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Import from Visio

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by

Autodesk Alumni
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Overview:
“Import from Visio” creates a lifecycle definition in Vault based on information within a Microsoft Visio file.


 

Requirements:
Vault Workgroup 2010 or Vault Collaboration 2010 or Vault Manufacturing 2010
Microsoft Office Visio 2007

Introduction:
On Brian Schanen’s blog, he suggested using Visio to map out your lifecycle definition.  Using Visio is a good idea, but once the diagram is complete, you need to set up the states and transitions by hand in Vault.  Not any more!  Import from Visio automates the process of creating lifecycle states.


Click here to download the application
Click here to download the source code



How to use:

  1. Create your Visio file.  Use Process boxes for lifecycle states and Dynamic Connectors for state transitions.  The dynamic connectors can have double arrows.
  2. Save your diagram and close Visio.
  3. Run ImportFromVisio.exe.
  4. Log in as an administrator.
  5. Select the .VSD file.  Visio will automatically launch then immediately close.  This is normal. 

  6. Fill in the rest of the data.
  7. Click the “Create Lifecycle Definition” button.  You should see an “Import Completed” message after a few seconds.
  8. Exit ImportFromVisio.exe
  9. Log into Vault as an administrator.
  10. Verify that your lifecycle definition exists with the proper states and transitions.
  11. Add in other data, such as security restrictions, transition criteria and associated categories.

Further information can be found in the readme.


Enjoy.

Comments

10 responses to “Import from Visio”

  1. Misterd83 Avatar
    Misterd83

    Great idea, do you plan to managed the state’s security and transition’s security through this application (based on the Brian’s Visio File)?

    Reply
  2. Doug Redmond Avatar
    Doug Redmond

    I have no plans to update this utility. However, the source code is available, and anyone is free to improve upon it.
    Thanks for the feedback.

    Reply
  3. Arjen Blok Avatar
    Arjen Blok

    Hi Doug,
    Great app. I’m interested in the other way around. To document my lifecycles. Any chance that you have this already?
    Thanks,

    Reply
  4. Mike Beebe Avatar
    Mike Beebe

    I’m also interested in documenting (in Visio) existing lifecycle definiftions, ccomplete with access rights on each state plus transition Criteria, Actions and Security.

    Reply
  5. scott Avatar
    scott

    I agree that documenting lifecycle states by creating a visio chart from code would be awesome.

    Reply
  6. Mohan Avatar
    Mohan

    I read Out-of-the-box Vault Collaboration ships with
    (a) sample lifecycles like Simple Release, Flexible Lifecycle Definition ….
    (b) Sample Visio file for graphically showing all the transitions for Flexible Lifecycle definition
    I dont see these 2 in my vault (logged in as admin). Where is this located?

    Reply
  7. Mohan Avatar
    Mohan

    Scott, do you have sample lifecycles showing up in your vault

    Reply
  8. Doug Redmond Avatar
    Doug Redmond

    I’m not sure about “B”. But in Vault 2012, you can view “A” under Tools->Administration->Vault Settings. In the Behaviors tab, select the Lifecycles button.
    Files in the base category don’t have lifecycles on them. If you set a file’s category to Engineering, you should be able to change the lifecycle on the file.

    Reply
  9. Dominic Avatar
    Dominic

    Doug, will you post an updated version of this tool that works with the 2012 versions?

    Reply
  10. Doug Redmond Avatar
    Doug Redmond

    I have not plans at the moment to update this for Vault 2012.
    If you or someone you know can program in .NET, it should be easy to update the source code.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Mike BeebeCancel reply

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