Update Inventor File

Description

The UpdateInventorFile node updates parameters and iProperties within a local Autodesk Inventor document (.ipt, .iam, .idw, or .ipn).
It opens the file in Inventor Server, applies parameter and property changes, and saves the updated document.

This node is commonly used to:

• Modify custom iProperties (e.g., Part Number, Description)
• Update model or drawing parameters before exports
• Automate part configuration workflows

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How It Works

1. Validates required input fields.
2. Opens the target Inventor file using the embedded Inventor Server instance.
3. Applies updates to:
   • Parameters — e.g., dimensional or equation-driven variables.
   • Properties — iProperties such as Part Number, Title, or custom fields.
4. Saves and closes the Inventor document.
5. Returns the updated key-value pairs in the output data.

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Input Fields

Field	Type	Description	Required
Local File Full Path	File Path	Full path to the Inventor file (.ipt, .iam, .idw, .ipn) on the local machine or working directory.	✅
Parameters	Dictionary / JSON	Key-value pairs of Inventor parameters to update. Values can be numeric or string-based.	❌
Properties	Dictionary / JSON	Key-value pairs of iProperties to update. Supports both built-in and custom iProperties.	❌

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Example Input (JSON)

{
  "Local File Full Path": "C:\\Projects\\Assembly1.iam",
  "Parameters": {
    "LENGTH": "150.0",
    "WIDTH": "75.0"
  },
  "Properties": {
    "Part Number": "ASM-150-75",
    "Description": "Updated configuration - 150mm x 75mm"
  }
}

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Output Data

Output Variable	Type	Description
UpdatedParameters	Dictionary	List of all parameters successfully updated in the Inventor model.
UpdatedProperties	Dictionary	List of all iProperties successfully updated.
taskMessage	String	Success or failure message.
statusReturn	String	Completed if successful, Fail on error.

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Example Output

{
  "UpdatedParameters": {
    "LENGTH": "150.0",
    "WIDTH": "75.0"
  },
  "UpdatedProperties": {
    "Part Number": "ASM-150-75",
    "Description": "Updated configuration - 150mm x 75mm"
  },
  "taskMessage": "Inventor file update operation completed successfully",
  "statusReturn": "Completed"
}

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Supported File Types

Extension	Description
.ipt	Part Document
.iam	Assembly Document
.idw	Drawing Document
.ipn	Presentation Document

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Task Flow Summary

Step	Action
1	Validates input parameters.
2	Opens the specified Inventor document using Inventor Server.
3	Updates all provided parameters and iProperties.
4	Saves and closes the file.
5	Returns the modified values to the workflow.

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Status Messages

Status	Description
Completed	File updated successfully.
Fail	File not found or Inventor operation failed.

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Error Handling

Common error causes:

• The Inventor file path is invalid or missing.
• The specified parameter or property name does not exist.
• The Inventor Server service is unavailable.
• The file is locked or in use by another process.

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Example Workflow Integration

graph LR
    A[Get Vault File Info] --> B[Download File]
    B --> C[UpdateInventorFile (Apply Parameters & Properties)]
    C --> D[ExportInventorFile (Generate PDF or STEP)]
    D --> E[Upload to Vault]

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Notes

• Parameters are updated using Inventor’s User Parameters collection.
• Properties are updated via the Inventor iProperty utility interface (IPropertyUtils).
• The node automatically handles both JSON string and dictionary input formats.
• The document is always saved and closed after the update operation.
• This node requires Inventor Server to be installed and accessible.

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Category: CAD → Inventor Task Name: UpdateInventorFile