Informed Design users can now define and generate custom output files directly from their Inventor datasets, going beyond the built-in output types to support any file format their downstream manufacturing processes require.
Until now, Informed Design only supported a fixed list of predefined output types. For building product manufacturers with specialized needs, such as machine-specific data feeds, unfolded sheet metal DXFs, neutral file formats with custom translation settings, or tailored BOM exports, these built-in types often fell short.
With custom output types, the output file is defined as part of the Inventor/iLogic dataset. Informed Design detects and retrieves the file on demand, uploading it to a specified destination alongside standard outputs.
Why this matters
Every manufacturer's downstream process is unique. Custom output types give teams full control over the data they extract from their product models without waiting for Informed Design to add new built-in output types. Whether it's a machine-specific CSV feed, an XML for a database, or a STEP file with specific translation settings applied, it's now possible to define exactly what gets generated and how.
The content, format, and accuracy of each custom output is the sole responsibility of the user. Informed Design does not generate the file; it only retrieves the custom output files.
Key value and benefits
Custom output types provide the flexibility to generate file type that workflows require, including CSV, JSON, DXF, STEP, SAT, XML, XLSX, and more (see full list below). iLogic provides precise control over what data gets extracted and how it's formatted, ensuring outputs align exactly with downstream manufacturing processes and business rules.
Custom outputs can be individually toggled visible or hidden to low-trust team members via Output settings, providing fine-grained control over visibility and access. Once published, custom outputs can be requested directly from the IND Web App, Revit, or programmatically via the Informed Design API, giving teams multiple convenient ways to retrieve them whenever needed.
How it works
Custom output types are defined entirely in (as part of) the Inventor dataset. A custom output file must already exist in the dataset's root folder (or a sub-folder) before it can be selected in the Product Definition Source Content settings. iLogic rules update the custom output files using one of two methods:
1. During configuration generation: The same iLogic rules that generate the configuration also update the custom output file(s), running automatically with each configuration generation.
2. On-demand via dedicated rule (recommended): A dedicated iLogic rule with the same name as the custom output file is detected by the Informed Design Service and runs only when that custom output is requested. This method avoids running unnecessary rules during every configuration generation.
With either method, Informed Design retrieves the custom output file after the iLogic rules complete. The Informed Design Service doesn't generate, translate, or validate the content of custom output files.
Supported file types
Category
Extensions
CAD / 3D
.dwf, .dxf, .glb, .gltf, .ifc, .ige, .iges, .igs, .obj, .sat, .step, .stl, .stp
Manufacturing
.drl, .gcode
Document
.pdf
Image
.bmp, .jpeg, .jpg, .png, .tif, .tiff
Data / markup
.csv, .html, .json, .txt, .xml, .zip
Spreadsheet
.xls, .xlsx
File checks: Informed Design confirms the file exists and isn't empty (0 KB) before it can be added. It doesn't inspect the file's internal format or content beyond that.
Duplicate handling: Custom output files with the same file name cannot be added, even if they exist in different folders. Informed Design flags these as duplicates.
Per-file visibility: Each custom output file can be independently toggled visible or hidden to low-trust members in Product Definition Output Settings, so some outputs can be broadly available while others stay restricted.
Removing outputs: Removing a file from the Publisher's output list (individually or via Clear all) only updates the product definition. The file itself is left untouched in the project folder.
How to use it (today) - Inventor
Create the custom output file(s) and include them in the root folder of the Inventor project (or a sub-folder).
Write iLogic rules to update the custom output file(s). You can use either approach:
Automatic updates: Rules that run during configuration generation and update the output files
On-demand execution (recommended): Dedicated iLogic rules with names matching the custom output file names. The Informed Design Service detects these rules and executes them only when the corresponding output is requested.
In the Product Definition, go to Source Content and click Select Files to add the custom output files the same way drawing templates are selected.
In Output Settings, toggle on the custom outputs to make available to low-trust members.
Publish the product definition.
Generate custom outputs from the IND Web App, Revit, or via the Informed Design API.
Example iLogic Rules
The attached zip folder contains working examples of dedicated iLogic rules (rule name = file name). Copy the code into an iLogic rule, name the rule to match the desired output file name, and the Informed Design Service will detect and execute it only when that output is requested.
Known limitations
Custom output types have the following constraints and limitations.
User responsibility for content and accuracy: The content, format, and accuracy of each custom output file is the sole responsibility of the user. Informed Design does not generate or validate the file; it retrieves the file as-is. Verify iLogic rules before publishing to ensure they correctly produce the desired output.
Inventor datasets only. Custom outputs are supported for Inventor-based product definitions. Fusion support is not available in this release, as the feature depends on Inventor's iLogic-driven automation.
Fixed output file names required. Output file names must be fixed and predefined. Dynamically named or variable-quantity output files are not supported. Each output file path must be known in advance and remain consistent across all configuration variations.
Part and sub-assembly files not supported. Part files (.ipt) and sub-assembly files (.iam) from the base model assembly cannot be used as custom output types. Only standalone files in supported file types in the dataset's root folder can be selected as outputs.
Filename collisions across folders. Two custom output files cannot share the same file name, even if they are located in different folders. Informed Design will block duplicate file names and prevent both from being added.
File removal does not delete source files. Removing or clearing custom outputs from the Publisher only updates the product definition's output list. The underlying files are not deleted from the project folder.
Missing outputs are silently omitted. If no custom output files are selected in Source Content, no custom output type is generated for that release. There is no error message; the option is simply unavailable to request.
Excel (.xls / .xlsx): iLogic rules must use the LibXL engine for Excel output (Excel COM automation does not work in Design Automation). In Inventor, configure this by opening Zero Document Mode, navigating to Options > Advanced iLogic Configuration, and setting Excel Engine to LibXL. (LibXL is the default on DA4i.) - Note: LibXL supports external Excel files only; embedded Excel files are not supported.
FAQ
Can custom output types be used with Fusion-based products? Not yet. Custom output types depend on Inventor's iLogic rules running through Design Automation for Inventor to keep the output file current. Fusion doesn't yet have an equivalent automation path, so support is deferred for now.
What file types can be used for a custom output? See the supported file types table in the How it works section above.
Does Informed Design validate the contents of custom output files? No. Informed Design only checks that the file exists and isn't empty (0 KB). It doesn't validate the file's format or content. Accuracy of the output is the user's responsibility.
What happens if two files with the same name are selected from different folders? Informed Design treats them as duplicates and prevents both from being added, even though their folder paths differ.
If a custom output is removed from the Product Definition, is the file deleted? No. Removing an output, including using the Clear all button, only updates the product definition's output list. The file itself stays untouched in the project folder.
Is there a limit to the number of custom output files that can be added? There's currently no fixed limit.
Can individual custom outputs be made visible to low-trust members while keeping others private? Yes. Visibility is controlled per custom output file in Output Settings, so outputs can be selectively shared or restricted.
Why does my iLogic rule not run when I request the custom output? Verify that the rule name matches the output file name exactly (including the file extension). The Informed Design Service uses the rule name to detect and trigger the rule, so any mismatch will cause it to be skipped.
Get started
Custom output types are available now for Inventor-based product definitions. To get started:
Open the Inventor dataset.
Prepare the custom output files and iLogic rules (use the examples provided as templates).
Select the custom output files in the Source Content tab of the Informed Design Publisher.
Publish the product definition.
Request custom outputs from the IND Web App, Revit, or via the Informed Design API.
This experience will continue to be refined, and feedback is valued.
For questions, suggestions, or ideas for improvement, leave a comment below or visit the Informed Design Forum to join the conversation.
View full article