Learn what a CAD Manager should do first.
Before you begin: Set up a shared read-only network location to support templates, and shared design data. This location typically includes your project files, styles library .xml files, the application options .xml file, and Content Center.
Note: Before installing Content Center libraries, determine whether a local install (Desktop Content) or network install (Vault Server) is best suited for your work environment.
Attention: If you upgrade from a previous release of Autodesk Inventor, identify your migration strategy before installing a new release of Autodesk Inventor. If you use Autodesk Vault, Content Center and/or the Styles library, your migration strategy includes multiple parts.
Top 5 best practice guidelines:
- Create a good scalable data management structure that supports a single project structure, multiple libraries, and different jobs.
- Create a single project to support the previously described data structure.
- Create a shared location to support templates, design data, and content center.
- Specify the location of the shared Library folder in your project file.
- Use Autodesk Vault Basic to manage all data pertinent to your design, including design files, Microsoft Office documents, images, and other auxiliary data that is worthy of including in the vault. This practice provides a single source for all engineering data.
Consider adopting the following rules:
Attention: While shared network locations in a non-vaulted environment can work for small project teams, to provide secure data management we recommend implementing Autodesk Vault Basic.
- Establish a process for new part creation. Make sure that appropriate data fields are specified and file names conform to a defined naming convention.
- Enforce drawing and tolerance standards.
- Enforce the practice of Constraining a sketch to Origin. Train users to constrain parts in assemblies to Origin Work Geometry or Work Geometry created from Origin work geometry.
Note: Origin Work Geometry (and work features created from them) are stable and are not dependent on part faces or features
Additional productivity tips:
- Identify and document modeling workflows that have similar design. Your designers can model similar shapes in a similar manner which creates a stable environment for consuming change.
- Keep a log of your decisions, especially if Autodesk Inventor is new to your company. As you implement the software, you make decisions about how to use certain features or address certain workflows. When another user has the same issue, you can refer back to your notes and stay consistent. This practice also serves as the basis for a Best Practices manual.
- Require regular training to ensure that designers are using similar methods.