by Kim Hyde
When you select something on your PC do you click on the item once, or do you double-click? … sometimes it’s the difference from the function working or not working!
I have come across problems with users of Vault checking-out files when really all they wanted to do is look at it (this is particularly true for new users to the application). Sometimes checking-out large assemblies AND saying `yes’ to checking-out all dependencies can cause real problems when sharing designs.
Keeping an eye on some fundamentals here, it’s worth understanding the difference between the functions of `Open’ and `View in Window...’
Right-click on any file in Vault displays the context menu with `Open’ listed in bold text , `View in Window ..’ in standard text:
Firstly (as default) if you double-click a file or right-click and select `Open’ is does the same thing … well actually two things! It copies a file to your workspace AND prompts a yes or no for a check-out:
Performing a check-out on any file will effectively place a `reserve’ on the file to the user preventing any other users from working on the Vaulted file.
Alternatively, if the user selects `View in Window …’ to quote `Ronseal’ … “it does exactly what it says on the tin”!; Vault will run a related application and DOES NOT copy a file to the workspace.
A clear advantage for just viewing files for checking etc. without cluttering-up your PC. Another advantage when viewing Autodesk CAD data, because Design Review is used as the viewing engine, the different vaulted versions stored in the Vault are selectable:
Changing the Default
To change the default for double-click from Open to View in Window, select the Vault Options via the Tools menu, when applied this also changes the right-click menu making View in Window bold:
To clarify what mean as a `related application’, the following list applies for common file formats:
.doc, .docx Microsoft Word
.pdf Adobe Reader
All Inventor files Autodesk Design Review
All AutoCAD dwg’s Autodesk Design Review