INVENTOR 2018 Pro

[autodesk-MM]

Hello,

In Inventor Pro 2016, when browsing for models I was going to 'open' or 'save as' (when a model was already open) to find something else from the same location I was right clicking and open many models or/and drawings etc. then cancelling window and every 'right click-open' chosen parts were opening automatically. Now it doesn't work and its really annoying! Is there any setting to bring this back or as usual they have done more bad then good with their upgrades?

Thanks for any advise.

[Mark.Lancaster]

@autodesk-MM

I'm not fully understand your workflow.  Can you create a screencast showing your workflow.

[-niels-]

I understand the workflow and it doesn't seem to work anymore in IV2018.
@Mark.Lancaster, try this (in IV2016 it works, not sure about 2017 and 2018 it doesn't):
- click "open"
- in the filedialog right-click on an inventor file and select "open" from the context menu
- you can repeat this for other files
- nothing should open, until you cancel out of the "open" dialog
- in IV2016 every file that was "right-click > open" will open, 2018 nothing happens

@autodesk-MM, I found this useful only when you had to select files from different directories, if everything is in the same directory you can just multi-select using CTRL or SHIFT...

There is one thing you have to take note of though, which is probably why this is disabled; technically you're opening files through windows file explorer instead of using Inventor.

There are file resolving issues related to using windows explorer when opening Inventor files, so it's something to be aware of.

[Mark.Lancaster]

@-niels-

Thanks for the clarification...

If you select an AutoCAD drawing in this process it will open AutoCAD... 

[autodesk-MM]

You still doesn't seem to understand. So: you have opened 10 models. Bearing is first, bolt was the last. Now working with the bearings you want to open another bearing from the bearing location. When you click open inventor will open last directory , bolts in this example. So you are forced to navigate to the bearings again- which is a pain. Easier is to click your bearing 'save as' and you are the right place. Right click and open as many models you want and cancel the window. After 'save as' window closed all right click open models should open but not in 2018. Initial question will be how to get this back, because it's very handy.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Guys,

I am sorry I am confused. I cannot reproduce the problem on 2018. I can right-click on any Inventor file -> Open. Inventor will be started automatically and the file will be opened. It sounds like user profile issue. If you run Inventor as Admin, do you still have the problem?

Many thanks!

[autodesk-MM]

Then read with understanding.... where is written I am trying to open a part from Windows level????

[autodesk-MM]

I have checked this on 4 other machines. It doesn't work. John please go to File>Open - choose any model or drawing. Right click on it and choose open. In 2016 all those right clicked should open right after 'open' window is closed. In 2018 nothing is happening. I don't think I can explain better. I can add a screen shot if that helps.

[Ray_Feiler]

http://autode.sk/2wicc40

[PaulMunford]

Would this alternative help?

Switch to the 'home' tab.
Look for the shortcut of the file in the directory you want to explore.
Hover over the shortcut, click on the cog wheel.
From the dropdown choose 'explore directory' or 'open directory' (I can't remember the exact wording).

One option opens the containing folder in windows, the other opens the containing folder with inventors open command.

Let us know if that helps?

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Michael,

I got better understanding of the workflow by watching Ray's video. Now I know it is about opening files within Open dialog. I thought it was related to open in File Explorer. The behavior I am seeing on my machine is the same as shown in Ray's video. Is it the same on your machine too? If yes, I will work with the project team to understand the behavior better and see what we can do. This one is tricky. It is like we will have to react to this right-click even within Open dialog.

The other thing is that I am not sure if you are aware that you could select multiple files within Open dialog and then click Open button in the dialog to open multiple files.

Many thanks!

[autodesk-MM]

Ray presented what I was trying to explain. Thank you. Have you done it in 2018? I can't see.

[autodesk-MM]

John if it's working as presented I wouldn't ask the question. It is not working on mine and 4 other machines. Please read what I wrote especially with bearing and bolt example. Will write again: Imagine emoji hitting the wall.... this is me when I want to open a bearing directory and I am in frigging bolts.... I simply like my way clicking save as on a bearing model and have bearing directory open straight away rather then browsing trough the trees of <a lot of inapropriate words> mess...

It was working ok. I don't understand why they've had to ruin it...

[Curtis_Waguespack]

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@autodesk-MM wrote:
.... I simply like my way clicking save as on a bearing model and have bearing directory open straight away rather then browsing trough the trees of <a lot of inapropriate words> mess...

It was working ok. I don't understand why they've had to ruin it...

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Hi michalmierzynski,

I use this method of opening files from time to time as well, and just checked and it still works in Inventor 2017 & Windows 7

I doubt anyone set out to "ruin it", more likely some change was made that inadvertently "broke it". Hopefully the behavior can be restored.

I'm curious what OS are you using (in case it makes a difference).

I noticed you created an idea on this already:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-ideas/right-click-and-open-doesn-t-work-in-2018/idi-p/741005...

Typically we'd want to make sure an issue like this is not able to be fixed via a service pack, etc, before logging and Idea forum post. 

Also, until they fix it (fingers crossed) this might or might not help: 

     Many users aren't aware that they can paste a folder address into the open and save dialogs. Often I have the folder open on another screen anyway, so I'll copy and paste the address from Windows Explorer into the open or save dialog rather than browsing up 22 folders and down another 12...

 I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com

[Mark.Lancaster]

I just like to add to this one more time.. 

In Inventor 2018 there was some enhancements to the open dialog and thus the new coding could've block something that worked in the past.  I tired this operating in Word and it doesn't allow me to do this at all.  Wonder how other Windows application related to this type workflow.  So I guess I have to question was it broke all this time and fixed in Inventor 2018 or visa-versa.  Not saying the workflow is wrong or correct or you shouldn't be using it, but what is the intent by the Inventor Development team.  Anyhow my 2 cents...

[Curtis_Waguespack]

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@Mark.Lancaster wrote:

I just like to add to this one more time.. 

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I normally only read what you write up until noon my time, then I start ignoring anything with your name on it , so I missed what you said on the subject earlier. 

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@Mark.Lancaster wrote:

  I tired this operating in Word and it doesn't allow me to do this at all.  Wonder how other Windows application related to this type workflow.  

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I tried this in Notepad and it worked like "the cat's pajamas". I tried it in Word and received a nice message informing me that "Word can't do this because a dialog box is open. Please close the dialog box and continue." 

Which I was happy to do... because it said please. When Inventor 2018 disallows this now, does it provide a message that says please? 

But to your point, I think you're correct that it might have been disallowed for a reason. Like maybe it was causing Inventor to crash, or maybe it was causing Revit to crash and for the sake of consistency...   .... lol, never mind that doesn't seem likely.  

[autodesk-MM]

Those presentations are not made in 2018- you have large icons( bottom left). In 2018 you need magnifying glass to know which one is which.
Currently running inventor pro 2018. Window7 machine. Upgrade was from 2016 to 2018. Clearly not working so it is an idea because I like this way. I don't want to click million times, browse or copy paste. This way works fine for other people, I like right click and open. Why to have it if does nothing Now? I can't use it and Now have even more reasons to hate Autodesk products.

[Curtis_Waguespack]

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@autodesk-MM wrote:
Those presentations are not made in 2018- you have large icons( bottom left). In 2018 you need magnifying glass to know which one is which.
Currently running inventor pro 2018. Window7 machine. Upgrade was from 2016 to 2018. Clearly not working so it is an idea because I like this way. I don't want to click million times, browse or copy paste. This way works fine for other people, I like right click and open. Why to have it if does nothing Now? I can't use it and Now have even more reasons to hate Autodesk products.

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Hi michalmierzynski,

You're correct, I'm currently running Inventor 2017 on this machine. I was just trying to share with you another option that many users do not know exists.

My point about the idea, is that we typically want to wait until we find out what is going on with the issue before creating an idea request, but since you already did, I provided the link here for others to find, click, and add support to your idea, assuming that it's valid once we get an answer to why this behavior changed. 

We get that you're not happy, and that you don't want to do this any other way than what you've done in the past. We're all here just trying to help. Some were trying to help others understand the workflow, others offering suggestions to you just in case this method of surfing folders is gone for good starting with Inventor 2018. I hope that's not the case, but if it is and there is a reason that it can't be brought back, you'll need to put your "big boy pants on" and find another way to get around your folder structure. 

I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Michael,

Please be patient. We are trying to help by understanding the workflow better, since it is a little bit different than what I understood. There was probably misunderstanding with the information you have given.

There is nothing wrong with the workflow you are using. I have tried all Inventor releases I have on my machine, they all behave the same as shown in Ray's video. I have tried our competitors and none of the systems behave the way you wanted. Then I tried AutoCAD. It does behave exactly like you wanted. I guess you probably saw the behavior in AutoCAD before, leading to the assumption that Inventor would work the same.

Many thanks!

[autodesk-MM]

Good morning,

Thank you for your ideas.

I have tried once again this morning and can confirm it is not working on my machine also asked two colleagues and they confirmed it is not working on theirs. Maybe coincidence. 

Actually I don't really use AutoCad and trying to avoid this software like an Egyptian plague hehe. I have tried though and can confirm right click-open is working in AutoCad 2018. Next week, software guy is coming and will have some updates. Maybe that will help. Last month Windows update have made the inventor running extremely slow. Maybe  its one of those...