topic 256 Character Limit File Path Issue in Inventor Forum

256 Character Limit File Path Issue

jcharronYJF55 — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:11 GMT

When trying to save in Inventor for eg. Frame Generator parts, I get the error "The System cannot find the file specified -> the Database in c:\[258 characters] could not be saved" or I get the error at Frame Generation where the filepath just glares red at me.

I have already edited the windows registry though to turn on the flag for LongPathsEnabled, which is what documentation has been steering me toward on this issue.

This is Windows 11 Pro.

I don't really know how to proceed.

I would go about restructuring my folder and file tree where I have all my files, but I already have enough files where this would cause me a significant amount of time and headache (days, and multiple tylenol) to move and restructure everything while keeping/breaking file/drawing/assembly dependencies intact (I have had bad experiences thus far with Pack and Go as well). A shame really, the first 91 or so chars are out of my control, it's just how we're set up in our collaboration space (C:\users\...\ACCDocs\...), and the rest if I don't use enough descriptors things *will* get lost and I don't want to resort to some wonky internal hexadecimal system where I have to know my project TK421 from project QZX989 just to save on characters. And the Frame generator itself wants 30 chars just for the frame .ipt itself, + "\Frame\", and X+2 chars for a subfolder it names based off the name of the assembly file it's being designed into. So I only have about 100 chars to handle my own folder tree and name my project files, which is becoming a bit of a hangup.

Re: 256 Character Limit File Path Issue

bradeneuropeArthur — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:34 GMT

Seems that you have done this already, right?

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/The-Windows-10-default-path-length-limitation-MAX-PATH-is-256-characters.html

https://outsourcedit.co.nz/fixing-the-256-character-file-name-limit-in-windows-10-11/#:~:text=Go%20to%20Windows%20Start%20and,Select%20the%20entry%20named%3A%20LongPathsEnabled.

Re: 256 Character Limit File Path Issue

jcharronYJF55 — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:40:53 GMT

Yes, I have done that:

And the file path is based on my C:\ drive though it is what ACC Docs has to sync to. Don't know if relevant but mention to be sure.

Re: 256 Character Limit File Path Issue

johnsonshiue — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 00:38:57 GMT

Hi! Even though Long File Path is enabled in Windows, I don't think Inventor supports it. You need to limit the file path, including the file name to be less than 256 characters.

Many thanks!

Re: 256 Character Limit File Path Issue

jcharronYJF55 — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:52:50 GMT

That is not what Autodesk's own documentation says,

"Autodesk products do not have their own internal path length limits and are only limited by the limits of the Windows operating system."

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/What-is-the-maximum-path-length-for-Autodesk-products-on-Windows-10.html

Re: 256 Character Limit File Path Issue

jcharronYJF55 — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:33:22 GMT

I guess my recourse right now is we abbreviate the folder tree and tell my colleagues to reopen their .ipj files from explorer to restore their projects in their 'new' file paths. I'd still like to know that this is resolvable though because frame tool loves making its own subfolders and verbose part names.

Re: 256 Character Limit File Path Issue

Mario.VanWiechen — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:43:52 GMT

@jcharronYJF55 wrote:
I guess my recourse right now is we abbreviate the folder tree and tell my colleagues to reopen their .ipj files from explorer to restore their projects in their 'new' file paths. I'd still like to know that this is resolvable though because frame tool loves making its own subfolders and verbose part names.

Dont let it, I put the frame members in the same directory as the rest of my parts with short filenames. No BS directories and filenames

Do the work on the front end so you do not have issues like you have now

Learn to use the "File Naming Default " window

This is what my frame member directory looks like, you could add a minor desciption if it suited you

Re: 256 Character Limit File Path Issue

jcharronYJF55 — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:00:21 GMT

Where do I pull up this menu of options? Thanks

Re: 256 Character Limit File Path Issue

Mario.VanWiechen — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:46:48 GMT

@jcharronYJF55 wrote:
Where do I pull up this menu of options? Thanks

Re: 256 Character Limit File Path Issue

bradeneuropeArthur — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:30:28 GMT

Find it here:

Re: 256 Character Limit File Path Issue

jcharronYJF55 — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 15:00:06 GMT

Excellent

Re: 256 Character Limit File Path Issue

johnsonshiue — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 21:45:27 GMT

Hi! The article you mentioned is a bit confusing. Essentially, it says Windows dictates the path length. Inventor isn't capable of processing file name longer than 256 regardless of Windows' limitation.

Many thanks!

Re: 256 Character Limit File Path Issue

k.hendrickx — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 09:01:21 GMT

Hi, I also just ran into this issue trying to have a nice folder structure for assembly and sub-assembly storage and came across what might be a sufficient workaround.

Apparently Inventor seems (as far as I have tested it) to handle shortcuts to folders quite well.

This means that you could place a shortcut to a folder that isn't as deep in your folder, and Inventor will redirect to this folder instead.

It seems to be working for assemblies (even existing ones); I haven't tried it yet with drawings or other linked documents though, so please test it for yourself before overhauling your folder structure using these shortcuts, but still worth mentioning, I guess.

wkr

Re: 256 Character Limit File Path Issue

lewisanna2025 — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 10:55:38 GMT

✅ Yes, you can use Long Path Tool to solve this issue. Here's how:

Download Long Path Tool from
Install and open the software.
Use the tool to:
- Delete files/folders with long paths.
- Move or copy data from deep directories.
- Rename nested folders to shorter names.

Re: 256 Character Limit File Path Issue

johnsonshiue — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 19:31:38 GMT

Hi Lewis,

It may appear working. But Inventor does not support file path longer than 256 characters internally.

Many thanks!

Re: 256 Character Limit File Path Issue

charlotjohanson8954 — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 15:48:06 GMT

You can use tools like Gs Richcopy 360 or Goodaync to copy or move long path name files without having to shortening every file name

Re: 256 Character Limit File Path Issue

bomblotus03 — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 04:34:58 GMT

You can try using a tool like LongPathTool. It helps manage and delete files or folders with long path issues easily.

Re: 256 Character Limit File Path Issue

mdsaifulsim99 — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 12:56:15 GMT

LongPathTool helps handle long file paths that hit the character limit in this issue.

Re: 256 Character Limit File Path Issue

perry75857 — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 06:42:48 GMT

try LongPathTool.

Re: 256 Character Limit File Path Issue

perry75857 — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 06:45:41 GMT

try Long Path Tool.