by Chris Smith

The Autodesk Inventor SDK (Software Development Kit) is a powerful tool that allows developers to automate tasks and extend the functionality of Autodesk Inventor, a widely used CAD software. Whether you're looking to streamline repetitive design processes or create custom tools to enhance productivity, the Inventor SDK provides the framework to achieve these goals.

Key Benefits of Using Autodesk Inventor SDK

1. Automation: By using the SDK, you can automate tasks that are time-consuming or repetitive. This could include generating drawings, applying standard component sizes, or automating assembly configurations.
2. Customisation: Inventor SDK allows for the creation of custom user interfaces, commands, and workflows. This can significantly enhance user productivity by tailoring the Inventor environment to the specific needs of your projects.
3. Integration: With the SDK, Inventor can be integrated with other software systems such as PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) or ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems. This helps in streamlining workflows, improving data consistency, and enhancing communication between systems.

Getting Started with the Inventor SDK

To begin using the SDK, you'll need a good understanding of VB.NET or C#, as these are the primary languages supported. The SDK includes comprehensive libraries and documentation, along with sample projects to help developers get up to speed quickly.

Here are a few steps to get started:

1. Install the SDK: The Autodesk Inventor SDK is included with the Inventor installation. You can find it in the Users folder here - C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Inventor 202x\SDK\Developertools.msi.
2. Understand the API: Familiarize yourself with Inventor’s object model by referring to the API documentation. You’ll interact with objects such as parts, assemblies, and drawings via the Inventor API.
3. Explore Sample Code: The SDK provides sample code that demonstrates various common tasks, such as creating parts, adding features, or modifying assemblies. Start with these examples and build your knowledge.
4. Develop Add-ins or Macros: You can create Inventor add-ins or macros to run automated tasks. Add-ins are standalone applications that run inside Inventor, while macros are simpler scripts that automate repetitive tasks.

Example: Automating Part Creation

For instance, you could use the SDK to automate the creation of a standard component. Here’s a basic example in VB.NET using Visual Studio Windows Forms App. A basic understanding of Visual Studio is required.

This simple code snippet checks for an existing Inventor instance or opens a new Inventor instance, creates a new part document, and starts a sketch on the default plane. From here, you can build upon this to add features, constraints, and more.

It is important to add the Autodesk Inventor libraries to the references in the project so that the APIs can be accessed.

This can be done using the COM menu when adding a reference

This will allow Importing of the Inventor tools

Conclusion

The Autodesk Inventor SDK is an invaluable tool for anyone looking to enhance their Inventor experience. By automating routine tasks and creating custom solutions, developers can save time, reduce errors, and boost productivity. Whether you're creating simple macros or complex add-ins, the Inventor SDK opens up a world of possibilities for improving your design workflows.