Upgrading Autodesk Vault

We are often asked about upgrading older versions of Autodesk Vault to the current release.  Autodesk has put together a document along with their WikiHelp page that answers many of these questions:

http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Vault/enu/Help/Help/0206-Autodesk206/0261-Upgradin261

As with most upgrades, the process is generally straight forward, but there are recommended steps that should be followed to ensure the safety of the vaulted data.

First and foremost, what is an upgrade? An upgrade means moving Vault data to a newer release (e.g., from Vault 2011 to Vault 2013), to a higher product edition (e.g., from Vault Workgroup to Vault Professional), or both.

When upgrading, upgrade to the highest release first and then upgrade the product edition. For example, if moving from Vault Workgroup 2010 to Vault Professional 2013, first upgrade the release to Vault Workgroup 2013 and then upgrade the edition to Vault Professional 2013.

Typically, the upgrade process for Autodesk Vault can be covered in five steps:

Validate Backup, Upgrade SQL, Upgrade Vault Server, Upgrade Vault Clients, Create Backup

The number of steps within each stage varies depending on the existing Vault implementation.

When upgrading one or two releases, the process involves one installation of Vault server.  If you are upgrading three or more releases, Vault requires an intermediate installation of Vault server.  This is described as a “3 or More” migration path.

Each release of Autodesk Vault server supports migration from the previous two releases. When upgrading over three or more releases, it is necessary to migrate the SQL database through intermediate releases of Vault. This is done by installing every other release of the Vault server up to the final release. For example: In order to migrate from 2009 to 2013, Vault 2011 must be installed as an intermediate step.

Release	Supports Migration From
2013	2012	2011
2012	2011	2010
2011	2010	2009
…	…-1	…-2

With proper planning, your upgrade can go smoothly and with minimal interruption to your workflow.  Contact ADRAFT at 585-389-1900 if you would like assistance or consulting with your Vault or other CAD needs. 

AutoCAD Electrical

Getting the Most Out of Your Legacy Data

This will be the first installment of a series of posts I intend to publish to our blog concerning legacy data. Whether you are a first time AutoCAD Electrical user or seasoned professional, we tend to forget the many conversion tools afforded to us inside the software. We have the ability to convert standard AutoCAD drawings into intelligent drawings inside of an Electrical project. We can convert lines to wires, standard text to text associated to a wire. We can convert standard blocks with attributes to intelligent symbols inside of a project. We can convert dumb ladders to smart ladders. We can convert dumb arrows to intelligent symbols that are attached to wires and carry them from one drawing to another drawing. We can convert manufactured supplied dumb mechanical blocks into intelligent smart panel symbols. We can convert Promis-e projects to AutoCAD Electrical projects.

Some AutoCAD Electrical users prefer to start everything from scratch. Although this is a popular method and a good one, it’s not the only one. I constantly tell Adraft’s customers to never throw anything out that was previously used inside of standard AutoCAD. The reason being is you might be able to save time by converting an object instead of creating that object from scratch. Personally I find myself using both methods. Sometimes it can be easier to start from scratch, but other times I can save time by converting an object I previously created in standard AutoCAD. Visit the Conversion Tools tab inside your software and take a look at all the tools you have at your disposal.

The first category I would like to discuss is the conversion of AutoCAD line objects to real world wires inside of Electrical. On top of that I will show you how to convert standard single line or multiline text to an intelligent piece of text that is associated to the wire you just converted. An example of this would be a piece of text that represents a wire label. In AutoCAD the text is not associated to the line that represents a wire. In Electrical the text is married to the real world wire itself.

Let’s start with Converting Lines to Wires.

You can change a line to a wire by using the Change/Convert Wire Type tool. The tool can actually be found on both the Schematic Tab and the Conversion Tools tab. Since we tend to spend most of our time on the Schematic tab I will use this in my steps to follow but either one will do.

1.     Click Schematic Tab

a.     Edit Wires/Wire Numbers Panel

                  b.     Create/Edit Wire Type drop down menu. 

                         

                  c.     Change /Convert Wire Type. 

                           

2.     In the Change/Convert Wire Type dialog box, select a wire type record in the wire type list.

3.     Make any selections in the dialog box.

·       If Convert Lines to wires is selected, the selected lines are changed to the new wire type.

4.     Click OK

5.     Select the lines in the drawing to convert.

You have now converted standard line objects previously created in AutoCAD to real world intelligent wires inside of AutoCAD Electrical.

Now let’s convert a standard piece of text created in AutoCAD to an intelligent wire number/label for use with AutoCAD Electrical.

Convert Text to a Wire Number

Follow these steps.

1.     Click Conversion Tools Tab

a.     Tools Panel

                  b.     Convert Text To Wire Number

                         

2.     Select the wire near the text to convert

3.     Select the text to convert.

These are just two of the conversion tools you have at your disposal. Like I stated earlier, when you have a few extra minutes please visit your conversions tools tab inside of AutoCAD Electrical. You might find some benefits to using these tools as opposed to starting from scratch each and every time you have to create new objects.

Always remember. DON’T dispose of any legacy data you currently own.

Simulation TV on Adraft Website

Araft adds Autodesk Simulation TV to website

Autodesk has made a very large investment into their Simulation product line, from Simulation Mechanical to Sim 360.  Along with the product development and investment, they have put an enormous amount effort towards the creating and building on the resources for the Simulation software.  The Autodesk Sim Squad has developed a visual resource called Autodesk Simulation TV.  Adraft would like to announce that Sim TV is now an embedded part of our website.  Check it out, I think you will be very pleased.

http://www.adraft.com/simulation.html

Also make sure to check out the Autodesk Sim Squad if you haven't already!!!

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=16661243&siteID=123112

"Autodesk 360", Crystal Clear?

Could you define 'Autodesk 360'?  Does the fact that a name is actually alphanumeric bother you?  I think it is a little different.  I had some trouble with this, so I thought an article might help clarify it.  The whole theory behind this is interesting, though!  Autodesk has recognized that many applications are going to the “Cloud” and they have started that journey with Autodesk 360.  What is it?  Autodesk 360 is a collection of online functions that you can access through an account with Autodesk.  The official definition is:

Autodesk® 360 is a cloud computing platform that provides a broad set of features, cloud services and products that can help you improve the way you design, visualize, simulate, and share your work with others anytime, anywhere.

Some of the functionality is completely free.  You do not even need to own/run any of their software.  Some of the functionality is tied directly to the software that you purchase and is made available to you via subscription. If you have not already noticed, Autodesk is using the “360” to describe their applications that run in the cloud.  For example, Autodesk has a cloud-based PLM system called Autodesk PLM 360.  With that said, this article is about Autodesk 360, the online account that you can log into for cloud functionality.

This all sounds wonderful, right?  What is the catch?  Honestly, there is not really any catch.  I do believe that there is a downside to this.  This may make me sound old, but there are too many options that go in too many directions (and I think this will only grow).  You will need to figure out what tools are useful for you and the way that you work.  On the positive side, Autodesk has provided many different options.  If you are mobile and you are working with others, these tools will be useful to you.  If you do not share data with others, then this may not provide that much value.  Do you take a tablet or use your smartphone to capture data onsite?  If so, I bet this will be useful.  Do you sit at one computer and store data on your own server for others to access?  If so, I believe this will not be useful to you.

If you are interested in further information, here is a link for you to learn more and potentially sign up to use it:

Autodesk 360 Landing Page

Apps in Inventor?

What's an app?

     You may be a bit behind the times if you are asking yourself what an app is at this point. But just in case there are a few out there who have not moved to a smart phone/tablet PC, an app is a small program written to extend the functionality of another program, for example, Inventor.  Apps are the easiest way for a user to customize what they want Inventor to do for them.  The idea of using apps for a CAD program may seem odd, but think about all those times you wished Inventor did something slightly different, or displayed something it doesn't.  Now those options could be just a download away.

How does it work?

     You can access Autodesk Exchange from the welcome screen or next to the "sign in" for subscription center. Autodesk Exchange is a website where users can browse, search, rate, and even review apps.  The website is easy to navigate with categories making it easy to find the apps that are related to your industry.  The apps are also easy to install, after downloading, all you have to do is run it.

     Have experience writing 3rd party software?  Sign up, and start posting your own creations for others to use!

Whats the catch?

     There really isn't one.  Most of the apps are in the $0.99 to $5.00 range.  Some even have an option for a trial, so you can try them before you actually buy.  That doesn't mean all of them have a cost involved, quite a few are free.  I've tried out quite a few of the free ones, and to be honest, there are some worth paying for.


     For more information on Autodesk Exchange and the apps available there: Autodesk Exchange

Bring your machine layouts to life.

Overview

Traditionally machine line layouts in a factory are created with pen and paper or in the form of 2D drawings. Using these means, it is extremely difficult to explain the working intent of the machine lines to clients or internal stakeholders. Using 2D workflows, it is very challenging to account for movement of material, people, and material handling devices and show them interacting with each other inside the facility. The inability to clearly articulate the working intent often results in losing bids to competition and the inability to sell ideas to stakeholders.
Project Factory.Modz() is a free^* Physics Based technology preview for Factory Animation that enables you to bring your machine line layouts to life and clearly articulate the working intent of the layout to your clients and stakeholders. It helps you to visually communicate your ideas by animating the movement of material and people inside your facility. It is easy to use, does not require CAD expertise, and you can be up and running creating your first animation in less than 5 minutes.

Game Technology meets CAD

• Physics Based Animation Environment
  Project Factory.Modz() is powered by an underlying physics engine. This enables you to animate the machine lines with the highest degree of realism and see the effect of force and collisions in animating material movement inside your facility.
  
• Artificial Intelligence
  Project Factory.Modz() is powered by Autodesk^® Kynapse^® which is an artificial intelligence middleware that empowers game developers to build compelling character behaviors in video games. It offers high performance path finding within dynamic environments and automated tools for generating AI data. With Autodesk Kynapse technology inside Project Factory.Modz(), you can perform automated path finding operations for human workers and material handling devices such as forklifts inside your facility.
  
• 1-Click Workflow
  Project Factory.Modz() is tightly integrated with Autodesk Factory Design Suite with a 1-Click Workflow. This enables you to use Autodesk Factory Design Suite to create layouts by dragging and dropping assets on the factory floor and with a single click transfer them to the Project Factory.Modz() environment for animation workflows. All the necessary geometry, constraints, and animation Meta data is automatically transferred which gets you started quickly.
  

Availability

This technology preview is available until July 31, 2012.

To download and see more videos visit Autodesk Labs

Autodesk Vault Office 2013 Web Client

Autodesk Vault Office 2013 now offers additional functionality for the Autodesk Web Client.  In previous releases of Autodesk Vault, the web client provided Search, Print, and Viewing capabilities.  The new and enhanced capabilities of Vault Office 2013 include the ability to Check Out and Check In files for editing purposes.


The first thing you will notice is when you login to the web client.  There is now a check box to login in a "Read-Only" mode.

Logging in with the "Read Only Access" toggle on will allow the user to access Vault Web Client with the same functionality that was available in previous releases.


Toggling this option off will enable the enhancements provided in the 2013 Web Client.  In order to install Vault Office 2013, you must first have Vault Workgroup, Collaboration, or Professional installed.


Once the user has found the file they are looking for, they will see a new option to check out the file.

After they are done they can check it back in

This functionality is supported in a variety of different browsers:

• Apple Safari 4 or 5
• Google Chrome 13
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 or 9
• Mozilla Firefox 6

And supports the following Microsoft Office products:

• Microsoft Excel 2003, 2007, or 2010
• Microsoft Outlook 2007 or 2010
• Microsoft PowerPoint 2003, 2007, or 2010
• Microsoft Word 2003, 2007, or 2010

For more information on this and all the Autodesk Vault products contact your ADRAFT representative at (866) 769-6163.