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CAD Manager Best Practices

Before you begin: Set up a shared read-only network location to support templates, and shared
design data. This location typically includes your project files, styles library .xml files, the application
options .xml file, and Content Center.

Review the Network and Licensing guides (including the Installation addendum): To access these
guides, click the Documentation link on the installation media located on the bottom left-hand corner
on each page of the Install Wizard.

Top 5 best practice guidelines:

• Create a good scalable data management structure that supports a single project structure, multiple
libraries, and different jobs.
• Create a single project to support the previously described data structure.
• Create a shared location to support templates, design data, and content center.

• Specify the location of the shared Library folder in your project file.
• Use Autodesk Vault to manage all data pertinent to your design, including design files, Microsoft
Office documents, images, and other auxiliary data that is worthy of including in the vault. This
practice provides a single source for all engineering data.
Consider adopting the following rules:

Important: While shared network locations in a non-vaulted environment can work for small project
teams, to provide secure data management we recommend implementing Autodesk Vault.

• Establish a process for new part creation. Make sure that appropriate data fields are specified and file
names conform to a defined naming convention.
• Enforce drawing and tolerance standards.
• Enforce the practice of Constraining a sketch to Origin. Train users to constrain parts in assemblies to
Origin Work Geometry or Work Geometry created from Origin work geometry.
Note: Origin Work Geometry (and work features created from them) are stable and are not
dependent on part faces or features

Additional productivity tips:

• Identify and document modeling workflows that have similar design. Your designers can model similar
shapes in a similar manner which creates a stable environment for consuming change.
• Keep a log of your decisions, especially if Autodesk Inventor is new to your company. As you
implement the software, you make decisions about how to use certain features or address certain
workflows. When another user has the same issue, you can refer back to your notes and stay
consistent. This practice also serves as the basis for a Best Practices manual.
• Require regular training to ensure that designers are using similar methods.

CAD Manager Best Practices 1