Documentation / Inventor

Inventor API

Build mechanical design applications on a flexible platform

Autodesk Inventor® is a versatile software platform for creating custom mechanical design applications and seamless integration with manufacturing workflows. The COM API allows you to automate repetitive design tasks and extend the software functionality using languages such as Visual Basic, C++, C#, Python, Java, and more. Autodesk Inventor can also use Microsoft’s VBA providing an in-product experience.

SDKs and tools

Program Inventor with the SDK sample programs and tools. When you install Inventor, the SDK is automatically located here: C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Inventor <version>\SDK 

Folder files

Access the SDK information by installing one or both of these msi files and double-clicking them in Explorer.

Automate tasks with this installer for add-ins and standalone executables. It creates directories with ready-to-use dll and exe files, eliminating the need to compile source code. It also includes source code that can be used as a sample and can be modified to customize and extend tool functionality.

Add-ins

  • AttributeHelper: helps you view and edit the attributes and attributes sets inside a document

  • AutoCustomize: demonstrates how you can write an application that will simplify usage of VBA macros by making them available as icons in the correct panelbars

  • DerivedPart_SP: allows you to create a derived part that is scaled and positioned, with respect to the source part

  • DrawingTools: provides some useful commands that will be available in the drawing environment

  • GeneralTools: provides some general commands that will be available in the part and drawing environments

Executables

  • CopyDesign: copies the set of specified drawing files from an existing directory location to a new directory location

  • PartNumberModifier: addresses the problem of Global BOM taking any parts that have the same part number and “merging” them into a single line item in the Parts List

These programs are installed in a UserTools subdirectory within the SDK folder. You can learn more about each tool in their respective ReadMe file.

Write applications with the Inventor API installing these additional sample programs and tools. This component creates directories in these subfolders:

  • Docs: includes an object model diagram and guidelines for creating user interfaces in Inventor programs

  • Include: contains header files (".h") mainly used for VC++ programming but can be useful in other scenarios as well

  • References: contains a utility only for internal use, which is obsolete with registry-free add-ins

  • Samples: offers various larger programs written in different languages that show how to access and use the Inventor API

  • Tools: includes 2 programs for working with the API,
    • EventWatcher for monitoring Inventor events during program development and better understanding of event behavior
    • ThumbnailView for extracting thumbnail images from Inventor documents without going through Inventor (refer to the readme and samples to learn how to use this small component)

Apprentice

Autodesk Inventor Apprentice is a free COM server enabling standalone applications to have query access to Inventor Documents. Access includes assembly structure, solids topology and geometry, plus query/edit access to file references and document properties. Apprentice is installed as part of Inventor. The documentation and samples are included as part of the Inventor SDK.

Object Model Chart

The Object Model Chart is very useful in understanding what objects are available and how to navigate the object hierarchy to get a desired object. The latest version can be accessed from the SDK: C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\<Inventor version>\SDK\DeveloperTools\Docs>.

Community and support

Whether you're an experienced Inventor user or just starting out, this is a good place to ask questions, share tips, connect, and learn from others.