Publish DWF Files

The Publish DWF Files task automates publishing 3D DWG files from Autodesk Inventor models and 2D DWF files from Autodesk Inventor drawings. The options for 2D and 3D DWF files are different, so these file types are segregated in the file filters.

Use the Publish DWF Files task manager to translate Autodesk Inventor files (.ipt, .iam, .dwg, .idw, .ipn) into DWF format.

Select files only on the local computer.

 

Procedures

Translate files to DWF

  1. In the Autodesk Inventor Task Scheduler window, click Publish DWF Files.

    The information in the task list switches accordingly, and shows any Publish DWF Files tasks you saved previously.

  2. In the Autodesk Inventor Task Scheduler window, right-click and select Create Task Publish DWF Files.
  3. In the Publish DWF Files dialog box, specify the active Autodesk Inventor project, if applicable.
  4. Click Add Files or Add Folder. Specify the files or folder on your local computer for the task.

    In the Open dialog box, specify the files of type:

    • Autodesk Inventor Files (*.iam, *.ipt, *.ipn)
    • Autodesk Inventor 3D Files (*.iam, *.ipt, *.ipn)
    • Autodesk Inventor 3D Files (*.ipt)
    • Assembly Files (*.iam)
    • Drawing Files (*.idw, .dwg)
    • Part Files (*.ipt)

    The files and folders you select are listed in Input Folder and File Name columns.

    If your selection is a folder, to include subfolders, click the corresponding level of the Recursive column. To specify a different file type within the folder to include in the task, change the entry in the File Name column.

    If necessary, repeat the steps to add files and folders.

  5. In the Task Properties box, enter a task name and a time-out threshold.
  6. Specify a schedule, or select the Immediately option.
  7. In Log File, leave the check box selected for the default, or
    • Enter an existing folder and a file name to overwrite the default. If the log file does not exist, it is created.
    • Click Browse to find and select an existing file.
    • To specify no log file, clear the check box.
  8. Click Options.
  9. In the Publish Options dialog box, set the options to apply to the files in the task. If you do not set the options, a default set of options is used. Click OK.
  10. In the Publish DWF dialog box, click OK.
    NoteThe output file name is the input file name with the .dwf extension.

If it is the first task you create during the current session, the Authentication dialog box is displayed. Enter your Microsoft Windows login name and password.

The task is displayed in the task list. You can close the Autodesk Inventor Task Scheduler window. The task runs as scheduled.

 

References

Publish DWF files

Creates and edits tasks that translate Autodesk Inventor files (*.ipt, *.iam, *.idw, *.dwg, *.ipn) located on the local computer into DWF format.

Access:
 
  • In the Autodesk Inventor Task Scheduler main menu, click Create Task Publish DWF Files.
  • In the Autodesk Inventor Task Scheduler window, right-click and select Create Task Publish DWF Files.

Task box

 

Project

Specifies the active project.

 

Add Files

Displays the Open dialog box, where you can select files from the active project to add to the task.

 

Add Folder

Opens the Browse for Folder dialog box where you select a folder.

Includes subfolders if the corresponding level of the Recursive column is selected.

In the File Name column, the file type controls which file type within the folder to include in the task. Can be edited.

 

Delete

Deletes selections from the list of added files, folders, and projects.

 

Recursive

Indicates whether to include subfolders in the selection.

 

Input Folder

Lists the folders for the current task.

 

File Name

Specifies the file name or extension to identify the files within a folder to include in the task. You can change the file type only if you select a folder. A click in this cell reveals an arrow. Click the arrow for a list of available file types from which to choose.

 

Output Folder

Indicates the location of the published DWF files. A click in this cell reveals the browse command to display the Browse for Folder dialog box.

  Output File NameSpecifies the file name to apply to files within the output folder. You can use the default name, or enter a name.

Task Properties box

 

Task Name

Assigns a name to the task.

 

Frequency

Specifies how often to execute the task. Not available if the Immediately option is selected.

 

Time Out

Specifies the maximum time a task can run before it is terminated.

 

Immediately

Select to run a task immediately when you click OK. When you select Immediately, Frequency, Start Time, and Start Date are not available.

The Authentication dialog box is not displayed. Ownership of the task is not displayed in the task list. If you enable this task later to reuse it, the Authentication dialog box is displayed. You become the owner when you enter your Windows log in name and password.

 

Start Time

Specifies a time to start the task. Not available if the Immediately option is selected.

 

Start Date

Specifies a date to start the task. Not available if the Immediately option is selected.

 

Log File

Specifies whether to log this task. If selected, specifies the name of the log file folder. Use the default name and location, or browse to a different existing folder. If a specified log file does not exist in the selected folder, it is created.

Overrides the log file specified in the Task Scheduler window in Settings Options Log File Options.

 

Add time stamp to log file

Select to:

  • Add a time stamp to the log file
  • Create a log file each time you run a task.
  • If you schedule a task for a later time, the log file name is displayed in the Log File edit box. The report window shows a place holder without a hyperlink, as the log file is not created until you run the task.

When not selected, the behavior of the hyperlink remains unchanged.

Options

Opens the DWF Export Options dialog box where you specify options to apply to all files in the task.

Publish DWF Options

Specifies advanced options to apply to all files selected for a task that publishes DWF files.

Access:
 

In the Publish DWF files dialog box, select a file, and then click Options.

Part and Assembly Setting

Publish Component properties

Includes component properties in the published DWF files.

Publish Mass properties

Includes mass properties in the published DWF files.

Password protect published DWF file

Requires a password to read the published DWF files.

Drawing Setting

Current sheet only

Publishes only the current sheet.

All sheets in the Drawing

Publishes all sheets in the drawing.

 

Project Setting

Provides a list of the names and locations of your projects from which to select a project to include in the task you are creating.

Access:
 

In the Task Manager dialog box, click Add Project. Available in the Migrate Files, Update Design, Check Out of Vault, Check In to Vault, Get Latest from Vault, and Refresh Standard Components task managers.

New

Launches the Autodesk Inventor Project Wizard where you can create a new project.

Browse

Launches the Choose project file dialog box where you can browse to and select another project.

NoteOptions are also available from the context menu in the Project Setting dialog box.

Log files

Log files save the task processing information so you can understand how the task progressed.

Log file information common to any task type

  • In the Operations table:
    • Document Type Indicates the type of Autodesk Inventor document being migrated.
    • Document Name Specifies the name of the file that is being migrated.
    • Status Logs status of the operation, and reports if it succeeded or failed.
    • File Location Specifies the file location.
  • Task Summary Logs the number of files that have been processed for the current task, and the list of files that failed to process, along with their paths. If you see a failed file name listed, you can quickly copy the path and navigate to the file to investigate the cause of the failure.
  • Multiple Processes When you run multiple processes, the log file identifie each process uniquely when starting and closing them. For example:

    Started Inventor1 successfully

    Started Inventor2 successfully

  • Start Time Logs the system time when the task was started.
  • End Time Logs the system time when the task was completed.
  • Error messages common to any task type:

Error message

Recommended Action

Failed to open file using Apprentice Server.

Check the input files and verify the format of added files can be read by Autodesk Inventor, and run the task again.

Open and save the input files in Autodesk Inventor before you start the task.

File does not exist.

Verify the input files exist in the destination folder just before the task runs. The contents of the folder might have changed from the time the task was scheduled to the time the task started to run.

File has unresolved references.

Clear the option Skip files with resolved reference in the Migration or Update task before you run the task.

Open the input file in Autodesk Inventor to set the file references correctly, save the document, and then run the task again.

File is read-only.

Remove the read-only property of input files and run the task again.

Project does not exist.

Verify the activated project exists in the destination.

Log file information unique to task types:

Migrate Files, Update Design

Log interpretation information

  • Open Time in seconds (column 5).
  • Update Difference between the number of comatose (column 5) and sick (column 6) features before and after the update.
  • Rebuild Difference between the number of comatose (column 5) and sick (column 6) features before and after the rebuild all.
  • Check Difference in the volume from when it was opened up to the point after the update and rebuild are done (column 5).
  • Save Time in seconds and the difference in file size (byte) before and after save (column 6).
  • Close Time in seconds (column 5).

Operations results table Operation types lead the rows and operation results lead the columns. The header and footer mention the build number before and after migration:

Operation column Specifies the sequence of the various operations Task Scheduler performs to process the task.

  • Open Opens the file in a 'migrated to' version in Autodesk Inventor.
  • Update Updates the old file to the new Autodesk Inventor version. Regenerates only the geometry that has significant edits in memory. This could change the file size.
  • Check Checks for the mass properties before and after migration of the file.
  • Save Saves the file to the migrated version.
  • Close Closes the files after migration.
  • Purge Deletes the previous versions of the migrated file from the Old Version folder after the migration task ends

Failures and Recommended Solutions

Operation That Failed

Cause of Failure

Recommended Action

Open

Active security tools or applications.

Disable the security tools and applications and then rerun the task.

 

Other applications are running when you begin the task.

Close any applications which could terminate the Autodesk Inventor Task Scheduler process, and then run the task again.

 

Other unfinished operations are running in Autodesk Inventor when you begin the task.

Close Autodesk Inventor, verify there is no Autodesk Inventor process footprint left in the Task Manager, and then run the task again.

Update

Autodesk Inventor cannot update versions of files older than R6.

Verify your files are in a version of R6 or later so that they are current enough to be updated.

 

Autodesk Inventor failed to update the files.

Rebuild the failed files in Autodesk Inventor to get more information about the failure. In Migration options, check Total Rebuild, and then run the task again.

Check

Mass properties before and after migration do not match.

Open the files in Autodesk Inventor and save them to migrate to the current version or get more information about the error.

Save

Another process is running that may use the files being migrated.

Close all processes that may use the added files, and rerun the task.

 

Files are set to non-write status.

Set write permissions on the files.

 

Please use Rebuild instead of Update.

In the Migration options dialog box, select the Total Rebuild option, and then run the task again.

Close

Other unfinished operations are running in Autodesk Inventor when you begin the task.

Close Autodesk Inventor, verify there is no Autodesk Inventor process footprint left in the Task Manager, and then rerun the task.

Purge

Failure.

Purge the Old Versions folder manually after the migration task is finished.

Publish DWF Files, Export Files, Convert IDW to DWG

Operations results table Operation types lead the rows and operation results lead the columns:

Operation column Specifies the sequence of operations that Task Scheduler performs to process the task.

  • Get Translator Gets the appropriate translator in Autodesk Inventor based on the file type to prepare for translating the input file to a different output format.
  • Open Opens the file in the current version of Autodesk Inventor.
  • Export Translates the input file to the output format.
  • Close Closes the files after exporting.

Failures and Recommended Solutions

Operation That Failed

Cause of Failure

Recommended Action

Open

Active security tools or applications.

Disable the security tools and applications and then rerun the task.

 

Other unfinished operations are running in Autodesk Inventor when you begin the task.

Close Autodesk Inventor, verify there is no Autodesk Inventor process footprint left in the Task Manager, and then rerun the task.

Export

Failure.

Create an update task to rebuild the files, and then rerun the task.

Create a new export task to export the files again.

Close

Other unfinished operations are running in Autodesk Inventor when you begin the task.

Close Autodesk Inventor, verify there is no Autodesk Inventor process footprint left in the Task Manager, and run the task again.

Print Files

Operations results table Operation types lead the rows and operation results lead the columns:

Operation column Specifies the sequence of operations that are performed by Task Scheduler to publish the file.

  • Open Opens the file in the current version of Autodesk Inventor.
  • Get Manager Gets the appropriate Autodesk Inventor print manager API for printing the input documents.
  • Set Options Sets the print options and sends them to the selected printer.
  • Print Sends the input files to the selected printer and executes the print operation.
  • Close Closes the files after printing.

Failures and Recommended Solutions

Operation That Failed

Cause of Failure

Recommended Action

Open

Active security tools or applications.

Disable the security tools and applications and then rerun the task.

 

Other unfinished operations are running in Autodesk Inventor when you begin the task.

Close Autodesk Inventor, verify there is no Autodesk Inventor process footprint left in the Task Manager, and run the task again.

Get Manager

Autodesk Inventor installation problems.

Verify that Autodesk Inventor is installed and running properly, and then run the task again.

Set Options

Autodesk Inventor installation problems.

Verify that Autodesk Inventor is installed and running properly, and then run the task again.

Print

Printer problems can cause a failure.

Check the printer settings and connection.

Close

Other unfinished operations are running in Autodesk Inventor when you begin the task.

Close Autodesk Inventor, verify there is no Autodesk Inventor process footprint left in the Task Manager, and then rerun the task.

Import Files

Operations results table Operation types lead the rows and operation results lead the columns:

Operation column Specifies the sequence of operations that are performed by Task Scheduler to process the task.

  • Get Translator Gets the appropriate translator in Autodesk Inventor based on the file type to prepare for translating the input file to the output format.
  • Open Opens the file in the current version of Autodesk Inventor.
  • Import Translates the input file to the output format.
  • Close Closes the files after importing.

Failures and Recommended Solutions

Operation That Failed

Cause of Failure

Recommended Action

Get Translator

Translator add-in is not loaded.

Open Autodesk Inventor and verify you have the corresponding translator add-in loaded.

Open

Active security tools or applications.

Disable the security tools and applications and then run the task again.

 

Other unfinished operations are running in Autodesk Inventor when you begin the task.

Close Autodesk Inventor, verify there is no Autodesk Inventor process footprint left in the Task Manager, and then run the task again.

Import

Failure.

Verify that the files to import are compatible with the current version of Autodesk Inventor.

Close

Other unfinished operations are running in Autodesk Inventor when you begin the task.

Close Autodesk Inventor, verify there is no Autodesk Inventor process footprint left in the Task Manager, and then run the task again.

Check Out from Vault

Operations results table Operation types lead the rows and operation results lead the columns:

Operation column Specifies the sequence of operations that are performed by Task Scheduler to publish the file.

  • Check Out Checks the selected files out of the vault server to the local machine.

Failures and Recommended Solutions

Failures

Recommended Action

File already checked out. No operation performed

Check in the relevant data set before you run the check out task.

Undo check out.

Failed at child

Check the resolved reference of the added files.

Vault server error

Check the vault server, and restart it if necessary.

Failed to log in to the vault server.

Verify that the username and password are still valid to log into the vault server.

Check In to Vault

Operations results table Operation types lead the rows and operation results lead the columns:

Operation column Specifies the sequence of operations that are performed by Task Scheduler to publish the file.

  • Check In Checks the selected files into the vault server.

Status Logs status of the operation, and reports if it succeeded or failed.

Failures and Recommended Solutions

Failures

Recommended Action

File already checked in. No operation performed

Check out the relevant data set before you check it into the vault.

Remove the relevant data set from the vault server before you check it into the vault.

Failed at child

Check the resolved reference of the added files.

Inventor 9 files or older cannot be added to the Vault in this version of Task Scheduler. Migrate the files before using Task Scheduler to add the files to the vault.

Update the older versions of files first, and then run the task again.

Vault server error

Check the vault server, and restart it if necessary.

Failed to log in to the vault server.

Verify that the username and password are still valid to log into the vault server.

Get Latest Version from Vault log

Operations results table Operation types lead the rows and operation results lead the columns:

Operation column Specifies the sequence of operations that are performed by Task Scheduler to get the latest version of the file.

  • Get Latest Version Retrieves a read-only copy of the most recent version of the file that has been checked in.

Failures and Recommended Solutions

Failures

Recommended Action

Vault server error

Check the vault server, and restart it if necessary.

Failed to log in to the vault server.

Verify that the username and password are still valid to log into the vault server.

Refresh Standard Components

Failures

Recommended Action

Failed: Unknown error.

Part refresh failed without the ability to identify the failure reason.

Failed: The pipe part is owned by Tube&Pipe. The part must be refreshed by Tube&Pipe application.

Use the Tube & Pipe functionality to refresh the part.This message is unlikely, as the refresh command does not work with parts outside of the location of Content Center files.

Failed: Standard is owned by Tube&Pipe. The part must be refreshed by Tube&Pipe application. Use the Tube & Pipe functionality to refresh the part. This message occurs only if the standard part is instanced by the Tube & Pipe application.
Failed: Unable to check-out from Vault.Check for reasons why you cannot check out the file from the Vault.
Warning: Part family has a “sick” label. Check the part file for correctness.This is a sick family warning. Check the part file and correct the sickness.
Failed: Unable to create part file. Unknown error.

Failed: Unable to create part file. You don’t have R/W permission to Content Center Files location.

 

Failed: Unable to create part file. An existing part file with the same name but belonging to another family member has been found in the family folder.

 

Failed: Unable to create part file. An existing part file with the same name but originated from another family has been found in the family folder.

 

Failed: Unable to set material.

 

Failed: Unable to create part file. Part file name exceeds the limit of path length.

 

Failed: Unable to create part file. Suppress or unsuppress of a feature(s) has failed.

 

Failed: Unable to create part file. Thread or hole feature has not been found in the part template.

 

Failed: Unable to create part file. Unable to create thread or hole feature.

 

Failed: Unable to create part file. Incorrect parameter value.

 

Failed: New part file has been successfully created,but replace in assembly has failed.

These messages might display when you create a part file. Each one is self explanatory.

Shrinkwrap Assembly

Log file items for shrinkwrap operations are common to all tasks.

Messages display to explain the nature of any failures.

The Task Summary in the log file shows how many files are processed and how many of them failed. A summary of failed files is included.

The last entry is the task end date and time.

Purge Task

Error messages

Recommended action

Purge success. All unused materials, appearances, and styles in the specified document are purged successfully.
Skipped purge of this document because the document is not checked ou.t Check out the file or files, and repeat the purge task.
Failed to purge all unused materials, appearances, and styles. Migrate the specified files to your current version of Inventor, and repeat the purge task.
Skipped purge because all materials, appearances, and styes in the document are in use. Verifies that no unused materials, appearances and styles are present in the specified document.

Sequential Task

The log detail for sequential tasks is the same as all sub-task types. Refer to the log description of each task type.

Custom Task

There is no log file information generated for custom tasks.