Addin .net version and iLogic.Interfaces.

[awatt]

I've attempted to convert an addin from 2018 to 2020. It's been a nightmare.

(visual studio 2019)

I believe some of the problem is .net framework version.  The template sets it to v4.5, but the Autodesk.iLogic.Interfaces.dll is version 24.0.16800 and needs .net 4.7.  I've tried raising the .net version of the project, but the final addin won't load.

What to do?

(and a small vent - I find the Inventor version / VS version / .net version situation would best be described as slapstick if only it didn't have such a measurable negative impact on my productivity.)

[Martin-Winkler-Consulting · Accepted solution]

@awatt 

Use .Net Framework 4.7.2 or higher.

https://support.microsoft.com/de-de/help/4503548/microsoft-net-framework-4-8-offline-installer-for-w...

If that doesn't help, please give more information.

[etaCAD]

Did you check in the debugger at which position the loading of your add-in stops?

Maybe there is also a peoblem with your .addin file when you changed to another version of Inventor.

[awatt]

Is that possible with the freebie VS?

I attached to the inventor.exe process, but I don't see anything happen in the 'diagnostic tools' when I attempt to reload the addin.

[Martin-Winkler-Consulting]

@awatt 

Yes debugging is possible.

Could you upload the .addin file?

[awatt]

I'm not sure if the last message made it through. . .

[awatt · Accepted solution]

I think my greatest sin is the .dll file contains spaces and hyphens, while the .addin file replaces those characters with underscore.

[Martin-Winkler-Consulting · Accepted solution]

<Addin Type="Standard">
  <!--Created for Autodesk Inventor Version 24.0-->
  <ClassId>{c4ce4c3b-1542-45c3-96c0-3c4e3bdefca0}</ClassId>
  <ClientId>{c4ce4c3b-1542-45c3-96c0-3c4e3bdefca0}</ClientId>
  <DisplayName>Vac_Con_Inventor_2020_addin</DisplayName>
  <Description>Vac_Con_Inventor_2020_addin</Description>
  <Assembly>Vac_Con_Inventor_2020_addin.dll</Assembly>
  <LoadOnStartUp>1</LoadOnStartUp>
  <UserUnloadable>1</UserUnloadable>
  <Hidden>0</Hidden>
  <SupportedSoftwareVersionGreaterThan>23..</SupportedSoftwareVersionGreaterThan>
  <DataVersion>1</DataVersion>
  <UserInterfaceVersion>1</UserInterfaceVersion>
</Addin>

Where is the Vac-Con Inventor 2020 addin.dll located?

Try a full path in Line 

<Assembly>Vac_Con_Inventor_2020_addin.dll</Assembly>

C:/ProgramData/Autodesk/ApplicationPlugins/Vac-Con Inventor 2020 addin.dll 

and save the dll to this path

Rename Autodesk.Vac-Con Inventor 2020 addin.Inventor.addin to Vac-Con Inventor 2020.addin and save it also to the path: C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins

[etaCAD]

With Visual Studio 2019 you can easily debug when you add Inventor.exe to the external program in the Debug-tab in your project settings. You don't need to 'cheat'  anymore as with the Express versions.

Before starting the debugger you should first check with the Add-in-Manager if you app is listed and shows the correct path to your dll. If not, check and fix your .addin file. Otherwise debugging is useless because your dll will never be loaded from Inventor.