Datasheet

Waguespack c01.tex V2 - 08/30/2008 1:44pm Page 21
BEST PRACTICES IN AUTODESK INVENTOR 21
Creating a Data Management Structure
In the previous pages, we discussed the need for an efficient and practical data management
structure that will fit the needs within your company. A good data management structure may be
something that your company has already created or something that you may design, keeping in
mind your company and customer’s requirements.
Even if your company has been working in other CAD packages for many years, your filing
system may be in serious need of reorganization or replacement. Many times, the file structure
you find yourself working under today has simply evolved over time as changes in hardware
and operating systems have come about. These evolutions range from very inefficient systems
with vestiges of some long-gone setup or decision that negatively impacts the way things are
done today to very efficient systems where filing is intuitive and well structured. When you’re
implementing Inventor, it’s a good time to evaluate your system and see what changes are or are
not required because of the way that Inventor uses linked files within the application. It is also
important to note that parametric modelers such as Inventor create more files than traditional
design software.
Redesigning a file management system for efficiency may require the skills of an outside
data management consultant who also thoroughly understands the data management structure
required for efficient use of Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD. One source of a qualified individ-
ual who can tackle this task might be your local Autodesk reseller, if your reseller has an Autodesk
Manufacturing Implementation Certified Expert or Certified Data Management Expert on staff.
If such a consultant is not locally available, then you may want to contact Autodesk Technical
Services for assistance.
We cannot overstate the need to thoroughly evaluate and correct any deficiencies in your
current data management structure. Having a data management system that is set up to ensure the
useofuniquenamesforeveryfileshouldbeaprimary goal of every Inventor user. This requires
some forethought and planning in setting up a good file-naming scheme. Fixing any problems
now will deliver a great payback in the use of Autodesk Inventor or AutoCAD.
Selecting the Proper Project File Type for Your Designs
Selecting the proper project file type after correcting any errors or inefficiencies in your data man-
agement structure is crucial to your success with Autodesk Inventor and, in the future, with
various AutoCAD vertical applications. The next chapter of this book will introduce you to the
different project file types that may or may not be suitable to your specific needs.
If you need to have multiple designers working on a single project simultaneously, it is highly
recommended that you investigate Autodesk Vault. Autodesk Vault provides many benefits over
other project file types when working in a collaborative system group or even when working
alone. Vault is bundled with the Inventor suite and can be installed at the time of your Inventor
install or at a later date. Although Vault is a highly effective tool for managing your engineering
files, a poorly implemented Vault can cause a lot of headaches. Following the recommendations
in this book for setting up a Vault project should keep you in the clear.
On the other hand, you may already have another product data management (PDM) database
in use within your company for other applications. You may want to consider integrating Inventor
into that PDM system, assuming that your existing system fully accommodates and supports
Inventor at least as well as Autodesk Vault. Optionally, you might want to consider Autodesk
Productstream, an upgrade of Autodesk Vault, for its additional control and management
functions.
If you are working in a smaller company or have just a few users each working on
individual jobs with no crossover, the Single User Project file mode might be the best way for
you to work.