Stages & files

Stages#

A stage is a phase of a project's work — "Schematic Design", "Permit Submission", "Construction Documentation". A project starts with the stages from its project type (if one was picked), and you can add, reorder, or remove them as needed.

Each stage has its own files, its own expected duration, and is the unit of review.

Where files live#

Vellum supports two file-storage options, configured per company:

• Vellum's secure cloud storage (default) — files upload from your computer and appear in the stage automatically.
• Autodesk Revit Cloud — an alternative that stores files inside the Autodesk hub, project, and folder structure your firm already uses.

Both options behave the same from your point of view — you upload, your team sees them, and you mark them for review in the same way.

Review states#

Every file on a stage has a review status:

• Pending — uploaded, awaiting review.
• Approved — accepted by the reviewer.
• Changes Requested — the reviewer has asked for changes; treat this as the new "to-do".

Reviewers are configured per stage. They can be internal employees, or — when the stage is marked as a client review step on the project type — the project's client.

Review audit log#

Every approval or change-request is recorded in the file's review history. Each entry shows who reviewed, when, what they decided, and any attached comment. The most recent entry is what's current; older entries stay on file as history.