Get Inventor File Data

Description

The Get Inventor File Data node extracts detailed metadata and user-defined parameters from an Autodesk Inventor file (.ipt, .iam, or .idw).
It retrieves both Inventor Parameters and iProperties from the file, making them available to other workflow nodes for automation, reporting, or validation.

This node is commonly used for:

• Reading model or drawing metadata for naming conventions or revision control
• Populating document control systems or ERP records with part properties
• Verifying parameter values prior to automated publishing or export

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How It Works

When executed, this node:

1. Validates that the specified Inventor file exists.
2. Opens the document through the MinuteView Inventor Service (invService).
3. Extracts all User Parameters (name, value, units, expression, etc.).
4. Extracts all iProperties (Inventor’s built-in and custom property sets).
5. Stores both collections into workflow output variables.

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Input Fields

Field	Type	Description	Required
Local File Full Path	Text	Full path to the local Inventor file to analyze.	✅

⚙️ Supported file types:
.ipt (Part), .iam (Assembly), .idw (Drawing), .ipn (Presentation)

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Output Data

Output Variable	Type	Description
Parameters	Dictionary<string, object>	All User Parameters defined in the Inventor file, including values and units.
iProperties	Dictionary<string, object>	All iProperties extracted from the file (both standard and custom).
taskMessage	String	Message summarizing the operation (e.g., “Data extraction completed”).
statusReturn	String	"Completed" on success or "Fail" on error.

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Example Output

{
  "Parameters": {
    "Width": { "Value": 120.0, "Units": "mm", "Expression": "120 mm" },
    "Length": { "Value": 200.0, "Units": "mm", "Expression": "200 mm" },
    "Material": { "Value": "Steel", "Units": "", "Expression": "\"Steel\"" }
  },
  "iProperties": {
    "Part Number": "BRKT-001",
    "Description": "Mounting Bracket - 120mm",
    "Author": "John Smith",
    "Revision Number": "B",
    "Creation Date": "2025-10-07T09:32:00Z"
  },
  "taskMessage": "Data extraction completed - 3 parameters and 5 properties retrieved",
  "statusReturn": "Completed"
}

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Example Workflow Usage

✅ Scenario: Automatically Populate Metadata

1. Vault Get File → Retrieve the latest Inventor file.
2. Get Inventor File Data → Extract all iProperties and parameters.
3. Evaluate Decision Table → Validate if Revision = Current.
4. AutoCADExport / ExportInventorFile → Publish to PDF or STEP only if valid.
5. Data Operation / Upload File → Push metadata to SharePoint or ERP.

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Task Flow Summary

Step	Action
1	Validates the file exists.
2	Opens the file using the Inventor COM API via the MinuteView Publisher Service.
3	Reads all user parameters (numeric, text, or boolean).
4	Reads all iProperties (title, part number, revision, author, etc.).
5	Adds extracted data to workflow outputs.

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Example Configuration

Setting	Example
Local File Full Path	C:\Vault\Designs\Bracket.ipt

Result: The node extracts all Inventor parameters (e.g., Width, Thickness, Material) and iProperties (e.g., Part Number, Description, Revision).

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Status Messages

Status	Description
Completed	The Inventor file was successfully read and data extracted.
Fail	The file could not be found or opened.

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Error Handling

If the task fails:

• The workflow log will contain detailed error messages.
• The node will return taskSuccess = false and statusReturn = "Fail".

Common causes:

• Invalid or missing file path
• File not accessible (permissions or locks)
• Inventor not available or license not active
• Corrupted or incompatible Inventor file format

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Notes

• Requires Autodesk Inventor to be installed and licensed on the automation server.
• Supports all Inventor document types that expose parameters and iProperties.
• The node reads User Parameters, not internal model parameters.
• Extracted data can be used in AI Decision, Data Merge, or Update Excel nodes for reporting.
• iProperties and parameters are retrieved without modifying the original file.

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Example Integration Diagram

graph LR
    A[Vault Get File] --> B[Get Inventor File Data]
    B --> C[Evaluate Decision Table]
    C -->|Revision OK| D[Export Inventor File (PDF)]
    C -->|Revision Invalid| E[Email Notification]

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Category: CAD → Autodesk Inventor Task Name: GetInventorFileData