topic Re: Help with using SDK\DeveloperTools\Samples\VB.NET\AddIns in Inventor Programming Forum

Help with using SDK\DeveloperTools\Samples\VB.NET\AddIns

waynehelley — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 11:03:08 GMT

Hi all,

I have done lots of VB.Net programming with the Inventor API but I would like to learn how to create an Add-In which integrates into the Inventor Interface.

There are just a few things I don't understand. The sample projects are Class Libraries, hence will output dll files when build. How are the 'Visial Studio Add-in definition file's generated?

When I try build the sample projects on my machine, the Post-build events are causing an error (exited with code 9009). What is it that these build events are actually doing? I have a feeling this question might answer my first question too!

call "$(VS110COMNTOOLS)vsvars32.bat"
mt.exe -manifest "$(ProjectDir)My Project\SimpleAddIn.manifest" -outputresource:"$(TargetPath)";#2
tlbexp "$(TargetPath)"

Any help explaining the concepts would be much appreciated. As would any advice on helping to get started.

Many thanks,

Wayne

Re: Help with using SDK\DeveloperTools\Samples\VB.NET\AddIns

MechMachineMan — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 14:17:38 GMT

From what I had done in enabling the VBAAutoMacros addin from the samples, I gathered the steps are this:

1. Use the Inventor Add-in templates to create your code.

2. Compile your code

3. Create a .addin file (or probably copy and change an existing one as necessary) - converting to a .txt, editting, and converting back works just fine. Ensure the GUID's used in them are consistent.

4. Move your .addin and the .dll file to the proper location as indicated in the samples (one to the Inventor\bin, one elsewhere).

I could be missing something, or this could just be for an unregistered addin. Should be a start though!

Good luck.

Re: Help with using SDK\DeveloperTools\Samples\VB.NET\AddIns

waynehelley — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 14:34:59 GMT

Thanks for the reply Justin.

It makes a bit more sense now that I have realised the '.addin' files need to be created manually. It looks like there isn't much to them other than some basic props and the '.dll' location.

Thanks

Re: Help with using SDK\DeveloperTools\Samples\VB.NET\AddIns

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 09:42:50 GMT

@waynehelley Please let me know if you get this working.

I think I have done everything correct as the SDK readme describes but still my add-in is not available 😞