Autodesk Inventor API Development in C# and VB.NET
We build Inventor applications on the full Inventor API: model and assembly generation, sheet metal automation, drawing creation, iProperty and BOM tools, standalone utilities and cloud automation.
The full power of Inventor, programmable
The Inventor API exposes almost everything a user can do in Inventor, and many things they cannot do quickly: creating features and sketches, placing and constraining components, editing parameters, working with sheet metal and frames, generating drawing views and reading or writing the BOM. It is a COM API, used from .NET languages such as C# and VB.NET.
ENGIMANDI uses the API in several forms. In-process add-ins give the best performance and integrate with the ribbon. Standalone applications can drive Inventor for batch jobs. Apprentice Server reads iProperties, references and BOM data from Inventor files without opening full Inventor, which is ideal for fast reporting utilities. For web and server scenarios, Design Automation for Inventor runs your code in Autodesk's cloud.
More detail in our article on Inventor API automation.
What you get
- Part & assembly generation
- Parameter & iProperty control
- Sheet metal & flat pattern tools
- Drawing view & annotation automation
- BOM reading, editing & export
- Apprentice-based utilities
- Design Automation for Inventor
- Full source code & documentation
What we build with the Inventor API
Applications for design, documentation and data.
Assembly Generation
Place, replace and constrain components, create patterns and build complete assemblies from rules.
Part Modelling
Sketches, features, parameters and iParts or iAssemblies driven from data.
Sheet Metal
Flanges, flat patterns, bend tables and DXF export for laser, punch and press brake.
Drawings
Views, dimensions, parts lists, balloons and sheet management generated automatically.
Apprentice Utilities
Fast tools that read properties, references and BOMs without a full Inventor session.
Cloud Automation
Design Automation for Inventor apps behind web configurators and ordering portals.
Inventor API stack
Autodesk-supported interfaces.
Typical projects
- Machine frame generator from a 2D layout sketch
- Batch DXF export of all sheet metal parts in an assembly
- Standard part replacement across hundreds of assemblies
- Where-used and property report with Apprentice
- Automatic drawing set for configured products
- Cloud service generating STEP and PDF for sales
How we develop Inventor API applications
Analyse
Models, templates, workflow and constraints.
Architect
Add-in, standalone, Apprentice or cloud approach.
Develop
Iterative builds with demos on your data.
Test
Edge cases, performance and version checks.
Deliver
Installer, documentation and support.
Inventor API questions
What is Apprentice Server?
It is a lightweight component installed with Inventor that reads Inventor files, properties and references without the full user interface. It is ideal for fast reporting tools.
Can the API run without a user at the PC?
Batch tools can drive desktop Inventor unattended, and Design Automation for Inventor runs Inventor in the cloud with no desktop at all.
Is C# or VB.NET better?
Both work equally well with the Inventor API. We usually use C# unless your team prefers VB.NET for maintenance.
Can you convert our iLogic rules into an add-in?
Yes. We migrate complex iLogic rule sets into structured C# add-ins when they become hard to maintain.
Do you support Inventor Professional features?
Yes, including frame generator, tube and pipe, cable and harness where the API exposes the required functions.