Under the Hood

Closing the Loop (PLM 360 links to Vault data)

This week’s PLM 360 tip covers how to establish a link from PLM 360 to Autodesk Vault. Now, for review we know that Vault Professional integrates with PLM 360, but this post covers a clever way to round-trip the process. This will involve some minor tweaks to any existing Workspace by creating a new field. First, let’s start with how we would get to the Vaulted file.

Whether you’re targeting a Vault Pro Item, Change Order, or a File, there is an option under the File pull down menu called Send Link. See image below:

Furthermore, you can shift-select a group of data and send it, and it will group all the Vault objects together. The key here is the link that it produces. In my example here I’ve chosen one Item. Note that is creates a link to the exact Vault object – Item, CO, or File.

Now that we’ve established one way to get the link to Vault data (yes, there are more elaborate ways) let’s focus on getting PLM 360 ready for the link. Log in to PLM 360 under an administrative account, and go to Administration>Setup and find your target Workspace. I’ve chosen Items and BOMs for my example.

Next, expand the Workspace and click the Item Details Tab entry. Click Add field and enter a name like ‘Vaulted File’ or something that establishes that this is a record that resides in Vault, as opposed to a url to another location.

Drag the field over to a section and Save Layout. Go back to the Workspace front end and choose an Item to edit.

Now, go copy the link to the link and paste it into the field you created. Save the item and examine the new data in the field. This is the link directly to the Vault file. But how does one use this?

Here’s where your mileage will vary. Depending on the browser you’re running and the settings therein, you will have to use a couple of techniques. First thing is to click the url.

If you have access to a Vault client, this will download a .acr file. Different browsers had this differently as mentioned, but the key here is to open the .acr file. By the way, this is the same functionality as getting an email from Vault Professional Change Orders when you are on the routing list.

However you chose to open the .acr, just be sure to set up your Vault client to ‘Automatically log in next session’ as this will save you the step of entering your name, password. And if I may suggest, use the Windows Authentication combined with auto log in for the best user experience. Finally, you will be brought directly to the Vault Item, CO, or File – providing you have rights to see it, but that’s another Blog post isn’t it?

Calling all PLM and Data Management Experts

The Autodesk University Call for Proposals site is now open! This year we have even more to talk about than ever. With the launch of Autodesk PLM 360, there is already the expertise out there, and we anticipate another great year at AU. So, if you’re an implementation expert or a customer with an Autodesk PLM/PDM solution you’d like to showcase, feel free to submit a class proposal for the updated track: “PLM, Data Management, and Collaboration. Be sure to check out the Tracks section and look up PLM, Data Management, and Collaboration for details on our vision for this. Here’s what we are looking for on this track:

This track addresses those who are involved in configuring Autodesk PLM 360 software for product lifecycle management (PLM), Autodesk® Vault software for data management (PDM), and Autodesk Buzzsaw for project collaboration.

PLM themes include getting started with Autodesk PLM 360, workspace configuration, and process modeling. Data Management themes include deployment, care, and maintenance of the Vault server and client applications and connections to PLM 360 and Buzzsaw. Collaboration themes include exchanging project information and supporting BIM workflows on the desktop, mobile devices, and web with Buzzsaw and Buzzsaw Mobile.

Track topics should offer examples of unique or advanced applications of Autodesk PLM 360, a behind-the-scenes look at Autodesk Vault, and workflows supporting Buzzsaw. Topics for more advanced classes should aim to educate those who are responsible for populating these applications with data, ensuring compliance, and routing or delegating work, as well as first-level support for each department’s manager.

In addition, we seek topics to address the needs of people who are responsible for creating, authoring, or consuming data—of any kind—and incorporating that data into processes that meet the needs of people who rely on these systems to be successful.

 

Looking forward to another great Autodesk University! See you there.

-Brian Schanen

Autodesk Vault and PLM 360 Integration

Great news for Autodesk Vault and Autodesk PLM 360 users! The Vault/PLM360 synchronization utility is in the final rounds of testing, and I have compiled a sneak peek video on the integration  - here – out on the PLM 360 Wiki Video page.

The first phase of the integration will provide a seamless push of Vault Professional (2013) Items to PLM 360 upon moving to the Release state. In the image below, this Bill of Material has been 'Released' in Vault Professional, and is sent to Autodesk PLM 360 (next image).

All Item, Bill of Material, structure, rev level, and quantity will be sent to PLM. In addition, select Item properties (UDP’s) will populate and update Items in PLM 360.

The sync configuration will involve setting up an optional Vault user account (similar to ‘Job User’), choosing a PLM 360 tenant, configuring a Workspace, and mapping Vault Properties to PLM 360 fields. Please see the video for more details. This is for Vault Professional 2013 only, and due out shortly.

In the mean time, consider brushing up on Vault Professional Items (hint, hint). To help prepare you, I’ll be reviewing Vault Item theory on this blog and calling up posts and AU papers from the past.

http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/PLM_360/enu/community/Videos/Autodesk_Vault_Professional_to_PLM_360_Synchronization

Enjoy!

 

-Brian Schanen

Autodesk Vault Courseware Mobilized

Hello Vault users, aficionados, enthusiasts. Coming up, we’ll be featuring some additional contributors to the Blog, covering all things Autodesk Vault (and more). Today’s post comes from Irvin Hayes – Technical Product Manager for Autodesk Data Management – regarding something he ran across at AU 2011 in the exhibit hall:

Ascent has the training material you need to learn about the Autodesk Vault Family of Products. Now when you purchase training material from Ascent, you can get softcover books or use an eBook that will work on your iPad, iPod Touch or iPhone.  Ascent offers detailed training material for all for levels of Autodesk Vault along with example data to use. In addition, Ascent also offers training material for a variety of Autodesk products. 

If you are looking for a new digital way to go through training software without lugging books around, have a look at Ascent’s estore new way to learn Vault here.

Autodesk University 2011 Diary - Day 1

Dear Diary,

Ok, I know technically that AU2011 doesn’t start until Tuesday Nov 29, but depending on who you ask, it starts today, maybe even yesterday (Sunday), and for some perhaps even before that. Today’s agenda includes preparation, dry runs, and customer listening sessions. I thought I would take a minute to reflect on the evolution of the Data Management track and the maturity of the Vault Family of products. I’ve put together some quick Fun Facts about Data Management classes at AU2011:

• 45 classes that feature Autodesk Data Management and the Vault Family of Products
• 26 of these are 90 minute Lectures
• 7 of these are 90 minute UnConferences
• 12 of these are Virtual classes (hint, hint, sign up…)

And the best part is these classes span across 10 tracks and disciplines including:

• Manufacturing
• Civil Infrastructure
• MEP Design and Engineering
• Data Management and Collaboration
• Customization and Programming
• Design Leadership
• Business Owner
• CAD Management and IT
• Utilities and Telecommunications
• Construction and Real Estate

For a quick list, please see my previous posts Part1 and Part2 a few weeks back. There are even more DM classes added since those posts. Check the AU site for exact room and availability. Registration is full on many of the Lecture and UnConference classes, but remember you can always come to the room and see if seats are open.

Stay tuned for more updates on Autodesk University 2011 throughout the week.

-Brian Schanen

New Autodesk Vault integration videos

Hey Vault enthusiasts! New video series is ready and posted to TheVaultKnowsAll. Introducing module 4, Engineering and Analysis with Autodesk Vault. This is a 6 part video module that continues examining integrations from a day-in-the-life from a CAD users perspective. These go beyond the integrations for AutoCAD and Inventor and include Vault integrations with Navisworks, 3DS Max, Inventor Publisher, Simulation, and Autodesk Revit.

-Brian Schanen

Autodesk Vault videos posted - Organization Enhancements

Vault class is still in session! Check out the new Autodesk Vault videos posted to TheVaultKnowsAll channel. Introducing Module 2, Organizing Your Vault. In this playlist, we'll examine new user interface enhancements, and new functionality within the Vault stand alone interface. Topics include Projects, Links, Where Used, and navigation enhancements. These apply to Vault Workgroup, Collaboration, and Professional 2012. There are seven videos in this module series.

-Brian Schanen

Vault ADMS installation videos

New videos posted to TheVaultKnowsAll. Introducing a You Tube video series covers the setup of Autodesk Data Management Server (ADMS). This takes place on a single machine, and the steps are similar if you have separate ADMS and License servers as well.

This playlist includes: the install of ADMS, installation of License server (LM Tools), and establishing a Vault backup schedule. Though the software used is Vault Collaboration AEC 2012, the steps are relevant for Vault Workgroup and Professional 2012 as well.

Special thanks to Adam Peter for the work and voice over on these videos!

 

-Brian Schanen

Restoring and Configuring Autodesk Vault – Video tutorials

Hey fellow Vault fans! Summer School classes just swung into motion with Module 0, and now I have uploaded Module 1 – Restore and Configuration of Autodesk Vault to TheVaultKnowsAll.

This is a multi-part series of Autodesk Vault training modules. In this module, we'll examine the administrative side of Autodesk Vault from a setup perspective. Whether you demonstrate or represent Autodesk Vault, or are a Vault Administrator, this series is for you. There are 11 videos in Module 1. Enjoy!

-Brian Schanen

Autodesk Vault - Summer School in session on You Tube

That’s right. Summer School for Autodesk Vault. You know there’s been a new release (2012) and maybe you haven’t had time to catch up on it. Well, I have just the thing…a couple dozen videos that cover both new and existing features of the Autodesk Vault Family of Products. This is what happens when one fires up Vault and abuses an espresso machine. Watch for all of these to be posted up to TheVaultKnowsAll You Tube channel.

Now, I’ve broken these down into modules/playlists, so you can come back and get schooled on Vault at your leisure. First, let’s start with Module 0 as an introduction to the Autodesk Vault Family of Products.

Class is in session, starting now:

 

-Brian Schanen