchy pants... Is just for fun...

Jack Black - Nacho Libre

Well this isn't the movies but in Inventor the phrase might go like this...

Sometimes you must use stretchy parts... Its just for the best Digital Prototype...

The problem with stretchy parts like springs or oRings in Inventor is that you may need to show them in different stretched positions, maybe even on the same drawing sheet. By placing multiple part variations in your assembly we have the ability to document these type of parts in the context of a mechanistic assembly drawing. Just tweak a BOM setting, create a View Represtentation, and you'll be all set to create just the right assembly drawing views with your "stretchy parts".

I have created a video of a stapler with a spring that must be extended in any view where the stapler is open. In addition, with a BOM setting changed, Productstream will even display exactly the right BOM for the design as well.

Watch Video Here

Contributed by Ben of the INCAT CAD Geeks

Labels for Tracking Project Milestones

One common feature in Vault and Productstream that is commonly overlooked is the ability track a project milestone with labels. Labels will allow you to revert back to a files snapshot as it was when the snapshot was taken, or to export the label as a "Pack & Go".

Take a look at an example here:

Watch Video Here

Contributed by Ben of the INCAT CAD Geeks

Delete Permissions in Vault or ProductStream

Every company is concerned about safeguarding their engineering data, and both Vault and Productstream allow control over exactly who has the ability to delete files and folders. You may have Power Users in charge of cleaning up unnecessary Vault data, and will therefore need Delete permissions. Other daily CAD users may be a little too quick with the delete function, and this is something that might need to be precisely controlled. Take a look at this short video for a look at the different Vault roles that determine who can delete.

Watch Video Here

Contributed by Ben of the INCAT CAD Geeks

Change Impact - What happens when you don't know?

One of the common impediments to manufacturing change is the ability to determine what will be impacted if a component is changed. Has it been used in other designs? Has another co-worker used it in their designs. Can a change be made that may impact the function of another design different than the current one I am addressing. Change Impact awareness can rapidly determine if new part numbers need to be created for the application at hand. Take a look at this video for an example of the Impact Analysis tools in Autodesk Vault and ProductStream.

Watch Video Here

Contributed by Ben of the INCAT CAD Geeks

Understanding version vs. revisions

Within Autodesk Vault we have wonderful version management, but most customers would also like the ability to capture each revisions level. The Vaults bigger brother called Productstream will do that for you. Check out this image to better understand the basics.

Enjoy

Kevin with the INCAT Geeks