What's New in Vault 2022: For the Author/Contributor

SENTHIL KUMAR: Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, everybody. Thank you so much for joining. Today we are going to talk about what's new in Vault 2022 for the personas author and contributor.

My name is Senthil Kumar, and I'm the product manager for Vault based out of Singapore. I've been with Autodesk for the last sixteen years. I started as a product support engineer, moved to QA, QA manager, product owner, before becoming a product manager. Prior to joining Autodesk, I worked for Autodesk Distributor, PTC, and Delcam.

Here is a session description. So we are going to talk about what we have delivered with Vault 2022 in terms of for the personas author and participant. And here are the learning objectives for this class. We will learn how to manage Inventor's Model State in Vault. And we will learn how to save even more time with the new filters that have been introduced in Duplicate Search. And we will also learn how to access and view the data using a completely revamped web browser experience. And last, we will be learning about some general announcements made in this new release for effective workflow.

For Vault 2022 release we are delivering a modern, connected, and insightful user experience. How did we do that? With the Vault 2022 release, we based the features that we delivered on user personas and roles within the company. We made sure each role got the right set of capabilities, and the best technology to access those capabilities.

For example, for authors, like Inventor users, we are making sure they are connected to the design data and focused on the work they love, while remaining inside Inventor. We unlocked more design data by delivering a better integrated data experience, and also efficiently managing engineering BOM variants.

However, to make sure the whole experience for authors and other personas is working smoothly, [INAUDIBLE] also have been made to modernize the overall administration experience. That includes some authentication options, replication enhancements, and enhanced user and group management. But we are not going to talk about that in this class. There is a separate class on admin experience. So please keep a watch for that.

With respect to participants, we help them to access and work with engineering data in the office or on the go, whether it is on the desktop or with the mobile. Within the administration, or with external contractors and stakeholders. Whether with the Vault new browser experience, or with the mobile app, it will keep the customer work moving on the top floor, on the shop floor, and beyond. So with that we can say Vault 2022, the collaboration is going to be much easier than ever.

All right, let's start by showing how authors can stay focused on the work that they love. Integrated data experience. A design engineer needs access to the design data, such as various information, engineering bill of materials, engineering change information. How can that happen? That can happen if there is a solution to connect and to expose the data in an integrated data experience.

Let's look at them one by one. You all may know that with Inventor, we have this panel called Show Details. Today that panel is not dockable. That means when the panel is up, you cannot work on any other command. So the first thing that we made is that particular panel, Show Details panel, is dockable inside Inventor.

You can dock it on the left side, right side, bottom, or top. Also, we added various other tabs, like User Tab, Bill of Materials tab, Change Your Information tab, and so on. And the more important thing is you can assign an item directly within your CAD environment. And also, you can access the Change Item Information. Let's look into that in a quick demo.

Show Details can be accessed from the ribbon or from the Vault browser. As I mentioned, you can dock it on the left, you can dock it on the bottom, or you can dock it on the right. And you can see that we have Users tab, Menus tab, and the information in the Show Details panel changes based on the selection that you make from Model Browser or Vault Browser or Canvas.

You can see that you can access Change Order and Bill of Material. And you can also go to those specific Change Order items. And you can customize these columns by adding the required columns that you want. So here I'm adding a thumbnail column. And you can select, and then you can also open directly from the Show Details panel. And as I mentioned, you can assign an update item. And since everything is controllable from the Show Details, so you can do the checkout, you can change state by selecting those components from the Show Details panel.

All right, so that's what has done during the 2022 RTM time frame. We recently released Vault 2022.1 update. In that, we have enhanced the Show Details information by adding Copy Design. Yes. Now you can run Vault Copy Design directly inside Autodesk Inventor.

So this command is available in the Users tab, or the Values tab from the Show Details panel. You can also run Copy Design command from the Vault browser, from the right-click menu. Once the Copy Design is done, you can open the copied files directly inside Inventor. That's a huge change with respect to the integrated data experience.

The next one that we are going to talk about is Model States. Inventor, in 2022 release, they introduced this new concept called Model State. So we can call them as a bill of material variant. So we can create various variants of the same file inside a single file.

So now, how Vault can manage those model states? You can check in Model State files. You can open or place Model State file directly from Vault. You can assign item to each and every model state if the part numbers are different. And you can also manage those BOM variants.

So let's see how. Here is a video. So you can see that I have multiple model states-- [INAUDIBLE] and drills. So this is talking about manufacturing information. So here, the part number sourcing for all the model states. And when I assign item to this particular part, it will get only one item, because the part numbers are same for all the model states. If the part numbers are different for each and every model state, then every model state will get their item individually.

So you can see here, I am assigning an item on a part which has multiple model states with a different part number. And you can see here, there are individual items that are same for every part of the state. And as I mentioned, you can also open Model State information directly from Vault. So we have an option to choose which model state that you wanted to open our or So that's how you can manage model state files inside Vault.

And Show Details also helps you to show the information based on the model status. So here I'm changing the different model state. And based on the selection, you can see those bill of materials getting changed. And once you get into the bill of material, you can also do a compare.

All right, so Vault 2020 to RTM. When you have drawings created from a model state, there are no options to open those drawings directly from Vault. But with the 2022.1 update, we introduced Open Drawing from Vault command for each and every model state.

So let's say you have created a drawing, or a specific model state, and if that model state is active, and you select the model state and right-click, and you can open those drawings specifically created for that specific model state. And if a single drawing is associated with a model state, the drawing file opens directly from Vault. And if there are multiple drawings associated to the model state, and then you get a dialogue given for you to choose which file that you wanted to open. And if there is no associated drawing to the model state, it gives you the list of all the drawings, from where you can choose the one that you want to open.

The next announcement with the dot 1 update is, let's say that you have created a drawing for a specific model state. Today, with RTM, when you assign item, the item gets attached with all the drawings created for all the model states. So that was a complaint from our customers, saying that, no, this is not the right thing. I want to attach only the related drawing to that specific model state.

So with the 2022.1 update, that is possible now. So when you assign item, the item is getting attached with only the drawing that is being created for that specific model state. Let's take a quick look.

So here is an assembly, and I have to go to an item. Assembly with a different model state. So you can see that there are four different items. And I choose a specific item. And if you just see here, it's only that specific drawing is being attached. So that's how the drawings are getting attached now.

While we are enhancing this model state, we also introduced a new property called Has Model State. So this property is available in the Vault pipeline. And this helps you to search the models by whether that particular specific file has model state or not. So it's a true or false value. And you can also use this to customize the views by adding those columns. And from that you can identify whether that specific pipe has model state or not. So this is, again, another enhancement that we have done, where we did model state management.

All right, so far we have talked about the model state announcements. The next one that we are going to talk about is duplicate reduction. You all know that we introduced duplicate reduction a couple of releases ago. And we were enhancing this duplicate reduction in each and every release and update. So what are the new things that we have done with Vault 2022?

So with Vault 2022, we added new search filters, so that way you can exclude mirror parts. You can identify the exact match, and you can also exclude different materials. Plus, you can also search using advanced metadata. You can use that in the combination of the geometric search.

Let's take a quick look. So here is an assembly. And I'm going to do a search, so Duplicate Search. And this is the normal filter. Here is the metadata search. All right, let's search, and it gives you the results of all the duplicate files. Now select that particular, specific one, and then apply the filters.

So here you have all the new filters, advanced filters that have been added. And based on the selection, the result is going to be narrowed down. So you can see that it also gives a warning that this particular result is being filtered out. So it's going to give you more accurate information.

All right. While we are talking about accessing the contextual and development information, there has been some requests in the Ideas forum that users wanted to see who released last, and when it was released last. So the request was to have two properties, the last approver name, plus the last approved, or the last release date.

So we added these two new properties, Last Release Date, and Last Approver properties. And this is available in the Properties panel. And you can also use this information in the revision table and title block to fill that information, when it was released last, and who was the last approver. So this is a pretty useful property, to find out who approved and who released last.

The next enhancement that we did is we, in the selection dialogue, so we made some enhancement. So how is this going to be useful? Let's say you are in Copy Design today in Vault 2022, and you want to add a file. So you go for a Select Dialog. In that, there is just the folder view. There is no advanced tab. Advanced tab contains shortcuts, search folders. Plus, it also contains an advanced search.

Without this, it was kind of difficult to find a specific file, and it was a cumbersome process to go and find the right file. So we added Advanced tab to the Select File dialog. That way it will become easier to choose that correct file, either using the Advanced Search, or using the shortcuts, or using the Search folders.

But, while we were doing these enhancements to the Copy Design, we also found that the same enhancement can be applied to Attachment Dialog, Purge Dialog, Rename Dialog, Replace Dialog, Item, and Plot Manager. So you do it in one particular dialog, and that can be applied for multiple other dialogs. So that's the beauty of the components that we are having.

The next most important update that we released with the Vault 2022.1 is we are introducing a new viewer called Autodesk Viewer, also known as the Forge Viewer. So long, it's only Autodesk Design Review is the only viewer available with Vault client. And there were some performance issues being reported.

So we wanted to introduce this Autodesk Viewer, along with the ADR in the thin client. So now both ADR, as well as Autodesk Viewer, are available for you to choose. And you can choose which one you want to use as a default using the options. You can go to Tools, Options, and then the default settings for viewing class, you have Design View as well as the viewer.

While we are introducing this viewer, we also introduced print, as well as markup capabilities. Right, that's also good. That's also possible now. So you can do markup, and then you can save those markups as a PNG file. So right now, the PNG files are getting saved outside the Vault. But in the future, we will be enhancing this one further. And we also introduced print capabilities for this viewer. This print is a screenshot printing. So it is going to be whatever you are seeing in the screen gets printed.

While we are enhancing all these add-ins, the Inventor add-in, the [INAUDIBLE] clients, we all know that Vault also has the third party plugins. So we have add-ins for SolidWorks we have add-ins for Creo, and we have add-ins for MicroStation. But the release of Vault 2022, we also updated those third party add-ins to support Vault 2022.

And while updating to Vault 2022 in SolidWorks, specifically, we added Vault Details panel. This is similar to the Show Details panel that you see inside Inventor. So we have also added the Show Details, and we renamed it into Vault Details inside SolidWorks.

So inside SolidWorks, you have the History tab, Users tab, Variants tab, Change Order, build out materials, you can assign items, you can go to folder, you can go to items, and everything can be done. So these are enhancements that we have done with the SolidWorks add-in.

With the Creo add0in, we are supporting now the Creo 7 release. With MicroStation add-in, which was released a couple of weeks ago, we are supporting the new Connect Edition 14, as well as 15.

So far, we have looked into the role author. Now let's move on to the next persona, participant. So participant, how they can stay connected to your engineering data anywhere, and also in real time.

So what are the challenges that participants have? When they are working on shop floor, they want to reduce the amount of paper needed, and they do not need to go to a computer terminal to access any data. And there is no need to type a part number to search for the drawings. They would like to search a drawing without typing anything, right?

So at the customer site, they don't want to get caught without the right documentation. And they should feel confident that they know they are viewing the correct and up-to-date information. And also they are able to do a document engineering change request on the fly.

And while they are in the field, they would like to reduce the need to print off paper documents, and they would like to search the drawings if they have QR codes without any part number. And again, they do not want to get caught without the right documentation. So these are the challenges they know they are having. So how can we help them?

So we are introducing a completely revamped, new browser experience, which is again a zero deployment to access, view, and collaborate on vaulted data. So what's new in this new browser experience? It is a modern user experience plus very easy to use, and it also supports desktop as well as tablet. And it has support for multi-tab browser support. So also it supports multiple browsers.

And this new browser experience has the Autodesk viewer, similar to the one that we have seen it with the thin client. Where we can view both 2D as well as 3D design. And most importantly, with this new browser experience, now you can access Change Order information. Previously with the old so-called thin client, the Change Order information was not available. But with this new browser experience, Change Order information is available.

We are also supporting folder, as well as project links. Again, this is new than the existing old thin client. You can multi-select to view, as well as download. And you can create desktop as well as web browser links directly from this new browser experience. And then you can share them across. So these are the new enhancements that we have done with this new browser experience.

Let's take a look into these enhancements in a video

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NARRATOR 1: Data is the backbone of your design, engineering, and manufacturing process. Autodesk Vault Professional 2022 makes it easier than ever for your colleagues outside of engineering to work with your engineering data and change orders. With our Vault 2022 release, there's an improved browser experience available.

Using the browser-based thin client, there's no need to install software to your desktop. You only need your Vault's URL and your login information. The Vault browser experience provides a convenient way to collaborate with your colleagues using only your familiar web browser.

The browser interface makes finding and viewing your vaulted data quick and easy. You can navigate workspaces like folders, items, and change orders, and open file previews in the viewer with just a few clicks. The left side navigation pane allows you to search the folder structure to find files. From the top bar, select View for file viewing. Each selected file opens in its own tab.

You can search across all properties for files, items, and change orders. Use multiple tabs so that you can view further details of a component without losing context. The new thin client integrates the Autodesk Forge Viewer directly into the interface. This allows you to view and navigate through complex assemblies by displaying 2D and 3D views of your designs.

You can also collaborate on PDF and Office files for supporting documentation that's often needed to get product development done right. It's easy to share the files by sending links to others to open in either a browser or Vault. With the correct permissions, you can also download files to your local drive, in order to review them in native software, or pass them to your collaborators who don't have permission to access your Vault.

The full audit trail for each item is tracked inside Vault Professional's change order system, and is available in the browser experience, to help you understand why decisions were made and by whom. Access and view design data, bill of materials, and engineering change orders using only your web browser and vault credentials. Collaboration is easier than ever with Autodesk Vault Professional 2022.

SENTHIL KUMAR: Wow. Looks so cool, right? And so when we released the RTM with this new browser experience, there was no Bill of Material tab available. So with the Vault 2022.1 update we are including the support for item Bill of Materials, as well as the item Where Used information. So these are the new things that we added with this dot 1 update.

Similar to the one that we have seen in the Vault thin client or the new browser experience, we can do markup as well as print. So same thing, right now you create a markup, and then you save that markup as a PNG file into the desktop. And then you can attach them back to Vault later.

Let's look into that announcement in a video.

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NARRATOR 2: Autodesk Vault 2022.1 brings you a modern, connected, and insightful experience, with great automation for faster workflows, and the flexibility to work with your design data anywhere, with the Vault browser and mobile app. Vault 2022.1 allows you to view CAD files with the new Autodesk Viewer, add and export markups directly from inside the Vault desktop client, and run Vault Copy Design from Autodesk Inventor. Copy Design is available inside Autodesk Inventor from the Vault Show Details panel, or from the Vault browser.

With the Copy Design dialog open, we can configure our copy, setting which components you want to copy, and which you want to reuse, the location of the copy, and how we want to name the new components. In the Open dialog, we can see that the Advanced Search options are now available consistently for all File Open dialogs in Inventor and the Vault client. When the copy is complete, we can open the new design directly from the Copy Design dialog with a right-click.

Model State support has been added when opening drawings from Vault. Right-click on a model state in the browser to open the corresponding drawing of the model state from Vault.

In the desktop client for Vault 2022.1, we now have a choice of viewer. You can choose to use the Autodesk Viewer from the Vault Options. The Autodesk Viewer includes additional support for navigating and browsing the model structure. You can also take dimensions from your model and section or explode the model right inside of Vault. Additionally, you can add markups to the model, which can then be printed or exported as an image for your own reference, or to include in an approval workflow.

Vault administrators now have additional options to help understand user and group access. Additional columns can be added to the User and Group Management dialog to show effective access to vaults. Filters can be used to sort users in groups by effective access. And user and group effective access information can be exported for further analysis.

Configuring SSL has been made simpler and easier for you with new configuration options. Vault administrators can view the network configuration and configure SSL for secure communication on the Network Settings tab of the Global Settings dialog.

Vault thin client 2022.1 includes support for item Bill of Materials and Where Used. The item Where Used tab shows the bottom-up hierarchy of a single part, which also contains nested items that you can expand or collapse. The Bill of Materials tab lists items in a multi-level or parts only view. Rows in the multi-level hierarchy can be expanded to view nested items.

The Vault browser also includes support for navigation, measuring, and markup. Section or explode your model, browse the model hierarchy, add dimensions or markups, and then save or print a snapshot image of your 2D or 3D files, including their markups, just like in the desktop client.

Autodesk Vault 2022.1 continues to build on your feedback from Autodesk Ideas and the Vault Beta community with these usability improvements.

SENTHIL KUMAR: All right, so this video talks about what are the enhancements that we have done with Vault 2022.1 updates. Also, it includes everything that we have done with update, be it an author, or be it an admin, or be it a participant.

So the next portion that we are going to talk about is called mobile. The world that we live in is mobile. So every information that you want to see and act, we want them available in mobile, right? So we have a Vault mobile app. And that can connect to Vault Professional 2020, 2021, and 2022 servers. And it's available in both iOS as well as Android.

And using this Vault mobile you can view both 2D as well as 3D designs. You can check in, check out non-CAD files. You can review, approve, and sign documents. And more importantly, you can search using QR code as well as the barcode. Or you can use simple and extended searches. And you can also create and participate in the change order requests.

So let's take a quick look into the video that helps you to understand what are those new functionalities that is available in Vault mobile app.

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NARRATOR 1: The Autodesk Vault mobile app gives you the flexibility to work with your vaulted design and engineering data on your mobile device. Search vault, and work with design data, bill of material item, life cycle states, and change orders. Take your CAD designs with you onto the shop floor, on site, and out to meet your customer.

As a designer or engineer, you author the documentation required to communicate your design to your colleagues and customers. Vault helps you to securely manage your data through document check in and check out, and process control with lifecycle state. You can securely track and control the data you create, make sure that we all see the right data at the right time.

But how do you manage your data when you're away from your workstation? The Vault mobile app allows you to search and navigate your vault to work with your data on the go. Browse your design's file structure to find the relevant files or attachments that document your design. Preview your 2D and 3D data, and check out your non-CAD data to review your designs with a colleague or customer.

Take Vault to your colleagues on the shop floor to collaborate on design for manufacture, or take Vault off-site to your customer for a design review. When your review session is complete, check your document back in to Vault with a comment to let others know what's changed.

Vault Professional provides a great way to manage change on your projects through integrated engineering change orders. The Vault mobile app helps you to create a new change order from wherever you are, directly from your mobile device. Check in documents from your mobile device and add them to the change order. Add comments to the change order, and submit it into your system. The Vault mobile app will automatically sync the change order to Vault, and the new information will be visible to anyone with access to your vault immediately.

For every document author in your company, there are many document consumers who need to access your vaulted data. Document consumers may not have a dedicated workstation to access vaulted data. So what could be easier than accessing Vault from your mobile device? The Vault mobile app means you don't have to go to your data, your data will come to you.

Search and navigate the vault, or use a QR code to associate vaulted data with drawings or equipment in the real world. View 2D and 3D files, measure components, and find the associated documentation all from your mobile device. Work with your design and engineering data anywhere, any time, with the Autodesk Vault mobile app.

SENTHIL KUMAR: Fantastic. As we talked, using Vault mobile app you can work from anywhere, any time, and you will access the right design data.

So with that, we have come to a conclusion. We talked about how Vault 2022 can help you to help those personas, authors and participants. And with Vault 2022, the collaboration is easier than ever.

So if you have any feedback on the Vault product, you can always get into the feedback community. If you have any ideas that you would like to get implemented, please go ahead and report them in Vault Ideas. With that, thank you so much for joining this session, and we will talk to you later. Thank you very much.