Autodesk Inventor

[#1]

I just recently upgraded the operating system on my workstation from Windows Xp to Windows 7 Professional 64 bit. I am using the latest release of Autodesk Inventor 2012 and done clean install after the new operating system was installed. When I choose the default program in windows explorer (Inventor 2012) to open files associated with inventor instead of the Autodesk Inventor View 1.0, all of the icons for all files become the same, it is very hard to tell apart .ipt, .idw,.iam, .ipn files as they all have the same icon. I would like to know if there is a fix to correct the icons back to what we are use to seeing them.  Any information that you could provide me with would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Henry

[#2]

Sounds like you didn't have admin rights or didn't turn off UAC prior to install. You also need to be at least a power user to run Inventor.

[#3]

Also as a note, Autodesk has ALWAYS recommended opening the file from the application and not from Windows Explorer.

[#4]

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Mark_Flayler wrote:

Also as a note, Autodesk has ALWAYS recommended opening the file from the application and not from Windows Explorer.

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Wow, now it has become completely apparent that you are an Autodesk shill. Do not open a file in windows explorer?

Are you joking me? If Autodesk made cars you'd be on here telling people to only use reverse to drive forward, that is what is recommended.

To the original poster, the problem is that after 13 years, Autodesk still can't get their software to reliably register with the OS during install or launch. You most likely will have to do a repair install or manually re-register.

[#5]

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HENRYKNIGHT1426 wrote:

, it is very hard to tell apart .ipt, .idw,.iam, .ipn files as they all have the same icon.

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I have had this happen to me from time-to-time in the past when I had several versions of Inventor installed.

I didn't do anything to "fix it" - at some point it would always seem to fix itself so I never bothered to try to get to the root of the problem.

Have you rebooted the computer and the problem persists?
Have you installed Service Pack 1 (with UAC and anti-virus turned off during install)?

[#6]

No, its just common sense.

If you open a file in Windows explorer, how do you know you are active in the correct project file?  Do you not use Project files?

Also I am not a shill (that would infer that I never said who I work for), I never hid the fact that I work for a reseller.  But our company also does support for Catia, and Pro-E as well.

[#7]

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Mark_Flayler wrote:

No, its just common sense.

If you open a file in Windows explorer, how do you know you are active in the correct project file?  Do you not use Project files?

As far as driving forward, I would say its better than driving backwards down the road!  Also I am not a shill (that would infer that I never said who I work for), I never hid the fact that I work for a reseller.  But our company also does support for Catia, and Pro-E as well.

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It's called Vault Pro with single project file. When I drive my car, I put it in drive & drive forward. I don't put it in reverse & drive backward down the road while telling passengers we are driving forward. I don't know where you got your common sense but I suggest you demand a refund.

[#8]

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Vlad.Makarov wrote:

 When I drive my car, I put it in drive & drive forward. I don't put it in reverse & drive backward down the road while telling passengers we are driving forward. I don't know where you got your common sense but I suggest you demand a refund.

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I don't understand the analogy - can you elaborate?
When you drive your car, when you put it in Drive, you are operating the controls of the product from within the product (car).  Not withstanding the actual problem statement (file association vs opening files with Explorer - I think I must open dozens of files every day by double clicking, would frustrate me too if couldn't), but I must be missing some of that common sense stuff required to understand the analogy you present.

[#9]

If you are running Vault that's fine then.  Where did you see in the OP's post that he was using Vault Pro?  Even Vault users have multiple project files and if they are not sure if a version is current, they have to check through Vault as well.  It is good common practice to open from the application and to check out / check in from the application addin.

No need to insult someone that does something different than you.  Just shows that you can't take criticism.

Oh, and you can have multiple projects even though you are using Vault.  What about items you don't want in Vault (side projects) or Library/Styles editing (Admin) projects.  Your way is not the way of the world despite your microcosm of usage.

I fail to see how your driving reference holds any water here anyway.  Yes I get what you are saying, but opening from Windows to me is not faster than the application.  Would you tell this to a company without Vault that has 20+ project files?  How about 40? How about a new user that doesn't know quite grasp the idea of a project file yet and needs to make sure they are working in the correct workspace.

JD also has a point here.  I think you might need to scale back your analogies.  After you have implemented Inventor in as many companies and trained as many users as JD and I have you can question our common sense.

[#10]

Criticize away, I came from the dirt & that's where I'm heading. I can take everything you can give & more. You asked me if I used project files. I said no. What does a project file have to do with program icons not registering? Microcosm of usage? I have no idea what this has to do with file icons not registering but I'm sure yourself & Doctor Mather will enlighten me.