Tracking Updates To Model

[mhrobertsPEXSQ]

Hi

Can someone recommend a way to track updates to a model in Autocad and/or Inventor?

What i will like to do is have a record of what was done each time someone works on a specific model in my company.

Any Ideas?

Thanks

[Gabriel_Watson]

The best way is through Autodesk Vault (PDM):

[swalton]

I'm reading the the request as the ability to see which user made a specific change to a file, not just check-in/check-out.

I'm not aware of an Autodesk-supplied solution.

There are some 3rd party revision tracking tools that might be helpful.

https://www.capvidia.com/products/comparevidia

https://www.iti-global.com/cadiq

These tools claim to show the differences between 12345.ipt at Revision A and 12345.ipt at Revision B.  I suspect that they will need before-and-after files for 12345.ipt.  Vault could provide them, or maybe .stp exports.

Perhaps the OP could write an iLogic script that captures the individual commands a user issues on a model, then stores that log in Vault.  Is it possible to store the Undo command list?

Another tool could be written to parse the log to see who made changes.

Creo's trail.txt files are similar, but I don't think Inventor makes anything similar.

[mhrobertsPEXSQ]

I have Inventor 2021. How will I use it to track?

[SharkDesign]

We were sold Vault on the premise that it did this.

It only does this if the user can be bothered to type into the box what they have done when they check it in...

[swalton]

To the best of my knowledge, Autodesk does not provide a tool to track the individual changes an individual user makes to an Inventor file.

You will have to develop your own or find a 3rd party tool.

You might take a look at Fusion 360 as an alternate to Inventor.  The Timeline bar might show you what you want.

[mcgyvr]

There are a lot of specific details you didn't include in your question...

Do you just need a generic overview of what changed or specific detailed log like feature 1 extrusion changed from .5 to .75", hole 3 diameter changed from .125 to .250,etc...

If basic...

Could be as simple as a typical "Engineering Change Order/Request (ECO/ECR)" paper form process you implement. 

You simply require you fill out a simple form stating what is changing and why.. Upon submission they go into the "Open" folder... When someone has completed the work they fill out their name/date on that form and move it to the "Completed" folder.. 

As stated Autodesk "Vault" (which the basic version is included with Autocad/Inventor) can give you "version control" software that requires users to check in/check out files and a space to comment about what changes they did and also keeps a copy of each time that file is changed and you can revert/compare some as needed. 

Plenty of other ways.. Lots more details would be needed/questions asked..