The current Rename Wizard in Autodesk Vault is functional, but quite limited in everyday use. To significantly improve usability and efficiency, I would like to propose the following enhancements:
1. Non-blocking Search & Replace Window
Currently, the “Search & Replace” window blocks the Rename Wizard and the Vault main window.
Problem:
- No simultaneous access to Vault data during renaming
- Texts or file names cannot be easily copied and reused
- Re-running searches or comparing names is cumbersome
Suggestion:
- The Search & Replace window should be non-modal (non-blocking)
- Allow users to work in parallel by:
- Navigating within Vault
- Copying file names or text
- Flexibly building and adjusting search/replace patterns
This would significantly speed up workflows and make the process much more intuitive.
2. Extended Rename Functionality (similar to “Joe Rename”)
The current Rename Wizard only offers very basic functionality.
Problem:
- Complex renaming tasks require multiple passes
- No support for combining rules
- No dynamic elements (time, counters, etc.)
Suggestion: Introduce an advanced, rule-based renaming system with combinable functions, such as:
Combinable Operations
- Search & Replace (existing but should be expanded)
- Add prefix / suffix
- Remove or extract substrings
- Change case (upper/lowercase)
Dynamic Elements
- Insert date/time (e.g., YYYY-MM-DD)
- Automatic counters (incremental numbering)
- Custom placeholders
Multi-step Processing
- Multiple rules applied sequentially
- Full preview before execution
Preview & Validation
- Live preview of new file names
- Collision detection (duplicate names)
- Warnings for invalid characters
Benefits of These Improvements
- Significantly more efficient batch renaming
- Reduced risk of errors through better preview features
- Less need for external tools
- A more modern and flexible user experience
Conclusion:
By introducing a non-blocking UI and a more powerful, rule-based renaming system, Autodesk Vault could greatly improve usability and productivity—especially for power users and environments with large datasets.
