Why learn C++ API for Autodesk Inventor ?

C++ API for Inventor

I am curious to check if anybody is interested to learn/work on C++ API for Autodesk Inventor. Yes, for Inventor customization people may find Python / iLogic / VBA / VB.Net / C#.Net to be easier but in any case, someone is interested to learn Inventor Customization using C++, please drop me a WhatsApp message ( no call ) on +91 9222199457.

Why learn C++ API for Autodesk Inventor ?

Of course, this is a natural question that comes in your mind, and it should come.

Python / iLogic / VBA are easier to start with Inventor Automation, even .Net complaint languages like VB.Net & C#.Net are relatively quite easier that C++, then why should one spend much time and energy to learn C++ API for Inventor ? Particularly when most of the companies hire candidates for Inventor Customization look for your .Net skills and not C++.

There might be several answers and Autodesk may give more rigid answer to this question but here I would like to share my point of view. It depends on personal choice and your goal.

If you goal is short term and you are just looking for doing some quick automation on Inventor platform and get a job in CAD Customization domain, you should start with the easier one like Python / VBA / .Net. But if you are pursuing a long-term plan to work on CAD Development domain and one work in the CAD OEM companies like Autodesk, PTC, Dassault Systems , Siemens PLM etc. you may look in the C++ side of any CAD API , either its Inventor or AutoCAD or NX or CATIA any other CAD software.

C++ API for Inventor use COM technology and thus you must have or gain knowledge ?& skill on COM using C++ ( minimum client-side COM, server-side COM will be always a plus?).

In the process of learning COM, your C++ skill gets more stronger as well as if you are looking to work on CAA for CATIA Customization, even then also COM is a must.

I general one can have a short-term goal to learn Python / VBA / .Net to start the career in CAD Automation and customization but that does not mean that you can’t keep a long-term plan to learn / work on C++ for CAD Development.

Myself when worked in Inventor Customization , I had to use .Net in office and I kept learning Inventor API with C++ which have me better results in later stages of my career.

Those who have good skills in C++ but looking for learning COM , I can recommend two good courses in Pluralsight

https://app.pluralsight.com/library/courses/com-essentials/table-of-contents

https://app.pluralsight.com/library/courses/com-advanced-topics/table-of-contents

There is few other relevant courses on Udemy

https://www.udemy.com/course/mastering-computational-geometry-cpp/ - For computational geometry

https://www.udemy.com/course/learn-open-cascade-for-custom-3d-app-development/ - For geometric kernel programming with Open Cascade

On the other hand, if you are only a C#.Net developer and looking for learning C++ to upskill yourself to pursue your long-term plan to work on CAD Development in CAD OEMs, I have course just tailored for you. You don’t have to pursue a full C & C++ course, just learn concepts and skills in C++ which is either not present in C#.Net or different in C#.Net. But this course will assume that you already have a good hands-on skill on Object Oriented programming skills in C#.Net. I will not be touching upon basic concepts. I will be focusing more on Pointers and Pointer based data structures for CAD Development / Customization.

This course can be extended to cover client side and server-side COM, ActiveX Automation for CAD using C++, C++ API for Inventor / CATIA ( CAA ) / AutoCAD ( ObjectARX ) / NX ( NX Open ) etc., Computational Geometry using C++, CAD Development using Geometric Kernel using C++, Graphical User interface design using Win32/Win32++/ MFC/Qt with C++ etc. etc.

The content of the course can be customized depending on the interest of the participating candidates.

If you are a company and looking forward to train you employees into CAD Development / Customization / Automation, you can take befits of my tailored online courses just for your candidates skill requirements with focus on CAD Development / Customization / Automation.

Happy Learning