Software & Toolkit Access

Software & File Access (Local + Cloud Workspace)

This course uses Microsoft Visio along with exercise-specific stencils and practice files.
These files are provided module by module as ZIP downloads inside the course.

Licensing Note: The stencils and templates provided in this course are for training use only, not commercial production. For real-world, commercial, or production drafting, a separate license for the full IP DaVinci Toolkit is required.

1. Downloading Exercise Files (All Students)

Each module includes a ZIP file containing:

• the practice .vsdx file
• the stencil(s) required for that module (.vssx)
• any supporting images or templates

Download these files directly from the module where they appear.

2. Extracting the ZIP File

1. Download the ZIP
2. Right-click → Extract All
3. Save to a folder you will remember
   (recommended: Documents/PDS Practice Files/Module X)

3. Opening Stencils in Visio

When you open a practice .vsdx file, the included stencils will usually load automatically. If they do not, you can open them manually:

1. In Visio, go to More Shapes → Open Stencil
2. Navigate to your extracted module folder
3. Select the .vssx stencil(s) provided for that exercise

Each module contains only the shapes required for that specific lesson, so you never need to search for additional stencils.

4. Using Templates (If Provided)

Some modules include a .vstx template.

1. Double-click the template
2. Visio will open a new drawing
3. Save it as .vsdx before working

Not all modules require templates.

5. Using the DaVinci Cloud Workspace (Optional)

If you do not have Windows or Microsoft Visio, you may be given access to the DaVinci Cloud Workspace, which provides:

• A Windows virtual environment
• Microsoft Visio pre-installed

The Cloud Workspace uses the exact same workflow as above.

About the Full IP DaVinci Toolkit

Throughout this course, you’ll be using the same stencils and components that appear in the full IP DaVinci Toolkit. The difference is licensing and how they’re delivered.

Inside the course, these shapes are provided module by module, only where needed, and they are licensed for training use only.

The full IP DaVinci Toolkit brings all of these assets together into one integrated library for real-world, commercial drafting — including the complete set of stencils, templates, and production-ready components.

If your instructor or organization upgrades you to the full Toolkit, you’ll receive separate installation instructions at that time.