Workspace Synchronization in action

Ok, let’s go through a multi-user workflow and discuss how you can use WS Sync in a design group. Please note that although I am using Inventor to show this, the same goes for AutoCAD with Xrefs too. Our scenario involve a simple three piece assembly, and I’ve just auto-renamed the components.

Meanwhile, back in Vault…

Switch to another machine with Vault client and the file status will appear as no local copies. If you have the assembly open, you’ll even see the icon indicating that the file is out-of-date (hint, always use the tool tip for this).

Running Workspace Sync…

So, Workspace Synch to the rescue. Either from the Tools pull down or the Vault standard toolbar, start the command. Depending on your configuration or if you’re running it for the first time, you’ll watch it examine your workspace and compare it with Vault, then return a dialog box of proposed actions. In my example. I have disallowed (unchecked) the ability to remove unmanaged files, so it can focus on Vaulted (managed) data. (This prevent accidental deletion of files that i have not Vaulted yet or belong to another Vault database).

Back to the Sync. Note the image below. I am informed that based on the rename, it will be downloading and overwriting the Inventor assembly, and downloading three new files.

Out with the old…

So, what happens to the old files? Depending on when you set the expire date under settings, these will be removed and sent to the Recycle Bin upon the next sync. And that next sync could be using the Quick Sync command. Click the carrot to the right of the Workspace Sync button and select Quick Sync to use the last configuration settings ran with WS Sync. Remember, this can be run via command line and reference a common config file for all users as a good startup in the morning.

-Brian Schanen