inventor-kit

IDW saved 2D display opens in the Viewer by default (partial support): Python API and Viewer.

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Read Autodesk Inventor document metadata and saved part geometry with a Rust parser and a Python API. Supported geometry can be converted to cq_acis.AcisModel and CadQuery objects. Runtime use does not require network access, Inventor, Windows, or user-provided schemas.

IPT → CFB / RSe → saved SAB / ASM → acis-core → AcisModel → CadQuery
IAM → saved references and placements → local part resolution → CadQuery Assembly

The parser supports a limited set of validated format profiles. It does not determine the current Model State, reevaluate feature history, or approximate unsupported geometry.

v0.4.0 adds body selection and IPT/IAM batch conversion.

v0.5.0 adds IDW sheet inventories and JSON reports, and per-sheet SVG export. See the release notes for supported drawing profiles, line styles and platform checks. Drawing support remains experimental and partial; physical scale and native rendering equivalence are unverified.

Installation

Requires Python 3.11 or later, cq-acis>=0.3.8,<0.4, and shared model API 2. Where compatible published wheels are available, install with:

python -m pip install inventor-kit

Source builds use Rust 1.93, maturin, and acis-core / acis-py-bridge 0.3.8 from crates.io. See the development guide and release requirements.

Reading parts

import inventor_kit as ik
import cadquery as cq

doc = ik.read_file("part.ipt")
print(doc.summary["status"], doc.summary["diagnostics"])
if doc.model is not None:
    shape = doc.to_cadquery()  # Raises for unsupported surfaces, trims, etc.
    cq.exporters.export(shape, "part.step")

For metadata alone, use inspect_file, which does not import the Python geometry modules.

info = ik.inspect_file("part.ipt").metadata
for prop in info.find_properties(semantic_name="part_number"):
    print(prop.value, prop.source.stream, prop.state_binding)

python -m inventor_kit part.ipt
python -m inventor_kit part.ipt --step part.step
python -m inventor_kit drawing.idw --metadata-only
python -m inventor_kit part.ipt --list-candidates

For local visual inspection of parts and saved assemblies, install the optional viewer.

python -m pip install 'inventor-kit[viewer]'
python -m inventor_kit.viewer part.ipt

Model: NIST CTC 03 (saved geometry).

Reading assemblies

assembly = ik.read_assembly_file("assembly.iam", search_roots=["parts"])
converted = assembly.to_cadquery(allow_unverified_state=True, allow_partial=True)
print(converted.omissions, converted.reference_issues)
report = converted.export_step("assembly.step", allow_partial=True)

Using saved placements requires explicit opt-in. Missing parts and unsupported geometry remain recorded in the result. Because the current state is unverified, complete is False. Assembly STEP export refuses to overwrite existing files and writes provenance and omission details to an accompanying JSON report.

Limits and supported scope

limits = ik.Limits(max_file_bytes=32 * 1024 * 1024, max_candidates=16)
doc = ik.read_file("part.ipt", limits=limits)
print(ik.capabilities())

Limits can be lowered per document. They do not guarantee bounds on process memory, runtime, or OCCT computation. See the API guide for defaults, diagnostics, and saved candidate selection.

From 0.3.0, new material is source-available under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0, with commercial Internal/OEM licenses from UnRobotics Inc. See licensing for earlier MIT rights and permitted uses. See THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md for third-party notices. Public samples are validated against pinned hashes and sources; the CAD files themselves are excluded from distribution packages.

Required Notice: inventor-kit is licensed by UnRobotics Inc. (https://www.un-robotics.com/).

Required Notice: inventor-kit 0.3.0 and later offer new material under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0; separate commercial licenses are available.