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Reviewing Artifacts

Overview

Artifacts are the files, documents, and records associated with a capture. Effective artifact review is central to the Capture process, ensuring thorough examination before approval or submission.


Artifact List

Left Navigation Panel

The left panel shows all artifacts in the capture:

  • File name
  • File type icon
  • Version/revision
  • Current state
  • Review status (viewed/not viewed)

Click any artifact to display it in the main viewer

Visual indicators:

  • ✓ Checkmark: Artifact has been viewed
  • ⚠️ Warning: Artifact state changed (stale)
  • 📄 Icon: File type

Viewing Different File Types

2D CAD Drawings

Supported formats:

  • AutoCAD DWG
  • DXF files
  • PDF drawings

Viewing capabilities:

  • Pan and zoom
  • Layer control
  • Measurement tools
  • Print/plot layouts
  • Detail views

Tips for review:

  • Check all layouts/sheets
  • Verify dimensions and scales
  • Review revision clouds
  • Check title block information

3D Models

Supported formats:

  • Inventor parts and assemblies
  • STEP files
  • IGES files
  • Other CAD formats (based on configuration)

Viewing capabilities:

  • 3D rotation
  • Zoom and pan
  • Section views
  • Exploded views (assemblies)
  • Component tree navigation
  • Hide/show components

Tips for review:

  • Examine from multiple angles
  • Check assembly structure
  • Verify component relationships
  • Look for interferences

PDF Documents

Viewing capabilities:

  • Page navigation
  • Zoom controls
  • Text search
  • Thumbnail view
  • Full-screen mode

Tips for review:

  • Navigate through all pages
  • Check document structure
  • Verify completeness
  • Review all sections

Office Documents

If configured:

  • Word documents
  • Excel spreadsheets
  • PowerPoint presentations

Viewing capabilities:

  • Native or PDF rendering
  • Page/sheet navigation
  • Basic zoom

Tips for review:

  • Check all sheets/slides
  • Verify data accuracy
  • Review formatting

View Controls

Zoom

Mouse wheel: Scroll to zoom in/out

Zoom buttons: Click +/- for incremental zoom

Zoom to fit: Auto-fit artifact to viewer

Zoom to selection: Zoom to specific area

Best practices:

  • Start with fit-to-view
  • Zoom in for detail examination
  • Use zoom-to-selection for specific areas

Pan

Click and drag: Move view around

Spacebar + drag: Temporary pan mode

Arrow keys: Pan in small increments (if supported)

Best practices:

  • Pan to examine all areas
  • Don't miss edges of drawings
  • Check all corners and details

Rotate (3D Models)

Click and drag: Free rotation

Middle mouse: Orbit view

Rotation controls: Standard view buttons (top, front, right, isometric)

Best practices:

  • View from multiple angles
  • Use standard views for reference
  • Check hidden areas

Artifact Details

Metadata Display

For each artifact, view:

  • File name: Full name with extension
  • Version/Revision: Current version number
  • State: Lifecycle state
  • Size: File size
  • Modified date: Last modification
  • Properties: Custom properties (if available)

Accessing Details

Click info icon or artifact properties:

  • Opens detail panel
  • Shows all metadata
  • Displays version history
  • Links to source system

Review Tracking

Viewed Status

System tracks which artifacts you've viewed:

  • Automatic tracking when artifact opened
  • Visual indicator in artifact list
  • Progress bar (if configured)

Requirements

If all artifacts must be reviewed:

  • Open and view each artifact
  • System marks as viewed
  • Action buttons enable when complete

If minimum artifacts required:

  • View required number
  • Remaining views optional
  • Proceed when minimum met

Comparing Artifacts

Side-by-Side Comparison

Some environments support:

  • Dual viewer mode
  • Compare two versions
  • Overlay comparison
  • Difference highlighting

Manual Comparison

Without automatic comparison:

  • Open first artifact, examine carefully
  • Switch to second artifact
  • Note differences manually
  • Document in comments or markups

Artifact States

Understanding States

Artifacts display their Vault or system state:

  • Work in Progress: In development
  • For Review: Ready for review
  • Released: Approved and released
  • Obsolete: No longer current

State Implications

Consider state when reviewing:

  • Is this the expected state?
  • Should all artifacts be in same state?
  • Are state transitions appropriate?

Stale artifacts:

  • If state changed during review, marked as stale
  • May need to recreate capture with current versions

Efficient Review Strategies

Systematic Approach

  1. Start with overview

    • Scan artifact list
    • Note file types and quantities
    • Plan review order
  2. Review in logical order

    • Assembly before details (3D)
    • Main drawings before sections (2D)
    • Documents in reading order
  3. Check thoroughly

    • Don't rush
    • Examine all areas
    • Use zoom for details
    • Verify completeness
  4. Document findings

    • Add markups as you go
    • Note issues immediately
    • Use comments for overall observations

Focus Areas

For engineering drawings:

  • Dimensions and tolerances
  • Material specifications
  • Revision levels
  • Title block information
  • Notes and callouts

For 3D models:

  • Component relationships
  • Assembly constraints
  • Interference check
  • Missing components
  • Property data

For documents:

  • Completeness
  • Accuracy
  • Formatting
  • Required sections
  • Data validation

Common Review Scenarios

Drawing Package Review

Process:

  1. Open assembly or main drawing
  2. Review overall design
  3. Check detail drawings
  4. Verify consistency across drawings
  5. Check revision levels
  6. Verify title blocks

Document Transmittal Review

Process:

  1. Verify correct documents included
  2. Check document versions
  3. Review for completeness
  4. Verify required signatures/approvals
  5. Check metadata accuracy

Quality Inspection

Process:

  1. Review against specifications
  2. Check dimensional accuracy
  3. Verify material properties
  4. Document findings
  5. Note any non-conformances

Tips for Thorough Reviews

Before You Begin

  • ✅ Understand review purpose
  • ✅ Know what to look for
  • ✅ Have specifications/requirements ready
  • ✅ Allocate sufficient time

During Review

  • ✅ Follow systematic approach
  • ✅ Don't skip artifacts
  • ✅ Use zoom for details
  • ✅ Add markups as you find issues
  • ✅ Take notes

Completing Review

  • ✅ Verify all artifacts examined
  • ✅ Document all findings
  • ✅ Summarize in comments
  • ✅ Make clear decision

Troubleshooting

Artifact Won't Open

Check:

  • File format supported?
  • Network connection working?
  • Service account configured?
  • Try refreshing page

Poor Image Quality

Try:

  • Zoom in for better resolution
  • Check source file quality
  • Verify viewer settings
  • Contact administrator if persistent

Slow Performance

Causes:

  • Large file sizes
  • Complex 3D models
  • Network latency
  • Many artifacts

Solutions:

  • Close other tabs
  • Check network speed
  • Simplify models if possible
  • Contact IT support

Next Steps

After reviewing artifacts:

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