Creating and uploading Vault files

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Going back to the original workflow,

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you can see that the first topic represents the first step in the Create, Update, Share workflow, as shown here in green.

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There are a couple of methods for getting your files into Vault.

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You can either reuse an existing design from the Vault to create a new design,

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or you can create files from scratch in your CAD software, and then check them into Vault.

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The first method creates new files in Vault, by leveraging existing files that already exist in Vault.

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This is an efficient method to use if your new design is similar to an existing design,

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because you won't have to build all the files from scratch.

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In using an existing file or files,

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you have the flexibility to decide how you want to copy the file and its children using specific Copy Design options.

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Initially, you need to locate the file to copy in Vault.

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In the case of Inventor, this could be a part, assembly, or even a drawing file.

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Once located, you select the Copy Design option, as I have shown here in the image.

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The files that have been selected to be copied are then presented in the Copy Design dialog box.

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This is where you will customize how the file or files will be copied.

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For example, if you choose to copy an assembly, any sub-assemblies and parts will all be presented to you in the dialog box.

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By defining how the file is copied, you can set the destination folder and whether files are included, reused, or not copied at all.

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You can also set how copied files will be named.

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Step 4 in the overall procedure is a good reminder to verify that all options are set as required before selecting Execute Copy.

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For more in-depth information on this topic, consider reviewing the help documentation

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or the Vault Copy Design Accelerator that is focused specifically on this tool.

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If there is no existing design in Vault that can be reused,

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you can work directly in your source CAD software,

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for example Inventor or AutoCAD, to create a file.

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In fact, you can also create new Microsoft Word documents using Vault Add-Ins.

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The file must be saved in the working folder that we discussed earlier.

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So, in the case of Inventor, you will use the Vault project file set up by your administrator that reflects this folder location.

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Once a new file or files are created and saved,

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you will notice an icon in the Vault browser that indicates that the file has not yet been checked in to Vault.

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You can use the Check In option on the Vault ribbon,

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or you can use the Vault browser to right click on the file name and click Check in.

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If you had previously used Copy Design and are ready to check in the file,

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the check in procedure steps are the same.

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The dialog box that appears enables you to set and control the check in details.

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At the top of the form, there are two options.

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These enable you to customize what will happen to your files on your local system after check in.

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The top option is Keep Files checked out, and should be enabled if you are intending to add files to Vault

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(maybe for backup or sharing purposes),

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but then want to still keep working on them so that no one else can make changes.

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The Close files and delete working copies option enables you to remove all the files from your local system after check in.

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If you choose not to select either of these options, the files are fully checked in to Vault,

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and the files will remain on your local system for future use.

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However, keep in mind that if you want to use these files again,

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you should ensure that they are the most up to date files before working on them,

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in case other users have checked out and made changes to those files.

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This list of files in the center of the form enables you to verify the files and the folder that they will be checked in to.

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At the bottom of the screen, there is an area to add comments about the check in.

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This is a great way to communicate what was changed, or in the case of the initial check in,

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you can add details on the initial design to help teammates learn about what was done to the design.

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Vault provides family previews of the files to help you visually identify the design.

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The icon with the red line through it is identifying that a visualization file will not be created at check in.

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To enable this, you can go into the setting options and enable it.

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This is recommended when checking in the file for the first time, so that the thumbnail is created.

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To check in the file, click OK.

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The file is then added to the Vault.