Tube & Pipe Automation

[niranjan_addagatla]

Hi,

I am trying to automate the Tube & Pipe but I couldn't find the API. Could anyone help me to customize Tube & Pipe tool with vb.net.

Thanks.

[WCrihfield · Accepted solution]

Hi @niranjan_addagatla.  I honestly do not use the Tube & Pipe tools (so far) where I work, but I do know that they those tools are added to Inventor as an add-in (ApplicationAddIn), not as part of the main/core Inventor application.  As far as I know, the only way to get into those tools is through an AssemblyDocument (not through a part or drawing), and then through its AssemblyComponentDefinition using its AssemblyComponentDefinition.BIMComponent property, as the entry way.  That property returns a BIMComponent object.  Then you just keep digging deeper from there.  This same area is also used for the 'Cable & Harness' stuff also.  Because, when you go to the Tools tab, then click on the Add-Ins button (in the Options panel), then while the Applications tab is active, scroll down to where you see "Routed Systems: Cable & Harness" and "Routed Systems: Tube & Pipe".  Both their names start with "Routed Systems", even though both show a different DLL file in the 'Location' box.  I do not know if those two add-ins have their own 'API' (automation access for users), like the iLogic add-in does, but I highly doubt it.

[niranjan_addagatla]

Thanks for the response, valuable information and your time.

[niranjan_addagatla]

@WCrihfield, Thanks for the response, valuable information and your time.

[A.Acheson · Accepted solution]

Hi @niranjan_addagatla 

As @WCrihfield suggests the API does not exist. So you won't be able to automate the core functions but you can do little bits using the command buttons and send keys. An example would be to import the styles, works 75 % except for a final load requiring a manual access to the dialog. Another example would be to partually preset authoring data to eliminate the manual steps. 

What are the keys things you were looking to automate?