Task Scheduler performs automated tasks and acts as a batch processor in Autodesk Inventor and other applications. It provides a set of pre-defined tasks, and you can create custom tasks.
Use the Autodesk Inventor Task Scheduler to organize and define one or more time-consuming tasks from different types of programs. Close the Task Scheduler window, and the tasks you scheduled run in the order and at the time that you specified. Regardless of the number of physical processors available, use the Multi Processes setting to run a batch process. Run multiple Inventor sessions on the same processor.
The Autodesk Inventor Task Scheduler contains predefined task managers for executing common tasks, and a custom task manager for defining your own tasks. A sequential task manager sets up multiple predefined and custom tasks using an executable or COM object.
When you create the first task in a session of Task Scheduler, a dialog box prompts you to enter your Microsoft Windows user account name and password. After you log in, you are the owner of any tasks you create.
Task manager process
Each type of task manager has a separate dialog box, and runs like a separate application. In the dialog box, you define the task and schedule a time to run it. You can resize and move the dialog boxes.
When you have multiple tasks to run, set them up in the Sequential Task manager. Define the order to run them, and specify a time to begin. The tasks you set up in the Sequential Task manager are called subtasks. A subtask can depend on the output of a prior subtask.
You can schedule a task to run immediately, or schedule it to run in the future. Tasks run at the scheduled time whether the Task Scheduler is open or closed. The Run option on the context menu overwrites the schedule and runs a task immediately.
After a task runs, it enters a disabled state. To reuse the task, change it back to the enabled state.
When the Task Scheduler application runs, it populates the system tray with the Task Scheduler icon.
You can run commands with a right-click on the icon in the task bar to display a menu:
|
View Task Queue |
Opens the Task Scheduler, and lists all tasks scheduled from today forward. |
|
View Log File |
Opens the log file for the current task. |
|
Today's Tasks |
Opens the Task Scheduler, and lists all categories of tasks that ran today. |
|
Open Task Scheduler |
Opens the Task Scheduler. |
|
Exit |
Turns off Task Scheduler and removes the icon from the system tray. When you restart the computer, the Task Scheduler starts and populates the system tray. |
Batch processing with Task Scheduler
You can use the Multi Processes feature to run a batch process, which is especially useful for migration. You can specify the number of processes, regardless of the physical number of processors. It entails running multiple Inventor sessions on the same processor, depending upon available memory.
A batch process is listed in the Task Scheduler dialog box as one task. While a batch process runs, a dialog box displays the percentage complete, which is the total task percentage status across all processes.
You can run tasks on one or more files, all files of supported types in a folder, or all files of supported types in a project. Selection options are supported as shown:
| Task Type | Add files | Add folder | Add project |
|---|---|---|---|
| Migrate Files | X | X | X |
| Update Design | X | X | X |
| Check In to Vault | X | ||
| Check Out from Vault | X | ||
| Get Latest from Vault | X | ||
| Refresh Standard Components | X | X | X |
| Shrinkwrap Assemblies | X | X | |
| Purge | X | X | X |
Tasks on files in projects and vaults
With Vault installed, and a vault project active, you can run tasks on files in the vault. A vault browser dialog box is provided for selecting files in vaults.
Ownership and access to tasks
The first time you create a task in the current session a dialog box is displayed requiring your Windows NT user name and password. This action makes you the owner of the task. Only you or an administrator can delete or edit that task. Others are restricted to only viewing the tasks you create.
If you have local administrator privileges, you can edit or delete all the tasks. If you try to edit or delete a task for which you do not have write permission, a message displays with the login name of the owner.
The first time you create a task that involves files in the vault, a prompt asks you to log in. Enter your user name, password, the server name, and the database. You can select the option to set automatic login for future sessions to avoid the need to log in again.
Log files in Task Scheduler
Each time you run a task, a log file generates that documents the progress of the task, and any errors that occur.
Parts of the log file information are common to any task type, and parts are unique to the particular task type.