v3.0.2.693

Fixes

• Fixed issue with thumbnail generation when Autodesk Apprentice Server is unavailable
• Thumbnails now load more reliably with automatic fallback to alternative method

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Archives

• Deploy - For installers (Inno Setup, WiX, NSIS)
• Portable - Single executable, no installation required
• FrameworkDependent - Requires .NET 8.0 Runtime
• Updater - For automatic updates

v3.0.2.692

Release 3.0.2

Improvements

Update System

• Added complete backup and rollback functionality: the updater now automatically creates backup copies of all files before updating and can restore them if an error occurs during the update process

Technical

• Embedded build commit date directly in assembly metadata for accurate version tracking

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Installation Options

• Deploy - For installers (Inno Setup, WiX, NSIS) - includes all required components
• Portable - Single executable, no installation required
• FrameworkDependent - Requires .NET 8.0 Runtime (smallest download)
• Updater - For automatic updates (updated automatically through the app)

v3.0.1.689

v3.0.1 - Thumbnail & Update Improvements

Patch release with improved thumbnail reliability and bug fixes for the auto-update system.

What's New

Thumbnail Generation

• Dual-method fallback: Primary ApprenticeServer API with automatic Windows Shell API fallback when ApprenticeServer unavailable
• Performance: Reusable ApprenticeServer instance reduces COM initialization overhead
• Zero configuration: Works automatically regardless of ApprenticeServer availability

Property Management

• Configurable initial tab in property selection window (remembers Standard/User-Defined preference)

Bug Fixes

• Fixed "File Not Found" error when launching updater (incorrect directory validation)

Changes

• Add fallback thumbnail retrieval via Windows Shell API
• Optimize ApprenticeServer usage with singleton instance
• Add configurable initial tab in property selection window
• Fix update directory validation in Updater
• Update documentation with thumbnail fallback details

Installation

Download the appropriate build type:

• Deploy - For installer creation (includes .NET runtime)
• Portable - Single executable, ready to run
• FrameworkDependent - Requires .NET 8.0 Runtime (smallest size)
• Updater - Automatic update component

Extract and run FlatPatternExporter.exe with Inventor open.

Upgrade

Existing v3.0.0 users: Built-in auto-updater will notify you. Click "Update" to install automatically.

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Full Changelog: v3.0.0.684...v3.0.1.689

v3.0.0.684

🎉 First Public Release - v3.0.0

Flat Pattern Exporter is a standalone WPF utility that connects to Autodesk Inventor and automates flat pattern exports for sheet metal parts with comprehensive customization options.

🚀 Key Features

Core Functionality

• Inventor Integration: Connects to running Autodesk Inventor session via COM API
• Document Scanning: Supports BOM-based and component traversal scanning methods
• Smart Filtering: Exclude reference, purchased, phantom, and library components
• Conflict Detection: Identifies and reports duplicate part numbers before export

Export Capabilities

• DXF Export: Customizable layer mapping with color and line type configuration
• AutoCAD Versions: Target specific AutoCAD versions (2013-2024)
• Geometry Processing:
  • Merge profiles into polylines
  • Rebase geometry to first quadrant
  • Spline replacement (lines or arcs)
  • Trim centerlines to contour
• DXF Optimization: Reduce file size for older AutoCAD versions

File Organization

• Smart Naming: Token-based file name constructor with:
  • Standard properties (PartNumber, Material, Thickness, etc.)
  • User-defined iProperties
  • Custom text and symbols
• Folder Structure: Organize by material, thickness, or custom subfolders
• Multiple Targets: Export to project folder, part folder, or custom location

Data Management

• Excel/CSV Export: Export part data with thumbnails
• Thumbnail Generation: Generate previews for parts and DXF files
• Column Customization: Add/remove columns, reorder, and save layouts
• Property Management: Add standard and custom properties dynamically

User Experience

• Modern UI: Clean WPF interface with light/dark theme support
• Localization: Full English and Russian language support
• Settings Persistence: All preferences saved in %AppData%\FlatPatternExporter\settings.json
• Template Presets: Save and manage file naming templates
• Real-time Preview: See file name results before export
• Auto-Update System: Built-in update checker with one-click updates

📦 Installation

System Requirements

• Windows 10/11 x64
• .NET 8.0 Desktop Runtime
• Autodesk Inventor 2020 or newer (tested with 2026)

Available Build Types

1. Deploy (FlatPatternExporter-v3.0.0.684-x64-Deploy.zip)

   • Self-contained with .NET runtime included
   • Best for installer creation (Inno Setup, WiX, NSIS)
   • Largest file size, no dependencies

2. Portable (FlatPatternExporter-v3.0.0.684-x64-Portable.zip)

   • Single executable, ready to run
   • Self-contained with .NET runtime
   • No installation required

3. FrameworkDependent (FlatPatternExporter-v3.0.0.684-x64-FrameworkDependent.zip)

   • Requires .NET 8.0 Runtime installed
   • Smallest file size
   • Best for users with .NET already installed

4. Updater (FlatPatternExporter.Updater-v3.0.0.684-x64.zip)

   • Automatic update component
   • Downloaded automatically when updates are available

Quick Start

1. Download the appropriate build type
2. Extract the archive
3. Launch Autodesk Inventor and open your assembly/part
4. Run FlatPatternExporter.exe
5. Click Scan to analyze the document
6. Configure export options
7. Click Export to generate DXF files

🔧 Recent Improvements

v3.0.0 Highlights

• ✨ Automatic update system with GitHub integration
• 📊 Excel/CSV export with image support
• 🎨 Improved file name constructor UX with hints
• 🏷️ Quick access button for property management
• 🌐 Enhanced localization system
• 🎯 Better error handling and user feedback
• 📦 Multiple build configurations for different deployment scenarios
• 🔄 Automated release creation workflow

📖 Documentation

For detailed documentation, troubleshooting, and build instructions, see:

• README.md
• PUBLISH.md

📝 License

MIT License - Copyright © 2025 Sinicyn Ivan Victorovich

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Full Changelog: https://github.com/isinicyn/FlatPatternExporter/commits/v3.0.0.684