Research & Innovation
The Challenge: Understanding Autodesk Vault API Calls
Have you ever tried to create a custom Vault extension or customize Vault Data Standard? Then you likely know that working with the Autodesk Vault API is like trying to cook with only a list of ingredients. The documentation provides all the components—methods, parameters, and data structures—but without a clear recipe, you're left guessing how to assemble them into a functional solution.
For example, suppose you need to automate a process in Vault, such as checking out a file, updating properties, or changing lifecycle states. The API documentation tells you these functions exist—but in what order do you call them? What parameters do they require? It’s like knowing you need flour, eggs, and sugar but having no idea whether to mix, bake, or chill first.
The Solution: Trace the Vault API Calls
The best way to uncover the missing "recipe" is to trace the Vault API calls. By monitoring how Vault communicates with the API during manual actions, developers can understand the exact sequence of calls needed.
A powerful tool for monitoring HTTP/S traffic is Telerik Fiddler Classic. However, Fiddler is not optimized for Vault API communication, making API call inspection unnecessarily complex.
This is where vapiTrace comes in.
Vault SDK and SOAP: The Foundation of Vault API Communication
Autodesk provides the Vault SDK (Software Development Kit) as an official toolkit for developing custom applications and extensions. It wraps the Vault SOAP API (Simple Object Access Protocol) into a .NET framework, making communication with the Vault Server more straightforward.
Why is SOAP Important?
Despite the SDK's convenience, Vault’s core API communication remains SOAP-based. Developers may still need to understand the raw XML behind API calls, especially when debugging or troubleshooting.
To fully grasp how Vault interacts with the API, developers need a reliable way to capture and analyze API traffic—which brings us to Telerik Fiddler Classic.
Telerik Fiddler Classic: The Go-To Traffic Analyzer (But Not for Vault API)
Fiddler Classic has long been the gold standard for monitoring HTTP/HTTPS traffic. It allows developers to capture, inspect, and modify web requests, making it an invaluable tool for API debugging.
However, there’s a problem:
- Vault API calls use SOAP messages, which are XML-based.
- Fiddler’s XML Inspector doesn’t recognize SOAP, making the only option the Raw Inspector, which is difficult to read and interpret.
Example: A Raw Vault SOAP API Request Captured in Fiddler
A raw Vault SOAP API request body captured in Fiddler: This raw data is difficult to read, making debugging frustrating and time-consuming.
Introducing vapiTrace: The Autodesk Vault API Debugging Upgrade
This is where vapiTrace revolutionizes the debugging experience.
Developed by COOLORANGE, vapiTrace is a Fiddler extension designed specifically to enhance Vault API debugging. It provides:
Readable API Call Visualization – Formats and structures API requests and responses for clarity.
Contextual API References – Directly integrates Vault SDK documentation within the inspector.
PowerShell Code-Snippet Generation – Converts captured API calls into ready-to-use PowerShell scripts.
Fig.1 - vapiTrace transforming the request and response into a structured, readable format with contextual API references.
vapiTrace transforms API debugging from a painstaking manual process into a streamlined, intuitive workflow.
How vapiTrace Improves Your Debugging Process
1. Vault API Call Visualization – Clarity in Debugging
vapiTrace is structuring and formatting Vault API calls, making them far more readable and digestible. With a well-organized view, developers can quickly analyze requests and responses without sifting through confusing XML data. This enhanced visualization significantly reduces debugging time.
2. Vault SDK References – API Documentation at Your Fingertips
Searching for the right API method in the Vault SDK documentation can be time-consuming, especially when working with unfamiliar calls. vapiTrace eliminates this hassle by displaying relevant Vault SDK documentation directly within the Inspector interface. This allows developers to immediately access details about parameters, return values, and usage examples.
3. PowerShell Code-Snippet Generation – Automate with Ease
One of the most powerful features of vapiTrace is its ability to generate PowerShell code snippets based on traced API calls. Developers can instantly convert API interactions into PowerShell function calls, making customizing Vault Data Standard or developing jobs and client customizations with COOLORANGE’s powerJobs a breeze.
Get Started with vapiTrace in 3 Easy Steps
1.) Download & Install Telerik Fiddler Classic.
2.) Goto the vapiTrace webpage to download our tool.
3.) Extract the ZIP file to: %localappdata%\Programs\Fiddler\Inspectors
4.) Restart Fiddler to activate vapiTrace.
Start tracing Vault API calls instantly!
From Ingredients to a Perfect Recipe
Telerik’s Fiddler Classic, extended by vapiTrace, is the best way to decode Vault API interactions and create your own automation workflows.
vapiTrace transforms Autodesk Vault API debugging into an efficient, structured, and insightful process by:
✔ Structuring API calls for better readability
✔ Providing direct SDK references within the interface
✔ Generating PowerShell code snippets for faster automation
References
- Telerik Fiddler Documentation: Getting Started with Fiddler Classic
- Autodesk Support: Vault API - Record manual tasks to simplify coding
- Autodesk Support: How to use Fiddler to troubleshoot Vault client connectivity issues
