VIEWBASE returns 'Inventor Server failed to load' message

[menelikMN88H]

When I go to layout 1 from model space and try to use Viewbase it does not load. It says inventor server fail to load    How can I solve this problem 

[ The subject line of this post has been edited for clarity by @handjonathan Original: Problem with baseview ]

[handjonathan]

Hi @menelikMN88H 

Thanks a lot for posting your question to the forums!  

Check if the issue occurs in a specific drawing file?

If the issue occurs in a specific drawing file, work around this behaviour by exporting the drawing file to a pure AutoCAD file, using the command -EXPORTTOAUTOCAD.

If the issue occurs even in a new drawing, check if the following folder exists or is missing contents:
Version 2022 and earlier: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20xx\Inventor Server
Version 2023: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\Inventor Interoperability 2023

If missing contents, try to copy the contents from a PC where VIEWBASE works normally.
If the issue is happening in 2023, try to run the following .msi in the AutoCAD installer.

C:\Autodesk\AutoCAD_2023_English_Win_64bit_dlm\x64\IX\InventorServerInterop.msi
 
We look forward to hearing back from you with more information so we can help you as a community! 

[menelikMN88H]

I seen a video where the inventor installer can be found in the autocad documents files and be installed in the program but I have trouble getting it done 

[Sergei_Komarov]

Hi everybody,

I’m experiencing the same issue. My students are studying the VIEWBASE command, so I’ve had the chance to observe this problem many times on different computers. It also occurs in the latest version, AutoCAD 2027.

There is a recent article from Autodesk Support that addresses this issue:
https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/VIEWBASE-returns-e...

It partially resolves the problem, but not always. The standard solution is to run a custom AutoCAD installation and manually select the Inventor Interoperability Extension. In some cases, this works: the package downloads successfully and the installation starts automatically. In others, the download completes successfully, but the installation does not start; instead, a “New Package” shortcut appears on the desktop. When launched as an administrator, the installation then completes successfully. However, in most cases with AutoCAD 2026/2027, the launching of the "New Package" either does nothing or displays the message “Another installation is in progress.” As a workaround, we restart the computer, locate the installation folder (…\Autodesk\…\WI), open the most recently created subfolder (named with a 20-digit number), and run the file INVINTEROP_202X.exe as an administrator. This usually works.

Does anyone know a more reliable solution?

[Ed__Jobe]

Did you try this suggestion?

"If contents are missing, try to copy the contents from a PC where VIEWBASE works normally or install the Inventor Interoperability."

[Sergei_Komarov]

Hi Ed,
I mentioned that I did try installing Inventor Interoperability, but it often fails 🙂 So I’ll try copying the Inventor files from a working installation to another computer this week and will report the results.

[lauri_barnhart]

Hello @Sergei_Komarov, we appreciate you posting your question.

Are you still in need of assistance with this?

If you were able to fix the issue, please share what worked for you.

If the issue persists, let us know with an update so we can assist further.

Best,

Lauri | Community Manager

[Sergei_Komarov]

Hi Lauri,

copying the Inventor files to another computer doesn't help 😞

I did notice a pattern: if AutoCAD 2026 was installed several months ago, the Inventor Interoperability installation is automatically prompted the first time VIEWBASE is used. If the user agrees, it installs successfully. However, on freshly installed versions of AutoCAD 2026 and 2027, the behavior is erratic. I suspect there might be a bug in the latest installation packages.

Fortunately, I've found a workflow that consistently works. Assuming AutoCAD is already installed with the default settings:

1. Select the custom installation for the appropriate AutoCAD version from the Autodesk Educational site.

2. Under Extensions, select Inventor Interoperability.

3. Download and run the installer file.

4. Check if a shortcut named New Package appears on the Desktop. Do not run it! (It sometimes fails.)

5. Restart the computer. Otherwise you can get a message "Another installation is in progress" while following the next steps.

6. Navigate to the C:\Autodesk\WI folder.

7. Sort the subfolders inside it by date.

8. Open the subfolder with the most recent creation date/time. Its name contains 20 random digits.

9. Right-click and run the INVINTEROP_202X.exe file inside as an administrator.

For me, that always worked. 

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