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MatStreamConnect

MatStreamConnect is a lightweight Windows desktop companion application that acts as a bridge between local desktop tools (such as Autodesk Inventor via iLogic) and the MatStream API. It enables workflows that a browser cannot support — such as detecting that a file has been saved in a local CAD application and triggering an upload or import automatically.

Installation

MatStreamConnect is distributed as a Windows installer. After installation it appears as a tray icon in the Windows system tray.

Default install path: %APPDATA%\MatStream\MatStreamConnect\MatStreamConnect.exe

The iLogic rules that call MatStreamConnect check this path before launching. If the file is not found, the rule shows an error and stops.

Tray icon

MatStreamConnect runs silently in the system tray after startup. You can interact with it via:

  • Double-click the tray icon → opens the main window.
  • Right-click the tray icon → context menu with:
  • Open — opens the main window (same as double-click).
  • Other menu items depending on the installed version.

Closing the main window hides it — MatStreamConnect continues running in the tray. It does not fully exit until you choose Exit from the tray menu or stop it from Task Manager.

Connection configuration

MatStreamConnect connects to a MatStream workspace using a connection.json file:

Location: %APPDATA%\MatStream\MatStreamConnect\connection.json

Fields:

Field Description
WorkspaceSlug Short workspace identifier (e.g. a5u038)
WorkspaceId Numeric workspace ID
TenantApiBaseUrl Base URL of the MatStream Tenant API (e.g. https://api.matstream.com)
CoreApiBaseUrl Base URL of the MatStream Core API (e.g. https://core.matstream.com)
WorkspaceName Display name of the workspace

Example: 

{
  "WorkspaceSlug": "a5u038",
  "WorkspaceId": 3,
  "TenantApiBaseUrl": "https://api.matstream.com",
  "CoreApiBaseUrl": "https://core.matstream.com",
  "WorkspaceName": "PM Software"
}

The first time you use MatStreamConnect, open the main window and log in. Logging in writes connection.json automatically. After login, both TenantApiBaseUrl and CoreApiBaseUrl are preserved in the file. A custom CoreApiBaseUrl (e.g. for a test environment) is not overwritten when you re-authenticate.

Triggering imports from iLogic

MatStreamConnect accepts command-line arguments from iLogic rules (or any other automation) to trigger import runs without requiring user interaction with the main window.

iLogic call pattern (VB.NET)

Dim gatewayPath = System.IO.Path.Combine(
    System.Environment.GetFolderPath(System.Environment.SpecialFolder.ApplicationData),
    "MatStream", "MatStreamConnect", "MatStreamConnect.exe")

If Not System.IO.File.Exists(gatewayPath) Then
    MsgBox("MatStreamConnect not found. Please install it first.", vbExclamation, "MatStream")
    Return
End If

' Build arguments and call
Dim args = $"import --profile ""{profileName}"" --file ""{excelPath}"" --metadata '{metadataJson}'"
Shell(gatewayPath & " " & args)

The --profile argument must match the Name field of an Import Definition configured in MatStream.

What happens on import trigger

  1. MatStreamConnect receives the command-line arguments.
  2. It reads connection.json to get the workspace credentials.
  3. It calls POST /api/wid/{workspaceSlug}/imports/{profileName}/run with the Excel file and metadata.
  4. MatStream processes the import and returns batch result counts.
  5. MatStreamConnect logs the result; on error, it can show a notification.

Supported workflows

Workflow Status
Import Inventor Drawing BOM from iLogic ✅ Supported
Attach drawing PDF to main entity on import ✅ Supported
Trigger import from command line / other automation ✅ Supported
Open/edit local CAD file and upload on save 🗓 Planned (native file companion feature)

Troubleshooting

MatStreamConnect not found by iLogic: Check that the connect is installed at %APPDATA%\MatStream\MatStreamConnect\MatStreamConnect.exe. Run the installer if missing.

CoreApiBaseUrl missing from connection.json: This happens if MatStreamConnect was installed before the CoreApiBaseUrl field was added. Open the main window, log out, and log in again — this regenerates connection.json with all required fields.

Import fails with 401 Unauthorized: The API key or session token stored by MatStreamConnect has expired. Open the main window and re-authenticate.

Import fails with profile not found: The --profile argument passed by iLogic does not match any Import Definition name in MatStream. Check the profile name in Configuration → Import Definitions.