Select the added reference in Visual Studio and view its properties panel. Set Embed Interop Types to True (or False if you require strict type checking or deploy legacy add-ins).
The most notorious issue: failing to release COM references properly leads to Inventor processes not closing after your app finishes. The interop doesn’t auto-manage this. You’ll find yourself writing defensive code like:
Right-click in the Solution Explorer and select Add Reference . autodesk.inventor.interop.dll
What you are using (e.g., C#, VB.NET, C++).
: It acts as a wrapper that allows managed .NET code to communicate with Inventor’s underlying COM-based object model. Select the added reference in Visual Studio and
If you're doing any kind of .NET development with Autodesk Inventor—whether it's an add-in, standalone application, or automation script—you’ve likely encountered Autodesk.Inventor.Interop.dll . This assembly serves as the primary interop layer between managed (.NET) code and Inventor's native COM API.
Understanding and Utilizing Autodesk.Inventor.Interop.dll for Automation The interop doesn’t auto-manage this
catch
Place components inside a 3D space, constrain them relative to one another, and export a structured Bill of Materials (BOM) for manufacturing. Where to Find the DLL
If you are a developer and cannot find the DLL in the COM reference tab of Visual Studio, you should manually browse to this path and add the file directly to your project's references.