iLogic/API/VBA error when modifying write-protected (library) documents in Inventor

Autodesk Support

Oct 8, 2023

Products and versions covered

Issue:

The API in Inventor 2017 and earlier allowed documents in read-only (library) folders to be modified. Inventor 2018 and later no longer allow write-protected files, such as content center parts, to be modified by the API or iLogic rules to maintain consistency with the UI behavior.

Possible Error Messages:

"Edits are not allowed on this file"
"Cannot modify the library file"
"Cannot modify properties in a read-only file"
"iLogic rule cannot change Content Center parts"
"Inventor API Runtime error 80004005"
"Method ‘Value’ of object ‘Property’ failed"

Solution:

If your workflow requires modifying read only library documents, consider making the parent folder writable or copying the files to a folder that has write permission. Otherwise, use the work-around below to restore the legacy behavior.


Workaround
Set the hidden _LibraryDocumentModifiable application property.  Only set it to True for the duration of the API calls that need to bypass the read-only document protection.  Leaving it enabled for the entire Inventor session could adversely affect other Inventor UI based features.
 
Here is a VBA segment that shows the correct use of this property:

Dim app As Application
Set app = ThisApplication
Dim oPart As PartDocument
Set oPart = { … }
{ … }

‘ Allow Library document modification
app.[_LibraryDocumentModifiable] = True

‘ Modify a property in a read-only document
oPart.PropertySets.Item(1).Item(1).Value = "test123" 

‘ Revert to default behavior
app.[_LibraryDocumentModifiable] = False


Note:
In VBA, an On Error GoTo, destination should set _LibraryDocumentModifiable to False.  For VB.NET, reset the property in the Finally block of a Try/Catch.

Products:

Inventor Products;

Versions:

2018;

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