pdf-export doesn't work

[heikki.jalonen]

Good morning all!  This time I'm having an issue with PDF-EXPORT.  No export, no pdf.

Still stuck into Inventor 2017, but now re-installed in brand-new power workstation.

System Windows 10 Enterprise, version 21H2, pack 19044.1826.  In HP zBook 32G RAM

Issue concerns to DRAWING (2D output) environment.  When opening any drawing, the following errmsg appears:

Then, by hitting the PDF-Export tab (File/Export/PDF) comes the "Save As"-tab as usual.  And that's all, no more go.  "Options" tab is not greyed, but nothing happens when pressed.  And by "Save" no pdf, nothing.

And no, not the obvious.  C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Inventor 2017\Bin does have that very DWFOut.dll ...

Any ideas?  Tips, tricks?  Anyone familiar with that kind of issue?  Something to do with system setup (for drawings)?

Still having even my (rather dated) old PC running.  No problems, pdf-export works fine, never failed.  Both workstations share the same templates, working with the very same models/drawings/etc. Now, doing my job still with the old PC.  Just because the principal output format shall be pdf.  Pretty annoying, I'd say...

[mcgyvr]

How about a workaround? Simply load cutepdf writer and print to PDF. 

https://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp

I used that exclusively because Autodesks PDF export functionality was rather problematic in the past.

and if you want to try to fix Inventor maybe try the solution posted here regarding reloading Visual C++

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/inventor/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Canno...

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! How about running Inventor.exe as Admin (right-click on the Inventor desktop icon -> Properties -> Compatibility).

Many thanks!

[heikki.jalonen]

Thank you mcgyvr!  Could be a solution, must be considered.  Still wondering why having dysfunctional buttons here and there and over everywhere.

Actually, I think the system has won, once again.  Probably, the next step will be me taking a photo of the screen (with my phone) and sharing that image to those waiting for my [most immediate] output...  And in no time at all, I'll be sketching my humble drawings by an HB-pencil on the back of an empty **** box.  And that's what they call progress.  I doubt.

[heikki.jalonen]

Hi johnsonshiue! Thank you for your tip. Unfortunately, that very PC-workstation belongs to a major company fleet, with "high standard safety policies". So, no admin granted to me, an ordinary low-level drudge hand. I asked the service desk operator (with admins) also to try, no help.

My own workstation (which I do admin) has never shown this problem, well, others indeed...

[heikki.jalonen]

B'day all!  Still enjoying the issue.  No pdf export whatsoever.  Inventor (outdated 2017) re-installed, for the 5th (fifth) time, btw.  C++ reinstalled.  Zillions of dll's migrated all over.  All tampered.  No good.  New suggestions?

When starting, Inventor welcomes me with the following:

Crappy install, that's obvious.  But, how to fix?  What the heck that UI does?  Nothing but problerms?

Looks I'm not the only victim; is there anybody out there who actually has ironed this problem out?

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! I believe this is an install issue. Please completely uninstall Inventor and its components. Then disable Anti-Virus tool temporarily. Install Inventor again.

Many thanks!

[heikki.jalonen · Accepted solution]

Hi Johnson!  Thank you for the tip.  However, as I mentioned, this workstation (with problems) belongs to a major company fleet.  With full burden of "security policies".  Thus, no admins have been granted to me (just a worthless every day user only doing the "job").  Anything involved with installing/uninstalling/conf.fix or similar must be be performed by the Service Desk.  Now been waiting for two (2) weeks with my latest service request...  No response so far.  Enjoying Good Service, eh?

Fortunately, I have another PC running.  My own.  And absolutely not within the mentioned fleet domain.  Works fine, still having even the Inventor 2017 running flawlessly.  And also 2021.  And, even better, Solid Works 2022...

I remember the jolly old days!  We used to have applications which (mostly) just worked and we got our job done.  Bygone era, absolutely.  Now tilting at windmills, that endless flock of new "systems" and "improvements".  Leaving day-by-day less time to do what I'm paid for - which I believe still is priority #1.

[heikki.jalonen]

So, it looks the pdf-days are gone...  What next?