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Chapter 24: Building Complex Scenes with Containers and XRefs

For an asset tracking system, assets are defined as any file that is used as part of a project. This could
include Max scene files, XRefs, bitmap textures, MAXScript files, and so on. One of the key benefits to the
Vault asset management system is that it stores data in a hierarchical structure including files such as tex-
tures as dependents of the Max scene file.

Checking in and checking out
To request an asset from the asset tracking system, you “check out” the file. This command locks the file so
you can edit it without worrying about others making changes at the same time. If another user tries to
check out a file that is already checked out, he receives a polite message stating that the requested file is
available for read-only access and lists you as the person who has the file checked out. The requested file
can be loaded and viewed, but it cannot be edited.
When you’re finished editing the file, you can “check in” the file, making it available for other users. As a
file is checked in, a comment dialog box appears where you can enter a message about the latest changes.
Over time, these comments are compiled into a historical list that marks the changes over the life of the file.
The asset tracking system also can be used to recall the file at any point in its history.

Note
Asset tracking systems such as Vault are very good at reminding you to check out and check in files so changes
aren’t lost. For example, if you make changes to a checked out Vault file and try to open another file, a dialog box
appears reminding you to check the file back in before opening another file. n

Using the Asset Tracking interface
The Asset Tracking interface, shown in Figure 24.10, is opened using the Application Button ➪
References ➪ Asset Tracking menu command. It also may be opened using the Shift+T keyboard shortcut.
This interface also allows you to access commands in the main Max interface while it is open.
Vault files that are opened appear in this interface including all dependent files such as texture bitmaps,
XRefs, photometric files, render files, and so on. Using the buttons at the top of the interface, you can
Refresh the current list to see the latest updates, view the Status Log (which is a running list of all Vault
commands), and change the view between a Tree view and a Table view.
To the left of each filename is a small icon that marks the status of the file. These icons are handy when the
Tree view is enabled, or you can read the status as text in the Table view. The Table view includes separate
columns for displaying the Name, Full Path, Status, Proxy Resolution, and Proxy Status of the various files.
On the left side of the interface are two buttons for filtering the assets. The first button highlights the mate-
rial and map assets. The second button highlights the assets for the selected object.

Logging in
The first step in using an asset tracking system is to log into the system. This lets the system know who you
are, the access rights you have, and which name to place beside the assets you edit. You can log into the
designated asset tracking system using the Server ➪ Log in menu command in the Asset Tracking dialog box
(refer to Figure 24.10).

Note
If Vault or another asset tracking software isn’t installed, then the Log In command is unavailable. n

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