Quick Command Search

Command Description

Quick Command Search allows users to quickly search for and execute commands right from the location of the mouse cursor in the Inventor window. Moreover, users' favorite commands can be pinned directly to the search command window.

Although the command can be launched directly from the ribbon, the drop-down list's position is tied to the cursor location. Therefore, to fully benefit from having all the commands appear directly at the cursor, it's best to launch it using a keyboard shortcut. (Tip: Try assigning Alt+X.)

How it works

During the first Inventor launch after T4I installation, the command cache is built. This process takes approximately 30 seconds, depending on the workstation configuration. The command cache is stored in the C:\Users!!!USER!!!\AppData\Roaming\Holixa\T4ILabs\CommandsCache.json file. This cache data is used when searching for commands. If the cache file is deleted, it will be automatically re-created during the next Inventor restart.

When searching for commands, command images (if enabled in the settings) are generated on the fly during the search process.

Command Location

• All environments except for the Presentation (Be.Smart Labs ribbon)

Command Settings

Be.Smart Labs ribbon -> Be.Smart T4I Labs panel -> Edit Settings -> CommandSearch section

Be.Smart T4I ribbon -> Be.Smart T4I panel -> Advanced settings -> T4I Labs tab -> Command Search section

Be.Smart T4I ribbon -> Be.Smart T4I panel -> Edit settings -> T4I Labs tab -> Command Search section

Settings description

• CommandSearchShortcut

  • Read-only value to show the shortcut associated with the command.

• DisplayIconsInDropdown

  • Boolean

  • Enables or disables icon visibility in the list of searched commands. Disabling this option can speed up command searches on slower machines.

• UseCommandsWithoutEnvironment

  • Boolean

  • If enabled, commands that do not by default belong to any Inventor environment will be included in the command search list (more commands will be found). Some commands may be displayed multiple times.

Workflow Examples

General usage

1. Assign a shortcut to the command.

2. Use the shortcut to launch the command whenever needed.

3. Select a command to be launched either from the drop-down list or the area of pinned commands.

The Quick Command Search command in action during normal Inventor workflow

To Pin/Unpin a command

1. Launch the search command.

2. Search for the command.

3. In the drop-down list, select the Pin/Unpin button on the right side of the drop-down list.

4. Launch the required command or hit the Esc key.

To close the command search window

• Activate one of the commands you searched for, or

• Activate one of the pinned commands, or

• Press the Esc key.

Known Issues and Limitations

• The first launch of Inventor after T4I installation may experience a slight delay (approximately 30 seconds) due to the building of the CommandsCache.json file.

• Currently, the tool works best with the English version of Autodesk Inventor.

• The command is not available in IPN files.

• Every newly pinned command appears in the leftmost position, shifting previously pinned commands to the right.

• Commands not assigned to any Inventor environment (including Be.Smart T4I commands) cannot be pinned.

• The search window can only be closed by running a selected command or pressing the Esc key.

• Multiple commands with the same name may appear in the list because they come from different Inventor environments.

• Commands that are currently inactive (grayed out) on the Inventor ribbons are not grayed out in the drop-down list.

• Internal True/False indicators are visible in the list of searched commands.

• The command search window does not automatically adjust its theme color to match Inventor's UI theme. A restart of Inventor is required for the changes to take effect.