Content Center libraries stored on a server

In a workgroup environment, Content Center libraries are stored on an Autodesk Vault server. Libraries must be installed and set up on the server before you configure them in the project.

Use the server console to set up libraries on the server. You can create, attach, import, export, detach, and delete Content Center libraries, or change a library status. You must have administrator permissions to change the library configuration.

To run the server console, choose Start Programs Autodesk Autodesk Data Management Autodesk Data Management Server Console [version]

Tip: Use separate servers for Content Center libraries and Inventor files in the shared environment. Install the Vault server on two computers, and then use one as a Vault server for Inventor files, and the other as a server with Content Center libraries.

Administrator tasks in the server console

You can perform the following tasks in the server console:

• Create a library.
• Change the status of a user-created library to read-only or read/write.
• Attach a library which is saved in the default folder for Content Center libraries.
• Import a library from other than the default library folder. The imported library is copied into the server data location, and can be then attached.
  Note: Use Import to migrate user libraries created in previous versions of Autodesk Inventor (not older than R10 libraries), or to add external user libraries to the server configuration. The source library is not changed, therefore you can select the backup copy of your library as the import source.
• Detach a library to remove a library from the library server. The detached library is not deleted and can be attached later.
• Delete a library from the server memory storage.
• Import and export libraries.
  Note: An .mdf and an .ldf file comprise one library. They must be maintained as a pair for both Import and Export.
• Review configuration of the Content Center library server.

Tips:

• To modify the Content Center standard parts or features to meet your requirements, use the server console to create a custom read/write library. Then copy part or feature families to the custom library, and edit the families. All modifications are saved in the custom library. Additionally, create standard parts that you want to add in a Content Center library. Then publish them to the custom library.
• Set up the Side-by-Side environment to install Autodesk Inventor 2008, 2009, and 2010 on the same computer, and use Content Center in all three versions of Autodesk Inventor.

Configuration of Content Center libraries on the server

The installation provides the following libraries: ANSI, DIN, ISO, JIS, GB, other international standards. The Parker library contains parts used by Parker for tube and pipe fittings. The PEM Fasteners library includes mostly sheet metal fasteners.

Content Center libraries can be installed only on a computer with the Autodesk data management server. You can customize the Content installation and select libraries to be installed. You can later add a Content Center library which was not installed: Run the installation CD, and select the library to install.

If you do not use a library which was installed, detach the library by using the server console. The library is not deleted but is no longer available in Content Center. You can attach the library to the server later, if needed.

The default Content Center libraries are read-only, cannot be edited, and the read-only status cannot be changed.

Standard parts in Vault or other data management environment

Refreshing Content Center parts in assemblies

• If Content Center files are saved in Vault or other data management system, the Refresh Standard Components tool must check out all out-of-date Content Center part files to replace them.
• Refreshed Content Center files remain checked out when the refreshing process finishes. You must check the files in manually.
• If the refreshing process cannot change the read-only status to read/write automatically, standard parts are not refreshed and remain out-of date. This problem appears if read-only standard parts are not saved in Vault, or if Inventor does not recognize that standard parts are saved in Vault (a single-user Inventor project is active, or standard parts were added to Vault by different Vaulted project).

Storage location for Content Center files

• If you work in Vault (or in another data management system) environment, each member of the workgroup must use a local folder to store Content Center files. The local Content Center Files folder should be controlled by the data management system.
• Do not change the location of the Content Center Files folder while a project is active.

Migration from previous versions

The Autodesk Inventor installation wizard automatically detects previous Content Center or Vault databases. If Autodesk Inventor 2008 or 2009 read/write libraries are detected on the computer, the installer displays a dialog box. Select the import option to migrate the libraries for use. Additionally, all previous Vault databases are recognized for update.

Notes:

• Autodesk Inventor 2008 and 2009 libraries are retained. The migration imports and creates a library for Autodesk Inventor 2014.
• If you add additional customization to legacy libraries Content Center, the server console can be used to re-import the libraries under a new name.
• Autodesk Inventor 9 (and older) customized libraries can be imported through the project file (*.ipj) using the Import Library command.
• If the migration of the libraries is postponed during installation, use the server console (included when the server is installed) after the installation to perform migrations.

Side-by-Side environment

Side-by-Side environment enables you to store and access Content Center libraries from three latest versions of Autodesk Inventor on one Vault server. Libraries are saved in the corresponding partition on the server.

To set up the Side-by-Side environment, install the new version of the server and Inventor. Than continue with the following steps:

1. Copy user libraries to appropriate partitions on the server. Remember that each version of Autodesk Inventor can access only libraries included in the corresponding partition.
2. Install Client Update patch for older versions of Autodesk Inventor.
3. In Autodesk Inventor, edit or create projects. Configure Content Center libraries and set up the Content Center Files folders in particular projects.
   Note: You must use separate Content Center Files folders for each version of Inventor. Sharing the Content Center Files folder by different versions of Inventor would cause unpredictable replacing of standard parts in assemblies.