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Lost my Custom Properties - Drawing option

llorden4
Collaborator

Lost my Custom Properties - Drawing option

llorden4
Collaborator
Collaborator

In release 2016 there was an option to link text to Custom iProperties, now on 2018 that feature has been removed from my text command bar.  I haven't had any luck with searches so here's a post asking how I'm supposed to access that feature?

 

Titles blocks that I have migrated from 2016 to 2018 still correctly function with the link, I am just no longer able to edit or create such links now anywhere in the Drawing file.  Where'd it go or what's the replacement feature, I need it?!

Autodesk Inventor Certified Professional
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JaneFan
Autodesk
Autodesk

Hi @llorden4

 

It doesn't show in the list if there is no custom properties in your drawing file. Please add a custom property into your drawing file, then check the items in text list.

3.png




Jane Fan
Inventor QA Engineer
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llorden4
Collaborator
Collaborator

Was the first thing I checked, I can assure you have LOTS of custom iProperties.

Autodesk Inventor Certified Professional
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llorden4
Collaborator
Collaborator

Video evidence...

Autodesk Inventor Certified Professional
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llorden4
Collaborator
Collaborator

Getting a bit desperate here, I'm late delivering on updates because of this issue, could use a bit of help here!

Autodesk Inventor Certified Professional
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llorden4
Collaborator
Collaborator

Desperation required using 2016 Inventor to solve the Title block iProperty links and migrating the result to 2018.  Eagerly awaiting a permanent solution!

Autodesk Inventor Certified Professional
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bradeneuropeArthur
Mentor
Mentor

What if you use a 2018 template?

If it works, then this has to do with a migration problem or bug.

Please let me know the result.

 

Regards,

Autodesk Software: Inventor Professional 2018 | Vault Professional 2018 | Autocad Mechanical 2018
Programming Skills: Vba | Vb.net (Add ins Vault / Inventor, Applications) | I-logic
Dimension Component! | Partlist Export! | Derive I-properties! | Vault Prompts Via API! | Vault Handbook/Manual!
Drawing Toggle Sheets! | Vault Defer Update!

! For administrative reasons, please mark a "Solution as solved" when the issue is solved !

Regards,

Arthur Knoors

Autodesk Affiliations:

Autodesk Software:Inventor Professional 2025 | Vault Professional 2024 | Autocad Mechanical 2024
Programming Skills:Vba | Vb.net (Add ins Vault / Inventor, Applications) | I-logic
Programming Examples:Drawing List!|Toggle Drawing Sheet!|Workplane Resize!|Drawing View Locker!|Multi Sheet to Mono Sheet!|Drawing Weld Symbols!|Drawing View Label Align!|Open From Balloon!|Model State Lock!
Posts and Ideas:Dimension Component!|Partlist Export!|Derive I-properties!|Vault Prompts Via API!|Vault Handbook/Manual!|Drawing Toggle Sheets!|Vault Defer Update!


! For administrative reasons, please mark a "Solution as solved" when the issue is solved !

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llorden4
Collaborator
Collaborator

@bradeneuropeArthur wrote:

What if you use a 2018 template?

If it works, then this has to do with a migration problem or bug.

Please let me know the result.

 

Regards,

Autodesk Software: Inventor Professional 2018 | Vault Professional 2018 | Autocad Mechanical 2018
Programming Skills: Vba | Vb.net (Add ins Vault / Inventor, Applications) | I-logic
Dimension Component! | Partlist Export! | Derive I-properties! | Vault Prompts Via API! | Vault Handbook/Manual!
Drawing Toggle Sheets! | Vault Defer Update!

! For administrative reasons, please mark a "Solution as solved" when the issue is solved !


That's it, standard 2018 blank template allows the link option.  Hopefully you can find a fix so I don't have to completely redo all my title blocks.  Good luck!

Autodesk Inventor Certified Professional
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bradeneuropeArthur
Mentor
Mentor

Good to know that the problem is template related, and migration related.

That is already a step further, isn't it?

 

Is it possible that you share the dwg template (With the problem in it) with us?

I only than can take a look at it.

 

Regards,

Regards,

Arthur Knoors

Autodesk Affiliations:

Autodesk Software:Inventor Professional 2025 | Vault Professional 2024 | Autocad Mechanical 2024
Programming Skills:Vba | Vb.net (Add ins Vault / Inventor, Applications) | I-logic
Programming Examples:Drawing List!|Toggle Drawing Sheet!|Workplane Resize!|Drawing View Locker!|Multi Sheet to Mono Sheet!|Drawing Weld Symbols!|Drawing View Label Align!|Open From Balloon!|Model State Lock!
Posts and Ideas:Dimension Component!|Partlist Export!|Derive I-properties!|Vault Prompts Via API!|Vault Handbook/Manual!|Drawing Toggle Sheets!|Vault Defer Update!


! For administrative reasons, please mark a "Solution as solved" when the issue is solved !

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llorden4
Collaborator
Collaborator

I made an interesting discovery today while prepping the file to transfer to you for testing.  I discovered that if I "Open" the template file directly that the Custom Properties - Drawing feature is available.  However, if I use the "New" option on the Inventor Home/Dashboard and select the paper drawing then I don't get the feature.  I can't say if that makes the migration issue a mute point, likely a combination thereof.

Autodesk Inventor Certified Professional
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bradeneuropeArthur
Mentor
Mentor

Hi,

 

Are the drawing templates migrated correctly?

because it seems that the migration process is done at the moment you create a new drawing.

try this:

make a new drawing file.

then via file "save as template" button. and save it to the template location.

then create a new drawing from this template.

 

let me know if it has the same behavior or not.

 

regards

Regards,

Arthur Knoors

Autodesk Affiliations:

Autodesk Software:Inventor Professional 2025 | Vault Professional 2024 | Autocad Mechanical 2024
Programming Skills:Vba | Vb.net (Add ins Vault / Inventor, Applications) | I-logic
Programming Examples:Drawing List!|Toggle Drawing Sheet!|Workplane Resize!|Drawing View Locker!|Multi Sheet to Mono Sheet!|Drawing Weld Symbols!|Drawing View Label Align!|Open From Balloon!|Model State Lock!
Posts and Ideas:Dimension Component!|Partlist Export!|Derive I-properties!|Vault Prompts Via API!|Vault Handbook/Manual!|Drawing Toggle Sheets!|Vault Defer Update!


! For administrative reasons, please mark a "Solution as solved" when the issue is solved !

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llorden4
Collaborator
Collaborator

That process to "Save copy as Template" is the standard process that I use to create a new or updated template.

Autodesk Inventor Certified Professional
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bradeneuropeArthur
Mentor
Mentor

Could you send an example of the template not working correctly?

Regards,

Arthur Knoors

Autodesk Affiliations:

Autodesk Software:Inventor Professional 2025 | Vault Professional 2024 | Autocad Mechanical 2024
Programming Skills:Vba | Vb.net (Add ins Vault / Inventor, Applications) | I-logic
Programming Examples:Drawing List!|Toggle Drawing Sheet!|Workplane Resize!|Drawing View Locker!|Multi Sheet to Mono Sheet!|Drawing Weld Symbols!|Drawing View Label Align!|Open From Balloon!|Model State Lock!
Posts and Ideas:Dimension Component!|Partlist Export!|Derive I-properties!|Vault Prompts Via API!|Vault Handbook/Manual!|Drawing Toggle Sheets!|Vault Defer Update!


! For administrative reasons, please mark a "Solution as solved" when the issue is solved !

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llorden4
Collaborator
Collaborator

@bradeneuropeArthur wrote:

Could you send an example of the template not working correctly?


Look back at message #10 for that file.

 

I made another attempt to "Save copy as Template" and still had the same results.  Attached a video of the results, both opening and new options.

 

Autodesk Inventor Certified Professional
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JamieVJohnson2
Collaborator
Collaborator

I can confirm these findings:

Open test.idw in 2019, save (migrated) close

Open new template, select test.idw as template file.

Text on sheet 1 does not have category "Custom Properties - Drawing"

Text in Titleblock definition does not have category

SAVE new file as Sabre Standard.idw

Text on sheet 1 DOES have category

Text in Titleblock definition does have category.

 

I repeated this twice to be sure.

The category is being added after the document is saved, and not before (from a new document).  Meaning the sub routine that checks to see if there are Custom Properties in the Drawing is only being run when the document is saved, not when it is opened.  Sounds like defer update behavior, which is NOT checked.

 

jvj

llorden4
Collaborator
Collaborator

FYI, this is also affecting my ability to access via Sketch Symbols so be sure to test an update in this feature as well.

 

Any chance of a hot fix or update coming out for this anytime soon?  I've got a lot of title block updates I need doing and this loss of functionality really hurts.

Autodesk Inventor Certified Professional
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rhasell
Advisor
Advisor

Hi

I might have fix.

  • Open your template, I used the Test.idw you published.
  • Expand the Drawing resources, Title Blocks.
  • Right click, and Copy the Title block

Create a new Blank Drawing, Not using the title block (I think the problem is in the drawing file, not the title block)

So use one of the default templates if needed. (\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Inventor 2019\Templates\)

  • Right Click on the Drawing Resources
  • Select Paste

Do the same for the Border, Copy and paste.

Cleanup and If needed delete any other unwanted items

Forgot to add, Transfer and custom properties

Save as a new template.

Fixed.

 

Reg
2025.2
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llorden4
Collaborator
Collaborator

A follow up on this topic...

 

I have found that starting a NEW file and selecting this template prevents access to the Custom iProperties option.  However, if I use the OPEN command instead I am able to access without issue.

Autodesk Inventor Certified Professional
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llorden4
Collaborator
Collaborator

This issue persists into release 2022.  Would love to see this fixed.  I do not want to have to recreate templates from scratch with each new release just to avoid this issue.

Autodesk Inventor Certified Professional