Inventor Task Scheduler – Sequential Tasks

August 28, 2020 Hal Carruthers

Let’s face it, there are some repetitive tasks with Inventor and Vault that are tedious, time consuming and potentially error prone when they are performed frequently back to back. For example, you have just revised 15 component files and now need to update all of the associated assemblies/sub-assemblies as well as the detail drawings. Let’s not forget that in a Vault environment we need to check out the files and then check them back in after the updates. In this scenario, we could have at least 1 assembly and 16 detail drawings that need to be updated.

The basic workflow looks like this:

  • Find and open each file with Inventor
  • Check out the file from Vault
  • Update the file
  • Save the file
  • Check the file back in to Vault
  • Close the file
  • Repeat

It’s not difficult, it’s just tedious.

The Inventor Task Scheduler has a solution for you with the Sequential Task that we can use to check the file out of Vault, update in Inventor, and check the file back into Vault.

Preparation:

You will need two Inventor Project files:

Vault enabled – for Vault tasks

Single user – For Inventor Tasks

As this task will involve working with Vault, you will need to log into Vault.

01 Log in

Here is the workflow:

From the Create Task pull down, select “Sequential Task”.

02 Ceate Task

For this example, we are going to presume that you already have local copies of the files that are impacted by the revised files.

The first step of our Sequence is to check the files out of Vault. (Note: if you are using Vault Lifecycles, make sure your files are in an editable state such as “Work in Progress”.)

From the “Add” pull down, select “Check out from Vault”

03 Ceate Check out Task

04 Ceate Check out Task

  1. Verify that you are using a Vault Project file
  2. Determine the source for the files to be checked out (in this example we are using a folder and will check out all files)
  3. Navigate to the location of the folder or files and select accordingly.

When selecting a folder, you have the option to choose the Inventor file type to check out.

06 Ceate Check out Task

When checking out the files pay attention to the various settings on the Check-out dialog.

Get Latest will download the latest version to your workspace.

From the listed files you can select/deselect the files to be checked out.

06 Ceate Check out Task

Review the settings and adjust as needed.

06 Ceate Check out Task

Create the Update Design Task

From the “Add” pull down, select “Update Design"

09 Update design

09 Update design
 

  1. Verify that you are using a Single User Project file
  2. Determine the source for the files to be checked out (in this example we are using a folder and will check out all files)
  3. Navigate to the location of the folder or files and select accordingly.

Create the Check In Task

From the “Add” pull down, select "Check in to Vault"

10a Update design


10a Update design

  1. Verify that you are using a Vault Project file
  2. Determine the source for the files to be checked out (in this example we are using a folder and will check out all files)
  3. Navigate to the location of the folder or files and select accordingly.

Completed Sequence Task

10a Update design

Add additional tasks if needed. When  you are ready to run  the  task, set the desired schedule or select immediately  and let Inventor Task  Scheduler do the tedious work.

About the Author

Hal Carruthers

Manufacturing Applications Expert<br><br>Hal has been working closely with clients since 1997 to develop and deliver integrated solutions utilizing Autodesk products including AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD Mechanical, Inventor and Vault. His qualifications range from mechanical design engineering to pre-sales and post-sales consulting for the integration of mechanical software solutions. Hal has over 15 years of mechanical design experience in a variety of industry disciplines. He has worked as a Product Design Engineer to design, develop, fabricate and test new surgical instruments for use in Endoscopic and Open Surgery, specific applications for product use include: vessel ligation, wound closure, endoscopic instrumentation and specialty surgical devices. Hal has been awarded two U.S. Patents for medical devices he developed. Additionally during his tenure, Hal developed and maintained Engineering Documentation and CAD Standards and provided CAD product training and support for all users and new hires.

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