AUTODESK CIVIL 3D CAD MANAGER’S GUIDE
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Microsoft
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Excel
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spreadsheets. Autodesk Vault manages any data associated with a
design project, no matter what its type. As with Civil 3D and AutoCAD drawings, the
version history of these supporting files can be fully tracked. Plug-ins are available for
AutoCAD and Autodesk Land Desktop that allow drawings from these applications to be
checked in, checked out, and opened in read-only mode in a Vault. Vault can manage all
of the following document types:
• Drawing files (Civil 3D or others)
• Image files (JPG, BMP, or others)
• Microsoft Office files (DOC, XLS, or others)
• Civil 3D project data
• Microsoft Database files (MDB)
The Vault database can be installed in two ways:
• Microsoft SQL Server™ Desktop Engine (MSDE): This software is included on
the Civil 3D installation discs and requires no separate license. You can install
unlimited instances of Vault. Each Vault relational database can be up to 2 GB.
The size of the file store is limited only by the capacity of the server. This
installation typically works well for project teams of fewer than 20 members.
• Microsoft SQL Server: This software requires a separate license for the server
application, runs on a dedicated server, and is intended for large companies or
teams.
You may use the Vault Server directly for a variety of administrative and security tasks,
including creating, modifying, and deleting projects and project folders, restoring files to
prior versions, and managing backups and user access for individuals and groups.
Vault Clients: There are two distinct interfaces for the client component of Autodesk
Vault. The Vault add-in for Civil 3D is built into Civil 3D and is accessed via the Prospector
tab. Vault Explorer is a separate stand-alone application with a Windows Explorer-like
interface. Both are used to check data in and out of Vault.
• Autodesk Civil 3D Components: The Vault add-in for Civil 3D offers a fully
integrated way to manage your Civil 3D data, DWG™ files, and xrefs. When you
are working on files that are managed by Autodesk Vault, it is important to
understand that you are checking out a copy of a file that is stored in the Vault.
Vault users never directly edit the master copies. When you view a file, the
server sends a copy of the file to the client's workspace. Until they are checked
out, these files are read-only. Only one user at a time may check out a file.
Changes that have been made to checked-out files are sent back to the server
when the file is checked in.
• Autodesk Vault Explorer: Autodesk Vault Explorer is a stand-alone client
providing full access to Vault functionality. Vault Explorer enables you to add all
supported types of data, such as image files, Microsoft
®
Office documents, and
more. Using Vault Explorer, you are not limited to working with only Autodesk
Civil 3D files and objects.
Installing Vault
The client component (Vault Explorer) is installed automatically when you install Civil 3D
and so is the Vault add-in for Civil 3D. The Vault server components, both MSDE and MS
