Create Inventor App using only free tools (for internal use)

[amarcoc]

Hi.

I created some iLogic and VBA macros already, but now I want to make a installable tool with all-in-one.

I am thinking on porting everything I created to an installable app, for install only on Company computers. I dont want to publish tools to Autodesk App Store.

I have the necessary programming skills.

What I want to know is what free tools are avaiable to use. What will I need?

Thanks in advance.

[AlexFielder · Accepted solution]

You'll need to check the licensing terms, but Visual Studio Community is "free" in certain circumstances.

Failing that, it's technically possible to build an add-in using Visual Studio Code which is actually free - although I don't know the steps exactly because I've never tried it.

[HermJan.Otterman · Accepted solution]

With that Visual Studio, install VB, and than you can create an addin for inventor:

http://help.autodesk.com/view/INVNTOR/2018/ENU/?guid=GUID-52422162-1784-4E8F-B495-CDB7BE9987AB

that addin (.dll) can be copied to every inventor workstation in you company

[amarcoc]

I thought Visual Studio was paid. I have just confirmed Community is free.

And I also fount this topic: 

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-customization/check-out-the-self-paced-guide-my-first-plug-i...

So, I believe its solved. Thanks!

[AlexFielder]

That article is a great starting point for your first add-in- I used it myself back in the day.

However, this post by @ekinsb runs through the steps necessary to use the SDK Add-in "Wizard" available with Inventor 2019:

https://ekinssolutions.com/addins-visualstudio2017/

I currently have Inventor 2019 and Visual Studio 2017 installed on Windows 7 but am not using the wizard.

Suffice it to say that the wizard needs an update.