About Packaging Files with Pack and Go

Use Pack and Go to package a file and all of its referenced files into a single location.

Pack and Go packages an Autodesk Inventor file and all of its referenced files in a single location. All files that reference the selected Autodesk Inventor file from a selected project or folder can also be included in the package.

Use Pack and Go to archive a file structure, copy a complete set of files while retaining links to referenced files, or isolate a group of files for design experimentation.

You can initiate Pack and Go from Microsoft Windows Explorer or from a Design Assistant session started outside Autodesk Inventor.

Packaging process for files

When you package an Autodesk Inventor file, the specified file, the files that it references, and the files that reference the specified file are copied to a new destination. The source files remain in their original locations and are not changed in any way. Other files in the source folders are not included in the package. The copied files are also not changed in any way. A new project file is created for use with the packaged files. A log file and a copy of the original project file with a .txt suffix are also copied to the destination folder.

Subsequent changes made to the packaged files do not affect the source files.

Note: The log file is overwritten each time you package an Autodesk Inventor file to the same destination

Uses for Pack and Go

You can use a packaged Autodesk Inventor file in a number of ways:

Package files on a CD-ROM or other media for archiving.
Package a complete set of files to send to a vendor or contractor.
Isolate referenced files from other files in the same source folders. The log file created by the packaging operation provides a list of the files that are referenced by the packaged file.
Test alternate configurations or changes with the packaged files without changing the source files.
Copy an assembly to use as a starting point for a variant design or new release of a similar project.
Coalesce a project with multiple locations so that it can be used with the Autodesk Inventor Vault or as a library for another project.

Projects and Pack and Go

If all referenced files reside in a path under the location of the selected file, you can use the default project file. When you initiate a Pack and Go session, the session uses the active project file. You can then change the active project file.

If the files are stored in multiple locations, you must use a project file that specifies all the locations. When you package files, a new project file is created. All the files are copied to a hierarchy under the folder containing the new project file. Upon completion of the Pack and Go session, the active project file is reset to its present settings.