Autodesk Vault
Encyclopedia
Data management
Data management comprises all the disciplines related to managing data as a valuable resource.- Overview :The official definition provided by DAMA International, the professional organization for those in the data management profession, is: "Data Resource Management is the development and execution...
tool integrated with Autodesk Inventor
Autodesk Inventor
Autodesk Inventor, developed by U.S.-based software company Autodesk, is 3D mechanical solid modeling design software for creating 3D digital prototypes used in the design, visualization and simulation of products...
Series, Autodesk Inventor Professional, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD Electrical, and Civil 3D products. It helps design teams track work in progress and maintain version control in multi-user environments. It allows them to organize and reuse designs by consolidating product information and reducing the need to re-create designs from scratch. Users can store and search both CAD data (such as Autodesk Inventor, DWG, and DWF files) and non-CAD documents (such as Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is a word processor designed by Microsoft. It was first released in 1983 under the name Multi-Tool Word for Xenix systems. Subsequent versions were later written for several other platforms including IBM PCs running DOS , the Apple Macintosh , the AT&T Unix PC , Atari ST , SCO UNIX,...
and Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel is a proprietary commercial spreadsheet application written and distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications...
files).
Overview
The Vault environment functions as a client server application with the central SQL database and Autodesk Data Management Server (ADMS) applications installed on a Windows based server with client access granted via various clients such as: Thick Client (Vault Explorer) and Application Integrations. ADMS acts as the middleware that handles client transactions with the SQL database. Vault Explorer functions as the client application and is intended to run alongside the companion CAD software. The Vault Explorer UI (User Interface) is intended to have an appearance similar to Microsoft Outlook and can display the Vault folder structure, file metadata in the form of a grid and a preview pane for more detailed information.Autodesk Vault is as file versioning system that "records" the progression of all edits a file has undergone. All files and their associated metadata are indexed in the SQL base data management system and are searchable from the Vault client interface. Other information about the files include version history, uses (composed of, a list of children), Where Used (a list of all parents) as well as a light weight viewable in the form of the Autodesk Design Web Format
Design Web Format
Design Web Format is a secure file format developed by Autodesk for the efficient distribution and communication of rich design data to anyone who needs to view, review, or print design files...
(DWF) file which is automatically published upon check-in. When users intend to edit a file the file is checked-out and edits are made. When the user is satisfied with the changes the file checked-in and new file version, containing the new changes, is then available to other users in the workgroup. In-process file changes (file saves) are hidden from other users until the changes are checked-in. As files are edited, renamed and moved in the folder structure the Vault database automatically updates any file references in related files.
Vault is intended to be the core data management strategy for Autodesk's design products and therefore has add-ins to many of Autodesk's design solutions.
ADMS also plays another role as the hosts for Autodesk Inventor's Content Center (Standard Parts Library) for use by Inventor when it's desired that they are hosted in a central location.
The Autodesk Vault Family of Products
The Autodesk Vault product family is a stack of products each offering incremental functionality over the previous product. While the base "Autodesk Vault" is included with many Autodesk design applications; additional functionality is available based on the needs of the organization. The following products are part of the Autodesk Vault Family.- Vault - Work-in-Process Data Management
- Vault Workgroup - Revision Management & Security
- Vault Collaboration - Scalability for Larger Workgroups and Multiple Sites
- Vault Professional - Professional Level Capabilities Such as Customization, ERP Integration and More
Note: For the 2011 Release, Autodesk Vault Manufacturing was Renamed to Autodesk Vault Professional. This was also formerly known as Autodesk Productstream in prior releases.
Functionality Matrix
| Function | V | VW | VC | VP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File Management Tools | --X-- | --X-- | --X-- | --X-- |
| Single Workgroup | --X-- | --X-- | --X-- | --X-- |
| Fast Searching | --X-- | --X-- | --X-- | --X-- |
| Autodesk CAD Integrations | --X-- | --X-- | --X-- | --X-- |
| Design Reuse Tools | --X-- | --X-- | --X-- | --X-- |
| File Revision Control and Lifecycles | --X-- | --X-- | --X-- | |
| Utilities for Batch Plotting | --X-- | --X-- | --X-- | |
| Automatic File Naming | --X-- | --X-- | --X-- | |
| Stand Alone Client for Non-CAD Users | --X-- | --X-- | --X-- | |
| File and Folder Security | --X-- | --X-- | --X-- | |
| Reporting | --X-- | --X-- | --X-- | |
| Server Based DWF Publishing | --X-- | --X-- | --X-- | |
| Multi-Site Replication | --X-- | --X-- | ||
| Search, View and Print Web Client | --X-- | --X-- | ||
| Advanced Backup & Windows Authentication | --X-- | --X-- | ||
| Bill of Material Management | --X-- | |||
| Engineering Change Management | --X-- | |||
| Co-Exist with Enterprise Business Systems | --X-- |
Legend
- V - Vault (Base)
- VW - Vault Workgroup
- VC - Vault Collaboration
- VP - Vault Professional
History
Autodesk Vault was initially known as truEVault; part of an acquisition from a company called truEInnovations, Inc. based in Eagan, MinnesotaEagan, Minnesota
Eagan is a city south of Saint Paul in Dakota County in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies on the south bank of the Minnesota River, upstream from the confluence with the Mississippi River. Eagan and nearby suburbs form the southern portion of Minneapolis-St. Paul, the fifteenth largest...
. truEInnovations was started by two entrepreneurs, Brian Roepke and Dean Brisson in 1999. The company was founded on the basis of bringing a more affordable tool for managing engineering data to the market.
After the asset acquisition of truEInnovations by Autodesk in 2003, Autodesk began to further the integration of the product into the manufacturing product line, starting with Autodesk Inventor.
Supported Applications
As of the 2012 release, the following applications are supported by Autodesk Vault.| Application | Version |
|---|---|
| AutoCAD AutoCAD AutoCAD is a software application for computer-aided design and drafting in both 2D and 3D. It is developed and sold by Autodesk, Inc. First released in December 1982, AutoCAD was one of the first CAD programs to run on personal computers, notably the IBM PC... |
2012, 2011, 2010 |
| AutoCAD Architecture AutoCAD Architecture AutoCAD Architecture is a version of Autodesk's flagship product, AutoCAD, with tools and functions specially suited to architectural work.... |
2010, 2011 |
| AutoCAD LT* | 2012 |
| AutoCAD Electrical | 2012, 2011, 2010 |
| AutoCAD Map 3D | 2012, 2011, 2010 |
| AutoCAD Mechanical | 2012, 2011, 2010 |
| AutoCAD MEP | 2012, 2011, 2010 |
| AutoCAD Plant 3D | 2012, 2011, 2010 |
| AutoCAD P&ID | 2012, 2011, 2010 |
| AutoCAD Civil 3D | 2012 |
| Autodesk Simulation Mechanical | 2012 |
| Autodesk Simulation Multiphysics | 2012 |
| Autodesk Buzzsaw* | 2012 |
| Autodesk Inventor | 2012,2011 |
| Autodesk Inventor Professional | 2012,2011 |
| Autodesk Inventor LT* | 2012 |
| Autodesk Inventor Publisher | 2012 |
| Autodesk Inventor Fusion | 2012 |
| Autodesk 3DS Max | 2012 |
| Autodesk 3DS Max Design | 2012 |
| Autodesk Navisworks Simulate | 2012 |
| Autodesk Navisworks Manage | 2012 |
| Autodesk Revit Architecture | 2012 |
| Autodesk Revit Structure | 2012 |
| Autodesk Revit MEP | 2012 |
| Microsoft Office Microsoft Office Microsoft Office is a non-free commercial office suite of inter-related desktop applications, servers and services for the Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, introduced by Microsoft in August 1, 1989. Initially a marketing term for a bundled set of applications, the first version of... |
2003, 2007, 2010 |
| Microsoft Office Outlook* | 2010 |
- These integrations are only available for Vault Workgroup and above. Not the base Vault
Software Timeline
| Release | Date | Products Shipped With |
|---|---|---|
| Autodesk Vault 1.0 | July 2003 | Autodesk Inventor Autodesk Inventor Autodesk Inventor, developed by U.S.-based software company Autodesk, is 3D mechanical solid modeling design software for creating 3D digital prototypes used in the design, visualization and simulation of products... 7 (as a subscription only download) |
| Autodesk Vault 1.3 | September 2003 | Autodesk Inventor Autodesk Inventor Autodesk Inventor, developed by U.S.-based software company Autodesk, is 3D mechanical solid modeling design software for creating 3D digital prototypes used in the design, visualization and simulation of products... 8 |
| Autodesk Vault 2.0 | January 2004 | Available as a subscription only download |
| Autodesk Vault 3.0 | June 2004 | Autodesk Inventor Autodesk Inventor Autodesk Inventor, developed by U.S.-based software company Autodesk, is 3D mechanical solid modeling design software for creating 3D digital prototypes used in the design, visualization and simulation of products... 9 |
| Autodesk Vault 4.0 | March 2005 | Autodesk Inventor Autodesk Inventor Autodesk Inventor, developed by U.S.-based software company Autodesk, is 3D mechanical solid modeling design software for creating 3D digital prototypes used in the design, visualization and simulation of products... 10 |
| Autodesk Vault 5.0 | March 2006 | Autodesk Inventor Autodesk Inventor Autodesk Inventor, developed by U.S.-based software company Autodesk, is 3D mechanical solid modeling design software for creating 3D digital prototypes used in the design, visualization and simulation of products... 11, AutoCAD Civil 3D 2007, AutoCAD Electrical 2007, AutoCAD Mechanical 2007 |
| Autodesk Vault 2008 | March 2007 | Autodesk Inventor Autodesk Inventor Autodesk Inventor, developed by U.S.-based software company Autodesk, is 3D mechanical solid modeling design software for creating 3D digital prototypes used in the design, visualization and simulation of products... 2008, AutoCAD Civil 3D 2008, AutoCAD Electrical 2008, AutoCAD Mechanical 2008, Autodesk 3ds Max 2008 |
| Autodesk Vault 2009 | March 2008 | Autodesk Inventor Autodesk Inventor Autodesk Inventor, developed by U.S.-based software company Autodesk, is 3D mechanical solid modeling design software for creating 3D digital prototypes used in the design, visualization and simulation of products... 2009, AutoCAD Civil 3D 2009, AutoCAD Electrical 2009, AutoCAD Mechanical 2009, Autodesk 3ds Max 2009 |
| Autodesk Vault 2010 | April 2009 | Autodesk Inventor Autodesk Inventor Autodesk Inventor, developed by U.S.-based software company Autodesk, is 3D mechanical solid modeling design software for creating 3D digital prototypes used in the design, visualization and simulation of products... 2010, AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010, AutoCAD Electrical 2010, AutoCAD Mechanical 2010, Autodesk 3ds Max 2010 |
| Autodesk Vault 2011 | March 2010 | Autodesk Inventor Autodesk Inventor Autodesk Inventor, developed by U.S.-based software company Autodesk, is 3D mechanical solid modeling design software for creating 3D digital prototypes used in the design, visualization and simulation of products... 2011, AutoCAD Civil 3D 2011, AutoCAD Electrical 2011, AutoCAD Mechanical 2011, Autodesk 3ds Max 2011 |
| Autodesk Vault 2012 | March 2011 | (Ships with various Suites as well as many new additional supported applications for the AEC market. See the list of supported applications for full details.) |