Inventor Read-only Mode

[Raider_71]

Hi I just want to check on something. We have heard that Autodesk is clamping down on people using trial software for commercial gain. That makes sense and I understand that it should be limited for testing purposes. Now in the case of "Inventor Read-only Mode", the only way to install it and use it is by installing a trial version of Inventor correct?

If I own and use Inventor in my design office, can I legally use Inventor Read-only Mode (installed alongside an Inventor trial version) in other departments in my company, to view the files my designers create using a licensed Inventor 2021?

[leowarren34]

Hi @Raider_71,

Inventor Read-Only mode doesn't consume a license - meaning anyone can use it even if they don't have an Inventor License. You are correct in that it does install with the trial - something that should be a standalone install.

It would defeat the point of not needing a license to run Inventor View to then be caught up with not having a license. However, I have seen some people create cmd scripts to install just Inventor View however not for 2021 - https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/how-to-deploy-inventor-2020-read-only-viewer/td-p/8714...

[Raider_71]

Yeah, I am more concerned about the license agreement around the use of Inventor trial versions, in this case being installed to be used as Inventor Read-only. It seems that some users get contacted by Autodesk about this saying that it's illegal to use a trial for commercial gain.

[mdavis22569]

---

@Raider_71 wrote:

Yeah, I am more concerned about the license agreement around the use of Inventor trial versions, in this case being installed to be used as Inventor Read-only. It seems that some users get contacted by Autodesk about this saying that it's illegal to use a trial for commercial gain.

---

This is fully legal ... using the Read Only mode on computers all around the office. 

Revit has had this for a few years now.  

For:

Inventor trial versions, in this case being installed to be used as Inventor Read-only

Anyone can trial Inventor for 30 days ... then it converts to the Read only if they don't have a license.   You won't be contacted by Autodesk for doing this. 

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! Inventor View 2021 is still available for download. Here is the link.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/inventor/downloads/caas/downloads/content/inventor-apprentice...

Neither Inventor RO nor Inventor View requires a license to run. They are free viewers for Inventor files. But, Inventor RO can do much more than Inventor View. It can open any Inventor file (iam, ipt, idw, dwg, ide, ipn, and so on). It allows measurement. Drawings are always in sync with the model files. Most of the graphics View commands are available including section view.

Many thanks!