Welcome back to our blog series aimed at demystifying Autodesk technology for design and manufacturing. In this article, we will investigate how factory equipment suppliers can optimise their workflows by leveraging Autodesk Construction Cloud, with insights from our expert, Ives Veelaert, Autodesk's Principal Technical Solutions Executive for EMEA.
Today, we focus on the seamless interaction between Inventor, Revit, Vault, and Autodesk Construction Cloud. Specifically, we will explore how to simplify the transition from an Inventor design to a Revit model that can be utilised downstream. Additionally, we will investigate different methods of getting this Revit model into the cloud, considering owner preferences, technology stack, and company setup.
One approach is to synchronise Vault with Autodesk Construction Cloud, requiring the loading of the Revit model into Vault. This can be achieved manually within Revit or through the factory design utility, which allows for the direct generation and upload of the Revit file from Inventor to Vault.
Once the Revit model is successfully uploaded, we can leverage Autodesk Vault and the Desktop Connector—a desktop synchronisation folder—to seamlessly connect to Autodesk Construction Cloud through Vault. This integration ensures that the manufacturing company can directly collaborate with the team responsible for generating the Revit file, all within the local environment behind the firewall.
In cases where the manufacturing company is external, an alternative solution is to utilise the Vault Web Client. This enables the exposure of the Revit file to external companies, who can then directly upload it to Autodesk Construction Cloud. This can be accomplished by creating a standalone cloud model or by utilising Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro for a centralised file approach.
To begin, we need to load our Inventor model, including the assembly and parts. This can be easily accomplished using Vault as our data management storage solution.
Once the Inventor model is loaded, the next step is to click on the "Simplify" button. This action will initiate the simplification process, allowing us to specify the elements we want to remove to generate a streamlined Revit file.
Once the Revit model is generated, we can seamlessly move on to the next step, which involves uploading the Revit file to Vault. This ensures the Revit model is securely stored and easily accessible for further collaboration and integration within the Autodesk ecosystem.
The process starts by manually navigating to the desired folder within Vault directly from the Revit interface. From there, you can upload your file to the designated Vault folder effortlessly. This simple step ensures that your Revit file is securely stored within the Vault environment.
You can leverage Inventor's Factory Design Utilities (FDU) iLogic functionality to automate this process. By implementing iLogic, you can streamline and automate the uploading of Inventor files to the appropriate Vault folder, saving valuable time and effort.
Once your Revit file is successfully stored within Vault, it's time to synchronise it with Autodesk Construction Cloud. To achieve this, you need to map the specific Vault folder to Autodesk Docs using the Desktop Connector. This mapping establishes a seamless connection between Vault and Autodesk Construction Cloud, enabling easy access and real-time collaboration on the Revit file.
To streamline the workflow, you can schedule and specify conditions for document approval, ensuring synchronisation with Autodesk Construction Cloud occurs at the right time. Through the viewer, you can review and approve documents, adhering to the defined rules for synchronisation.
By incorporating these controls, you maintain data integrity and provide the team with accurate and approved information on Autodesk Construction Cloud.
Utilising Vault, Desktop Connector, and the synchronisation feature, you can seamlessly transfer your files to Autodesk Construction Cloud. By leveraging Job Processor, your files are synchronised with Desktop Connector and subsequently uploaded to Autodesk Construction Cloud.
With your files securely stored in Autodesk Construction Cloud, you can take advantage of powerful tools like the large model viewer, unlocking enhanced visualisation and collaboration capabilities.
To facilitate collaboration with external companies, you have the option to externalise the management of the Revit file. Using the Vault Web Client, the external company can easily download the file either directly from the Vault interface or through a shared location accessible via the Autodesk Vault Web Client.
Once the external company obtains the Revit file, they can seamlessly save it directly into Autodesk Construction Cloud, leveraging a familiar workflow.
Watch the video: Leveraging Construction Technology for Equipment Suppliers
By streamlining these workflows, factory equipment suppliers can enhance collaboration, expedite project timelines, and maximise the benefits of Autodesk Construction Cloud. Stay tuned for our next blog post in the series, where we will continue to explore the possibilities offered by Autodesk technology in the design and manufacturing landscape.
