VaultInventorServer STEP export from ASSEMBLY results in empty file

[ampersanddevelopment]

We use VaultInventorServer to generate STEP files in Vault.
This works fine for PART files, but results in almost empty stp files when used with ASSEMBLY files.

When i run similar code as VBA in Inventor the results are ok.

It seems to me bug in the VaultInventorServer with the translator extension for step files.

// Rendition STP
private void ExecuteStp(
    InventorServer inv,
    Document doc,
    string sourceFile)
{
    // define file name
    var fileName = sourceFile + ".stp";

    // initialize translator
    TranslatorAddIn translator = inv.ApplicationAddIns.ItemById["{90AF7F40-0C01-11D5-8E83-0010B541CD80}"] as TranslatorAddIn;

    TranslationContext transContext = inv.TransientObjects.CreateTranslationContext();
    transContext.Type = IOMechanismEnum.kFileBrowseIOMechanism;

    DataMedium transData = inv.TransientObjects.CreateDataMedium();
    transData.FileName = fileName;

    NameValueMap transOptions = inv.TransientObjects.CreateNameValueMap();

    if (translator.HasSaveCopyAsOptions[doc, transContext, transOptions] == true)
    {
        transOptions.Value["ApplicationProtocolType"] = 3;
    }

    // export to file
    translator.SaveCopyAs(doc, transContext, transOptions, transData);
}

[Markus.Koechl · Accepted solution]

Did you check that all assembly components are downloaded before the export starts? I posted a full coded sample job that successfully creates STEP files from parts and assemblies and attaches the outcome as design representation files in Vault (https://github.com/koechlm/Vault-Sample---InventorExportAnySampleJob). I hope this sample helps to identify the issue that you are facing.

[peteh]

Is Inventor Server the same as Inventor Apprentice?

[Markus.Koechl]

Apprentice is a subset of the Inventor API shared by the Design Tracking application. It is an ActiveX component; the primary target is managing file references and properties. InventorServer is an Inventor application without a user interface and graphic screen; its primary target is to provide full automation capabilities for other applications, e.g., batch publishing or design automation. It is NOT available as a separate installable rather than part of other applications. Vault includes Inventor Server to support Job Processor tasks and creates a "VaultInventorServer" process at the runtime of a job if needed.

[peteh]

Thank you - that answers my question.

[d.peskin]

Does Apprentice support PDF-Export from IPT/IAM files?

I've used it for IDW to PDF export, but if I try the same translator.SaveCopyAs(document, context, options, dataMedium) method on IPT files, I get COMException (0x80004005)

[Markus.Koechl]

Hi @d.peskin, may I ask you to clarify your objective and environment first? This thread is about exporting STEP files using VaultInventorServer in a custom job.

If your export target is 3D PDF, please create a new thread.  3D PDF Export (Anark AddIn) is available in Inventor only.

[d.peskin]

Thank you for the answer,

we have a C# Add-In what runs on the JobServer and uses InventorServer or Inventor depending on configuration.

With a full Inventor version we can create (plain) PDF, STEP and DXF documents from IDW, IPT and IAM files.

If our application uses InventorServer  object, IPT/IAM->STEP and IDW->PDF exports work perfectly, but  IPT/IAM->PDF fails. We use same code for all formats.

                dynamic context = Management.Instance.InventorApp.TransientObjects.CreateTranslationContext();
                context.Type = IOMechanismEnum.kFileBrowseIOMechanism;

                AITlog.Debug(" :: InventorPlotter:ExportNeutralFormat :: Translator-context set");

                NameValueMap options = Management.Instance.InventorApp.TransientObjects.CreateNameValueMap();
                dynamic dataMedium = Management.Instance.InventorApp.TransientObjects.CreateDataMedium();
                dynamic translator = (TranslatorAddIn)Management.Instance.InventorApp.ApplicationAddIns.ItemById[GetTranslationAddinIdByDocumentType(documentSettings.NeutralFormat)];
                if (!translator.Activated)
                {
                    translator.Activate();
                }
...
                    translator.SaveCopyAs(document, context, options, dataMedium);

[Markus.Koechl]

As mentioned in the thread earlier, 3D PDF export requires full Inventor and is unavailable for running jobs on VaultInventorServer.