one of the biggest mistakes Inventor users make 😩 How do you do? Inventor File Management

[@andrewroberts618]

Hi Neil, I have suffered through poor file management. This is on point, you have explained some of this in previous videos and it deserves a dedicated video. CHEERS

[@AlexFielder]

Good video Neil, I was training this exact content to a group of Norwegians earlier today! I will probably point them to this as a "recap" when starting our next session on Monday 🙂

[@Neil3D]

It's a challenge keeping it this short but hopefully enough here to help!

[@Shack0003]

Thanks Neil, great video as always, I decided early on against the single project set up, being the only cad guy at a fabrication firm I always have multiple projects open and constantly jump from project to project, closing everything down to open another project is tedious. I do the option you mentioned at the end of the video, one master project with all my cutomers and relvent folders within that brolly, only issue I find with this is occasionally saving parts/drawings in the wrong folder, as you say pros & cons to both.

[@JohnFekoloid]

This gave me so much headache with Inventor. One day I understand it, next day I forget it. I ran away to Creo Parametric where it's a totally different ball game, and more complicated when you need to access library type folders. The horror.

[@treyinok]

Great Tutorial! I've had to work through all the mistakes/problems of an incorrect project setup you mentioned. I'm sure this will help a lot of new users.

[@AlnisSmidchens]

Thanks for the explanation! I always wondered how to use project files properly. We ran into data management issues on my high school robotics team which, looking back, were in part due to misconfigured project files. Always interesting and helpful to hear about data management from an expert.

[@blacckarat9156]

I always have dramas with saving parts in the wrong files and jumbling up my assemblies, This has helped me a lot I’m only an amateur in inventor and as a metal fabricator that is keen to do lots of standard piping drawings and stuff, the content centre standard fittings I have in stock at my workplace and instead of looking each time I do a drawing and fluff around through all the files In the content center if I can just save the main/standard ones in a file to easily pick them out at anytime, this should come in handy. Thanks so much

[@Rob-hh5wh]

Thanks! I am just about to get my teeth into Inventor for a personal project (Campervan design), I love getting my workflow in place before digging into big softwares. Thanks for the tips.

[@ech619]

Great video! Can multiple users use one project file at the same time? At 20:56 this option was mentioned. Any downfalls in a setup like this?

[@hunteil]

Very Informative! I could have used this info to help me years ago. Somethings that went through my head as another example: A. If you have a file open from project 'Computer' and open a file from project 'Stapler'. Inventor will error that you cannot open a file from a different project directory. Only workaround is to open 2 Inventors or close your files and switch projects. Maybe there's other tricks I'm forgetting but it happens often. - Btw I learned something extra from this video. I've never used 'Workgroup Search Paths' so I never figured out what it did. Seems very useful for outside a single project directory workflow.

[@keithyakouboff8755]

I have some questions about animation, if I may? * Is it possible to combine, say, a parameter animation and a component animation in the same scene and play them back together? * Is there a way to create a path animation within Assembly mode without having to set things up first in a pre-assembly scene? * If I animate a bend, will something that is constrained to that bending object stick to that object? Or, will I have to animate that second object separately to give the illusion of sticking? Thank you!

[@danielcattell8391]

Hi, great video. Have you managed to sort your small icon issue out. I had the same issue and fixed it. Cheers

[@sheltonus]

Good stuff, thanks! We're moving to the basic Vault (one project for everyone and all "projects") on our server. This video, focused on the basic Vault, would be a big help.

[@Neil3D]

I've probably already got that covered in a previous Vault Basic guide I've done, but I'll see about making another one if I can

[@ggtt2547]

0:30 yeah you got me. I use inventor at work and i have not one single clue about project and file management!

[@dougryde3767]

You little rip snorter!! Come across from Autocad and loving Inventor as my new you beaut design tool..But ive been going nuts with file management, some of my designs are all over the shop. This tutorial is the ducks guts . So helpfull and spot on..Thanks you for the content and the great teaching technique...Cheers to you mate

[@stoffel1330]

Thank you Neil. This video helped me understand the projects file better. A question though: If a create a .IPJ file with some of the settings changed (Like the appearance and material from Inventor to AutoCAD), if I copy that .IPJ to another folder, would it keep those settings. Also another question. Instead of having to create a new project every time using inventors Wizard, can I just copy a .IPJ file from one folder to another? would the copied .IPJ reference back to the original file path, or would it update to its new folder path? Thanks again Neil.

[@LeighAB69]

Love it Neil, The frustration on your face says it all 🤣, bloody Autodesk 😁😁 Keep up the good work pal 👍

[@InterLary]

Awesome . I love the way you teach. Fun and extremely useful . Thank you and how can we contact you to for learning purposes

[@nathanaelwelch3551]

Came to learn about the last minute. Is there resource that buildings on the idea of project hierarchies?

[@anthonyz5671]

Great video as usual!! One quetion I have is this. If you have a file in several different folders within the project workspace, if you open a part or assy and make a change to it will it, will those changes appear in the other versions in the other locations. Mind you they are all in the project file path. Just multiple copies of it. We are not on vault. Small company only using windows explorer.

[@rajivr187]

Hi Neil.. Is there a way to creat drawing for an assembly with unresolved components in it without resolving it? Is there any settings that needs to be changed to make inventor to allo me to do this?

[@drwatson2653]

So is there any real functional difference between Workspace Search Paths and Libraries? Both are just folders that get searched when trying to resolve components, correct?

[@alanfrishman]

I enjoy all of your videos. Two particular questions in regard to this content. Both relating to Libraries. (1) why would you make a library inside your project path? Just to make it read only? also, can you save into a Library but then not be able to edit after safe? (I work native in my Library as a project when I add or edit content.) I'm assuming that the Workgroup Search Paths allows for edits to the files when working from the root project? lastly, get Autodesk to lock the Library files completely as to not only not allow edits to library files but also to deny deletion of said files (using windows commands.)

[@beakyturbot]

Thank you for your time in helping us all again. As I work for many Clients I would set up projects for each Client but, quite frankly, it became tedious as I would forget a setting in the project file and then couldn't find a custom material library or iLogic form , or the like. Or I would be doing a detail for one Client and another would phone up with a query and running several Clients files simultaneously made you head explode. I now work, as you suggested at the end, within one project. The only issue with that is ensuring you don't inadvertently duplicate a file name as Inventor seems to ignore file tree preferences and will happily use a file in a completely different sub directory with the same file name just to piss you off. I avoid this by prefacing all file names with a derivative of the date eg 221104 Fan rather than just fan. Just a different way of working but works for me.

[@Neil3D]

Yep when that starts happening, then Vault Basic has to start being brought up in conversations. Would love to understand some reasons why places choose to not go with vault

[@beno9966]

@@Neil3D It's usually because one staff member used it in the past and had a bad experience (due to no training or bad setup) and then turns the current employer off using it as well.

[@beno9966]

I made a comment further up, but if you use one ipj and there is a chance of there being multiple file names the same. Change the "Unique file name" option to NO and it shouldn't just replace parts like that.

[@maz1980s]

This is exactly what I was looking for. Good stuff.

[@LongestYardstick]

WOW -- your mic setup sounds incredible

[@Micahberger1]

Very helpful, I am transitioning from Fusion to Inventor and have needed a good explanation of file structure. Where to place and share your content if done wrong can get messy in a hurry. Great video 🎉

[@FTMJarra]

Top notch as always Neil, thanks for posting this.

[@arkelec4241]

Very timely video, Neil. Two questions though: (1) Paths for the items under Project\Folder Options, where these are also listed in the Inventor Applications\Options\File tab (usually direcing to the 'c:\users' folders), should these all be left as default? (2) If (1) above is correct, then changes to the Project\Folder Options paths overider those in Applications\Options\File? I aprreciate there are other locations in Applications\Options\File which may want to point to a network drive & not affected by the project settings. Also, oustanding work as usual.

[@sandornusser6890]

Love the humor! Thanks for the great overview!

[@Kamranmehranpoor]

Hi, how must work on same project by two user with two laptop?

[@Atit-820]

Professor, I always learn from your great content

[@francobiassoni1162]

To Find the length of a loop in Inventor 2023. In sketch mode right click and click on region properties , it will calculate the perimeter .

[@Killernova86]

Hi Neil, Great Video as always! The company I work for does the exact thing you mentioned with project files per customer etc... I was wondering if you have any experience with slow content center part placement? When we place a part from a CC the placing of the file tends to take up to 5 or 10 seconds, which is ridiculous... Is it possible the CC searches through all available searchpaths to check whether the components exists? (i mean within the content center libraries folder) Our workplace has been using inventor for around 10 years and that content center library has never been 'purged' because we don't want unrefereced files in older assemblies. If this rings a bell id be delighted! thanks

[@iliaberidze]

Thank you Neil, your videos are always interesting. How to deal with a situation when you are working simultaneously on number of projects? for instance you are working on a project and suddenly you got a call from client about a different project? what structure would be more appropriate for "multitask" workers?

[@JeronimoStilton14]

You can create an autosave feature to automatically export documents to PDF on save so when you close out of a file your pdfs are all up to date. This is how I reference my projects if I am called because waiting for a project to open in inventor is usually painfully slow.

[@JeffreySBarrero]

Great video Neil. Is there a document/life cycle process you prefer to use when updating a Vault Master project files? If my question is not clear enough I can provide more context, but Can't seem to find a BIM type of guidelines or best practices background for Vault content where I don't think there is a clear matrix to level of development.

[@Neil3D]

Yea some context would be useful, I'm not sure what you mean by a Vault Master project file? There is only 1 project file in a Vault (typically) and there's no benefit to having a lifecycle process set on that file.

[@JeffreySBarrero]

@@Neil3D Yea a single Vault project file, and we've been asked to use the same project file company wide. Which appears great, but it's taking time for me to adjust to the limitation.

[@MattScott-n1w]

LOL the Projects radio button....was thinking the exact thing today when I clicked it 3 times and wondered why the Projects dialog was not opening.

[@Jam555s]

Brilliant Video again, thanks for the recap

[@tomast9034]

heh that intro is spot on :D:D... but there is still the max 255? characters long addres limit for the files. vault still says no to too much branched out folder structure. run into it few times even in w10 lol. i tought it aint the thing anymore.

[@meissnerfritz]

When I started Inventor I saw project files, looked at what they did and used them in exactly the way you showed here because it seemed logical. Then later (in an AU session, actually) an instructor said that project files were now obsolete and one should just use the default project for everything, so I started doing that. But it bugged me because there was no explanation as to why one shouldn't use project files and I could see all the benefits of using them; but I listened to the "expert" and used the default. So whyu would they ever have said that ? I much prefer setting up individual files for each project, and it makes searches so much faster.

[@enb3810]

5:48 I wouldn't really mind that it keeps going to my darn Documents folder, except inventor forces me to use their super annoying folder browser instead of letting me use windows' built in one..

[@AndrewduToit]

I knew most of this but grate video picked up a few tips. What bugs me is when you place a bolt, washer or nut into your assembly and save it, next time you open it, it can't find the bolts and nuts. You have to when placing the bolt escape placing it in the hole so it brings up the change size dialog, then click the box for custom part. then select the size and insert the bolt like a part then you still have to place the bolt in the whole. Why can't inventor not just save bolts and nut to the project folder. You loose the intelligent placing of the bolt and nuts when you have to do it this way. And if you don't want error messages of bolts not found when you open an assembly.

[@jerryberns430]

Great info, Neil!

[@islandofrobgaming]

This has been so useful!!!!

[@CAD_GEEK]

I teach CAD at a community college. We are forced to use OneDrive for file storage. Project file nightmare! I have written procedures on setting up project files for both 'on -campus' and 'at-home' work that nobody FṶʗЌΙИ' reads. Then they are confused why that can't find anything.

[@Info-God]

Make a procedure based on bullet point, or numbered list. Step 1, Step 2. So you can refer to step # anytime.

[@charlesosare3667]

Nice video but i cannot see, the writings on the dialogue box are too small

[@daximus2303]

Great video sir, thank you.

[@greg_terra]

I am new to inventor and I asked the same question 3:43

[@me.dwesley]

Very helpfully!

[@CAD_GEEK]

1:52 I literally laughed out loud. "Autodesk, fix your Application Scaling!"

[@topy9100]

One of the most important commands in Inventor-" Projects" is hidden under 3 dots with the name "Settings" One hell of UI/UX from Autodesk. Imagine SW users how they start to work with it

[@Neil3D]

Yah it used to have its own button on the ribbon, not sure why it was relegated. You can also get at project files through a button in the file > open dialog box but it does appear to be more hidden than it used to be.

[@AlexFielder]

@@Neil3D Not to mention the old "gear" button that allowed you to swap standard Templates from freedom units (in) to SI (mm) - Why, oh why is it relegated to Application Options > Files tab...?

[@beno9966]

The buttons being tiny must be scaling with your ultrawide? Great video though. Project files lead to so many confusions. Often when people have a library mapped and change that, Inventor just won't even look for files in a library. "Using Unique File Names" option just changes the way Inventor searches for a file if it can't be found. Set to YES it will search all locations under the workspace and list all with that filename or just set the new location if there is only one. (Can be slow if it's a network and there are 5000 nut.ipt). NO will just prompt you to point to where it is.

[@Neil3D]

I was doing this on a 4K 16:9 laptop screen set at 250% scaling, the buttons stay in proportion on the huge Dell ultrawide

[@beno9966]

@@Neil3D So the 250% scaling is not actually scaling those buttons.

[@parthibangopal8270]

great tips

[@zahir585]

Hey how do you do! Are you tying to get me back to start using inventor again?😅

[@Neil3D]

No allegiances here! I'll be doing stuff like this for fusion 360 as well as some others apps!

[@ad_droni6537]

So you think I should create a new project files for each project, make sense, but creating a project imply managing the folders (like content center and others)... It is not so fast and easy. Much more easy is to set only one project file (like a company standard) and make sub folders with different project... This is how most companies does

[@martinfarrow2825]

Also autodesk why bother with the dark mode then all the pop ups are still white 🤷‍♂️

[@beno9966]

Add in some are the OLD ui style and some new. It's a work in progress..

[@Neil3D]

I think the first "pre-release" of the dark theme came in a couple of years ago, IMO there's zero excuse for a company the size of Autodesk to not have finished up something like that in this amount of time. It doesn't say pre-release on the setting any more either.

[@Wobblybob2004]

I recon the hardest part of working in a non vault enviroment is stoping your sackless oppos renaming part files in the windows file browser and breaking every assembly they're used in. I audit our projects every week. never had a clean one.

[@JeronimoStilton14]

These speeds are killing me. It takes me 5-10 minutes to get a project open and maybe 40 seconds to click and back forth on projects like you did after creating one for the personal pc.

[@JohnnyOsmose]

One of the biggest mistakes Inventor users make: being Inventor users.

[@MrJitendra007]

😂😂😂Very true..

[@harrelsontrumpets]

Do you know why we don't know how to do this? BECAUSE ITS SO POORLY DESIGNED!!!

[@scottmartin6834]

I envy your brain! Seriously!

[@jesscneal]

It's mind boggling to me that people don't use project files.

[@Neil3D]

A lot of self taught or people moving from F360 probs won't be aware they're even there. Inventor doesn't prompt you to make a project when you first start so I reckon people just hit the ground running and wing it!

[@jesscneal]

@@Neil3D Yeah that's a good point. Didn't think about it from that direction. I'm glad I was taught to use them early on :)

[@randomBullets]

So why are so many people using single project file to manage vault?

[@Neil3D]

Vault is just built to only use a single project file, if you introduce more than 1 project file to Vault it causes problems with some of Vaults functions, basically the entirety of the inside of Vault is 1 massive workspace so only 1 ipj is needed. Good question though. But once a file enters Vault, regardless of what "project" it's part of, Vault (or SQL) indexes the file and all its relationships with other files so you don't need do define workspace areas. With Vault Pro you can use advanced folder assignments/categories to define projects in a way as well.

[@JATIN9268]

Please also make shorter videos.

[@thealchemist5376]

Extremely helpful, thank you!

[@kerri-leighcaley6837]

Good stuff