About Inventor Link File and Autodesk Vault

When an Inventor Link File is checked into the vault, the associated IPT file or IAM file is linked to the Inventor Link File (DWG) in AutoCAD Mechanical.

In Autodesk Vault , the Uses and Where Used tab display the parent/child relationship between the Autodesk Inventor IPT or IAM file and the Inventor Link file.

The following is a list of best practices to follow when working with Inventor Link files:

• The Autodesk Inventor files must be checked into the vault before creating an Inventor Link file.

• When working with a vault, you must have a copy of the Autodesk Inventor part or assembly file located in your working folder to create a link between an Inventor Link File and the part or assembly file. Copy the Autodesk Inventor part or assembly file to your working folder by performing a Refresh From Vault in Autodesk Explorer.

• In AutoCAD Mechanical , select the application menu .

• Next, select the New Inventor Link file. Select the part file from your working folder.

  Save the Inventor Link file to the same working folder the part files reside in.

• In AutoCAD Mechanical, save the Inventor Link file and then check it into the vault after saving the file.

Checking the Inventor Link file into the vault allows the vault to manage the relationship between the Autodesk Inventor file and the Inventor Link file.

For detailed help on how to create and update an Inventor Link file, see the AutoCAD Mechanical Help.