To manage add-ins in Autodesk Inventor, including enabling or disabling them for the current session and future startups, you use the Add-in Manager dialog box.
Understanding Add-ins in Inventor
Add-ins are powerful tools or modules that extend the functionality of Autodesk Inventor. They can provide specialized features, integrations with other software, or automate repetitive tasks. To use an add-in, it must first be installed (usually through a separate installation process) and then loaded within Inventor. Managing add-ins allows you to control which ones are active and when they become active.
Steps to Manage Add-ins in Autodesk Inventor
The primary method for controlling which add-ins are active in Inventor involves using the built-in Add-in Manager. Here's how:
- In Autodesk Inventor, on the ribbon, click Tools tab Options panel Add-ins.
- In the Add-in Manager dialog box that appears, locate the add-in name in the list. Double-click the name to switch between the following states:
- Loaded and Unloaded (controls whether the add-in is active in the current Inventor session).
- Startup/Loaded and Startup/Unloaded (controls whether the add-in is loaded automatically each time Inventor starts).
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the Add-in Manager.
Navigating the Add-in Manager
The Add-in Manager dialog box lists all detected add-ins. Each add-in typically shows its name, publisher, and its current status regarding loading and startup behavior.
Controlling Add-in Behavior
You can configure two main behaviors for each add-in in the list:
- Loading: Determines if the add-in is currently active in your open Inventor session.
- Loaded: The add-in's functionality is available now.
- Unloaded: The add-in's functionality is not available in the current session.
- Startup: Determines if the add-in loads automatically when you launch Inventor.
- Startup/Loaded: The add-in will automatically load every time Inventor starts.
- Startup/Unloaded: The add-in will not automatically load when Inventor starts.
You can control these behaviors independently. For example, you might load an add-in for the current session only (Loaded without Startup/Loaded) if you only need it for a specific task, or you might set it to Startup/Loaded if you use it frequently.
Here's a simple summary of the states you can toggle between by double-clicking:
| Current State | Double-click Action | New State(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unloaded | Double-click add-in | Loaded | Loads for current session only. |
| Loaded | Double-click add-in | Unloaded | Unloads for current session. |
| Startup/Unloaded | Double-click add-in | Startup/Loaded | Loads automatically upon startup. |
| Startup/Loaded | Double-click add-in | Startup/Unloaded | Does not load automatically upon startup. |
Note: The exact label might combine Loaded/Unloaded with Startup/Loaded/Unloaded depending on which state is currently active.
Why Manage Add-ins?
Managing your add-ins is beneficial for several reasons:
- Performance: Loading only the add-ins you frequently use can improve Inventor's startup time and overall performance.
- Troubleshooting: Disabling add-ins can help isolate issues if Inventor is behaving unexpectedly.
- Accessing Features: Ensuring a specific add-in is Loaded makes its tools and commands available in the Inventor interface.
By following these steps, you can effectively control which add-ins are active in your Autodesk Inventor environment, tailoring the software to your specific workflow needs.
