pack and go crashes when I search for referencing files

[feet_first]

I want to do a pack and go that includes drawings to create a new Vault Project.  Everything works normally when I do the Search now button and I can use the Autoloader without any errors to create a new project with parts and assemblies only.  When I expand the dialog box to include "Search For Referencing files" pack and go crashes.

I have tried this with the top level drawing and assembly from several machines and also from Windows Explorer and get the same crash.  Models files only and linked files gave me the same results.

I looked through the pack and go forums and did not find anything about this in there.  

I could create a new project with the models and check in the drawings afterwards but would the links work?  i.e Would the drawings be referencing the models in the vault?

 Inventor 2011 and Inventor Vault

[mercerc]

I take it that this pack and go is not within Vault. If this is the case try creating a new temporary project file. Please make sure that the project file encompasses all the directory’s where the files may be stored. Also make sure that the folders where the files are stored are accessible (thru Windows Explorer).

            If that doesn’t work use the newly created project file and using the Task Scheduler tool create task for file migration. Then migrate all the files. It doesn’t hurt the files if they have already been done. But I would like you to include the options Total Rebuild and Compact Model History alone with the defaults.

            After the migration is finished you will see a log file. Please make note of it’s location we may ask for it.

            After the migration is done try using the same project file and do a Pack & Go on the idw/dwg drawing file.

[feet_first]

Thanks for your prompt response.  I wanted to do a pack and go to the top level assembly as a cleanup measure because the project contains  a whole bunch of unused files and some subfolders that I don't want to migrate plus I want a flat folder structure.  Is the only option moving all the correct files into a new folder?  If I do that will the references be unresolved?  Or does Inventor search the current folder for references by default?

[mercerc]

           You can move the files into a flat folder structure manually. The components you would want to leave alone are any files that are in folders that are labeled as library folders in your project file. Those should be the only file that would require you to resolve their location.  The only other files that may need to be addressed are if you are using iParts and the location of the children which are in a folder under the parent. If all the files and folders are under the location of the project file they should resolve.

            Other than the flat folder structure you would like is if when you add the files to vault if you select delete local copies than anything else would be should be unreferenced components. You could then move them to outside your project file for the time being and then get the files from vault and make sure they were all added. If that works out you can then depose of the files you didn’t use.

            Is the pack & go still not working?

[feet_first]

The pack and go is still not working but I do have a case number  (06920581)  to fix that.  I am not sure if I can run the batch file Autodesk sent me to fix pack and go because my install location is not on the C:\\ drive due to space limitations.  I will try to run it and let support know how it goes.  

[feet_first · Accepted solution]

After running batch files and reinstalling Inventor the problem still persisted until I did the pack and go on local drives instead of the network.  Windows can't handle filnames that are over 256 characters (try burning a DVD with too long file path and you get a warning).  Autodesk should add this warning dialog to the pack and go instead of it crashing and you not having a clue why.