When you already setup the Autodesk Data Management Server 5, the AutoCAD Vault add-in works within AutoCAD, AutoCAD Mechanical, Mechanical Desktop, AutoCAD Electrical, and Autodesk Civil 3D.

In this thread, I will demonstrate how to use the Autodesk Civil 3D Vault add-in to add files to a vault, and check files in and out. The files can be DWG or images.

OK, we need to login to ADMS server. The system design has mentioned as Autodesk Data Management Server 5 - Installation thread.

Login to Vault
Step 1 - Select the Master View from the pull-down menu of the toolspace --> Right click "Projects" --> Select "Log In..."

Step 2 - Input "User Name" e.g. Administration, Password, Server (ID/ Name of Server) and select database

Step 3 -After successful login, the existing project will show under the "Projects" directory (e.g. Corridor).

Step 4 - Right click the "Projects" --> From the menu, you can create "New..." project, get projects "Properties...", "Set Working Folder...", open "Vault Explorer...", "Migrate Pre-Civil 3D 2007 Project...", "Log Out" and "Refresh".
Note: After successful login, you can check the Projects properties at anytime and create the "New" project, if you have proper access right (e.g. Administrator right).

Step 5 - Select Properties --> choose the "Working folder:" directory

Add file to Vault db
To add the file to the vault database by "Add to Project..." command. Whenever you just create the Civil 3D file or open the Civil 3D file, you can right-click the file and select "Add to Project..." for adding the file to Vault DB.
Step 1 - Open/ Create the Civil 3D project file --> Right click and select "Add to Project..." from the pull-down menu

It will prompt the warning message.

Step 2 - Select the available projects for adding the drawing to Vault db

Step 3 - Select the file --> Select the Yes at the "Create DWF" column (Note: It will generate the DWF for previewing at the Autodesk Vault Explorer.) --> Add comments (optional)

Step 4 - Select the Civil 3D object for sharing the object into the Vault

Step 5 - After successful "add to project", the Project (e.g. Corridor) will appear the Civil 3D object (e.g. Surface 1) you just imported.


Check out source drawing
Close all file first
Step 1 - Right click the Civil 3D object (e.g. Surface 1) --> Select "Check out source drawing..."

Step 2 - Select on "Get latest version" --> Select on Project (e.g. Corridor), and the drawing (e.g. contours.dwg)

Step 3 - The icon appear to notify the file (e.g. Contours) already check-out.


Undo check out...
Step 1 - Right click the checked-out file (e.g. contours) --> Select "Undo check out..."

Step 2 - Undo Check Out dialog prompted --> Select on Project (e.g. Corridor), Drawing (e.g. contours.dwg)

Step 3 - The file (e.g. Contours.dwg) is already check-in to the Vault db.

Autodesk Vault Explorer
After the practice, try to open the Autodesk Vault Explorer to check the file details (e.g. Version, check-in date, Uses...), by the way, you can check the Vault database who is currently check-out the files! and check the file from different versions.

Later I will try to elaborate how the ADMS can help for our routine and organize the project.