Streamlining Autodesk Add-In Dev: A New Template for the Self-Taught

Creating Autodesk Inventor add-ins can be a daunting task, particularly for engineers and developers who are self-taught or focused on using iLogic rather than diving deeply into coding. Traditional add-in templates for Autodesk Inventor often come with layers of complexity that, while powerful, can be overkill for developers looking to solve specific, practical challenges. For myself almost 15 years ago, I fell into this group having had some development experience through my engineering degree creating macros for Excel. I still remember thinking “I wonder if Autodesk supports VBA?” and that’s where it started.

There are many nuance aspects to development, while seemingly obvious to the degree toting computer scientists among us, can escape the common power user looking to take that next step. So I’m rethinking this development process and how can we make a simpler, modernized Autodesk Inventor add-in template targeted towards iLogic users and self-taught engineers.

This new template is inspired by existing options like the classic Nifty add-in template but seeks to streamline the experience, focusing on making it easier to set up, launch, and use. To automate and simplify ribbon button creation, create the installer for your work, allow the developer to “late bind” when working out the logic behind the program and then compile into the distributable add-in with a simple click from a drop down menu.

By reducing the complexity that can often get in the way, we aim to provide developers with a user-friendly foundation that supports fast customization and straightforward functionality. My vision is for this template to become a go-to starting point for engineers and developers who are looking to extend Autodesk Inventor’s capabilities without needing to navigate layers of coding intricacies. With this approach, users can focus on enhancing design and engineering workflows rather than getting bogged down by extensive back end development details.

I’m excited to see how this template will support the iLogic and self-taught engineering community. This project is very much in the development phase, and I’d like to extend an open invitation to anyone who would like to collaborate or offer feedback. If you’re interested in contributing ideas, testing early versions, or sharing insights from your own experience, please feel free to reach out at andrew@mercuryopt.com. Your input could help shape a tool that makes Autodesk Inventor development more accessible for engineers everywhere.