What’s New in the Autodesk Inventor 2026 API – Feature Highlights and Enhancements

<?xml encoding=”UTF-8″>by Chandra shekar Gopal,

Autodesk Inventor 2026 brings powerful new API capabilities that enhance automation, customization, and flexibility across modeling, documentation, and configuration workflows. Below is a curated index of recent blog posts that dive into these new API features with practical examples and technical guidance.

🔢 Index of Articles

1. Managing Model States Edit Scope in Autodesk Inventor 2026 API
2. The Relationship Between iProperties and Model States in Autodesk Inventor 2026 API
3. Introducing New API Support for the Simplify Feature in Autodesk Inventor 2026
4. Repositioning Detail View ID Tag in Autodesk Inventor 2026 API
5. Inventor Apprentice Server Enhancement in Inventor 2026
6. Autodesk Inventor 2026 API Now Supports IFC4x3 – Automate BIM Exports with VBA
7. Introducing Sketch-Based BreaksOperations for Drawings in Autodesk Inventor 2026 API
8. Adapting to Change: Inventor Design Automation 2026 Engine Moves to .NET 8

1. Managing Model States Edit Scope in Autodesk Inventor 2026 API

Inventor 2026 introduces write access to the ModelStatesInEdit property, offering precise control over which model states are editable. Combined with MemberEditScope, it enables flexible and scalable automation for variant design workflows.

• Use enums like kEditActiveMember and kEditMultipleMembers to define scope.
• Assign model states dynamically using VBA.

2. The Relationship Between iProperties and Model States in Autodesk Inventor 2026 API

This article explains how iProperties behave within individual model states, and how to use the API to access and modify these properties per state using PropertySets.

• Retrieve and write iProperties across variant configurations.
• Improve metadata control across model states programmatically.

3. Introducing New API Support for the Simplify Feature in Autodesk Inventor 2026

Inventor 2026 now exposes API support for the Simplify environment. Developers can automate simplification workflows for assemblies using a new object model SimplifyFeatures introduced under ComponentDefintion.Features.

•  Access and manipulate simplification options programmatically.
•  Enable workflows that reduce geometry while maintaining manufacturing fidelity.

4. Repositioning Detail View ID Tag in Autodesk Inventor 2026 API

Inventor 2026 introduces new methods to control the placement of ID tag labels in drawing Detail Views. This gives developers more flexibility in managing annotation layout.

• Modify tag position programmatically for better drawing clarity.
• Fine-tune annotations for large or crowded documentation layouts.

5. Inventor Apprentice Server Enhancement in Inventor 2026

The Apprentice Server is now registry-free in Inventor 2026. While this enhances deployment and reduces system conflicts, it also requires developers to register and reference the server differently.

• The built-in Apprentice Server is no longer COM-registered by default.
• For COM-based tools, install the standalone Apprentice Server 2026 and run ApprenticeRegSrv.exe /install.
• Update paths to reference the standalone installation rather than Inventor’s Bin folder.
• Developers should always register the correct version manually in multi-version environments.

6. Autodesk Inventor 2026 Now Supports IFC4x3 – Automate BIM Exports with VBA

Inventor 2026 adds support for the IFC4x3 standard. This post demonstrates how to automate IFC export workflows using VBA, helping developers integrate Inventor into modern BIM pipelines.

• Use the API to create and configure IFCExportOptions.
• Export part and assembly documents to IFC4x3 format.
• Automate naming, folder output, and classification during export.

7. Introducing Sketch-Based Breaks in Autodesk Inventor 2026 Drawings

Inventor 2026 enhances the drawing environment by allowing users to define sketch-based break lines through the API. This enables better control over views that need to exclude or condense geometry.

• Programmatically apply sketch-driven break definitions.
• Improve drawing clarity for long or repetitive components.

8. Adapting to Change: Inventor Design Automation 2026 Engine Moves to .NET 8

Inventor Design Automation has migrated to .NET 8. This blog outlines what’s changed, how to update your add-ins, and how to prepare for future compatibility in cloud-based design automation.

• Update your .csproj files to use .NET 8 SDK.
• Migrate .NET Framework dependencies like NLog.dll to .NET-compatible versions.
• Use the new NETCore.RuntimeVersion engine parameter to control runtime environments in Design Automation.

🏁 Conclusion

The Inventor 2026 release is packed with robust API improvements spanning model states, drawing automation, BIM support, and deployment architecture. These updates offer powerful capabilities for customizing Inventor and extending its use in enterprise, cloud, and industry-specific workflows.

For further examples, migration guidance, and ongoing updates—stay tuned to the Manufacturing DevBlog.