New Automated PDF Creation for Document Control
Vault 2018 provides the capability to automatically publish and manage 2D PDF files from CAD files as released documentation within the design release process.
Configurable PDF Settings
Vault 2018 automatically renders PDF formats from 2D design files using the same settings as the authoring CAD systems. It supports the DWG and IDW 2D design files from AutoCAD and Inventor drawing files.
For more information, see Configure PDF Publishing Options.
PDF Category Assignment
In Vault 2018, all PDF files created for document control are automatically assigned to the Design Representation category. A dedicated category allows administrators to manage their rules, lifecycles, and properties independent of the associated design files.
To learn more about lifecycle definitions, see Lifecycle Definition Administration.
Create PDF upon Change State
Administrators may configure Vault 2018 to automatically publish PDF files for document control during final release. During this transition, Vault's Job Processor automatically updates the drawing references and properties to ensure an accurate PDF representation.
For more information, see Publish PDF from 2D CAD Files.
Automatic PDF Attachment
In Vault 2018, PDF files created for document control are automatically attached to their accompanying design file. As a result, designers see all attached PDF files in the Vault Client's Uses tab.
Publish and Store PDF in Vault
In Vault 2018, PDF files published for document control may be automatically stored in the same project as their accompanying design files. Administrators may designate a folder for document control that is different than the folder specified for each design file.
Batch Plot Enhancements
Vault 2018 enhances batch plot to enable you to specify plot size, orientation, color, and scale on PDF and TIF files. In addition, batch plot now supports the placing of watermarks and stamps on PDF files during the plot operation.
Copy Design Improvements
Vault 2018 restores action rules mapping to filenames, allows action rules to be used across different vaults (assuming the property definitions exist), lets designers set target file properties to like properties of previous file revisions, preserves Inventor iLogic rules on copied data, and improves the copy operations of files with linked drawings.
For more information, see Copy Design--Rules, Conditions, and Property Behavior.
New Administrator Roles
Vault 2018 introduces new Administrator roles that allow team members to manage aspects of Vault such as configuration or security settings without being a full administrator.
- The new Project Administrator role provides authorization to remove reservations and delete select objects.
- The new Security Administrator role provides authorization for security settings for all object types. This includes files, folders, items and custom objects. Users with this role also have the ability to see objects that are cloaked so they can modify the permissions.
- The new Configuration Administrator role provides authorization to configure Vault object and management settings. This includes Files, Visualization, managing behaviors (e.g., properties and lifecycle), Items and Change Order settings.
New Inventor Features and Enhancements
Detachable Vault Browser
The Vault 2018 Add-in for Inventor enables you to detach, float, and reattach the Vault browser to new screen positions to optimize menu layout. With separate Inventor and Vault browsers, you can view both component trees simultaneously within the same Inventor design session.
Search in Vault Browser
The Vault 2018 Add-in for Inventor provides a new Vault browser search, including multiple keyword search, to help users identify and select components within the Vault component tree. After adding new properties to the browser display, you may also search for components by property and locate items more easily within the component structure of large assemblies.
For more information, see The Vault Browser in Autodesk Inventor.
Go to Vault Folder
Vault introduces a new Go to Vault Folder command inside the Inventor Vault Add-in. After selecting a target component, you can select Go to Vault Folder. This opens a fresh Vault Explorer session showing the version and revision of the selected component inside its stored project location.
The Go to Vault Folder feature is only available in the Inventor Vault Add-in.
For more information, see Go to Vault Folder.
New Open File Options
The Vault 2018 Add-in for Inventor enables you to open files in Full mode or Express mode. Load Full loads all component data and all commands are available. Load Express provides significantly faster (3-5x) file open times for large assemblies, but some commands are not available.
See Working with Level of Detail and Vault Files for more information. Also see File Open Options in Open a File from Vault with the Inventor Vault Add-in.
New Application Version File Property
A new Application Version property for Inventor files shows the last time the file was saved and the version of Inventor it was saved in.
The application version property is currently only for Inventor Files.
See Add or Remove User-Defined Properties for more information. Also see the Customize Columns section in Custom Grid Options.
Numbering Scheme Descriptions Now Display When You Save a New File
When you define a numbering scheme you can create a description for a pre-defined list. These descriptions for numbering schemes now display when you create a new file in Inventor or AutoCAD and save it.
Vault Client Updates
Insert into CAD
Vault 2018 introduces an Insert into CAD command within Vault Explorer. After you select an Inventor part or assembly, this function automatically locates and downloads the Vault source file and places it into the active Inventor design session. Requiring only a few clicks, this new feature greatly simplifies the creation of large assemblies and complex design contexts.
Custom Job Types
Vault administrators may now assign custom jobs to lifecycle transitions directly within the Vault Settings dialog. When defining new or existing lifecycles, Vault administrators may edit the lifecycle state transition and use the new Custom Job Types tab to specify a custom job.
The work to write and test the custom job routine remains, just as in previous versions of Vault, but the administrative steps required to include the action as part of a lifecycle are now much easier.
To learn more about how to create a custom job, see Create a Custom Job.
