Using the Vault to Manage Assets

If you are using Vault as your asset management system, you will need to log in into the Vault the first time you access it, otherwise you will not be able to check files in and out.

To start and log in into the Vault from 3ds Max:

1. In 3ds Max, choose File menu Reference Asset Tracking.
2. On the Asset Tracking dialog, ensure that Asset Tracking is not disabled under Options Disable Asset Tracking.
3. On the Asset Tracking dialog choose Server Log in.
4. On the Log In dialog box enter the following:

   Authentication	The type of authentication. Default=Vault Account
   User Name	The name for the vault account. Default= Administrator
   Password	The password associated with the vault account. Default=<left blank>
   Server	The name of the computer on which the vault server is installed. Use “localhost” if the server is installed on the same machine as the client. See your system administrator if this does not work.
   Vault	The name of a vault database located on the specified server. The default is “Vault”. Click the browse button to select from a list of available databases on the server. Default=Vault

   Note: Enable the Automatically log in next session checkbox if you want to be automatically logged in the next session.

   Click OK when you have entered values in all fields.

   Note: Your system administrator might provide you with your own account values which you will use instead of the defaults. If you are experiencing problems, speak with your system administrator.

To set up a local working folder when using the Vault:

When you are working with files in Autodesk Vault you need to have a working folder set up. The working folder houses your files while you are working on them (between checking files out of the vault and checking them back in to the Vault). The working folder can be a folder on your local machine or a folder on the network. Typically a system administrator will set up the working folder on the network.

Note: If your system administrator has enforced a network working folder, you should receive a message notifying you of this. You will not need to set your working folder, though you might need to map the drive location that has been set up for your working folder. For further information, speak with your system administrator.
1. In 3ds Max choose Server Log in and log in to the Vault.
2. Choose Server Options.
3. Browse to the folder that you want to use and click OK to confirm.

To coordinate local files with Vault files:

For optimal coordination between your files and those in the Vault, you need to maintain a one-to-one correspondence between the folder structure in the database and the structure in your working folder and its subdirectories.

Create a local folder structure for Vault files and then use Options to map the top of the local structure to the top of the Vault structure (that is, to Vault($)).

1. Create a working folder on a local drive to contain all files to be coordinated with other users via the Vault. For example, you could call the working folder My_Vault.
2. Open the Asset Tracking dialog and log in to the tracking database if necessary.
3. On the Asset Tracking dialog, choose Server menu Options.
4. On the Vault Options dialog, click the Change button and then use the Browse For Folder dialog to choose the folder you created in step 1.
   Tip: You can also use the Browse For Folder dialog to create this folder.

   Now, when you open a file from the Vault, the folder structure in which the file resides in the Vault is replicated in your local folder, if necessary. Likewise, when you add a file to the Vault, the local structure is replicated in the Vault, if necessary. For example, if you open a character mesh from Vault($)\max_files\characters\ and the file uses a bitmap stored inVault($)\max_files\characters\face_maps\, the character mesh is stored locally in My_Vault\max_files\characters\ and the map file is stored locally in My_Vault\max_files\characters\face_maps\.