## Read a .NET API object

Use **.NET API object gadget** to inspect the public API values exposed by an
inspectable object and follow related API objects or collections. It is a
read-only view of the selected object; it does not write values back to the
layout.

![The .NET API object gadget for Stacker Crane - Dual Pallet #2, showing the ISimComponent interface, API values, null relationships, and inspect buttons for nested objects.](https://inspector.4111778.xyz/assets/captures/gadgets-dotnet-api-object-crane.png)

* **Name** and **DataType** identify the inspected API object
* **Interface** selects **All** or one of the implemented interfaces with
  inspectable fields
* Rows such as **RootNode**, **Behaviors**, **Statistics**, **Features**, and
  **Nodes** show values exposed by the selected interface
* A magnifier beside a value means that the related object or collection can
  be inspected separately

## Before you start

* Select an object that exposes an inspectable .NET API object

## Steps

1. [Open Inspector](https://inspector.4111778.xyz/docs/getting-started/open-inspector/) for the selected
   object.
2. In the gadget selector, select **.NET API object gadget**.
3. Check **Name** and **DataType** to confirm that the gadget is showing the
   intended object.
4. In **Interface**, select **All** to scan the available API fields, or
   select a specific implemented interface to focus the rows.
5. Read the displayed values for the investigation question. Use the
   magnifier beside a nested object or collection when its contents need
   separate inspection.

## Interpret the result

* **All** combines fields from the implemented interfaces that expose
  inspectable values. A specific interface limits the rows to that interface.
* A value such as `9 x IBehavior`, `138 x IFeature`, or `7 x ISimNode` is a
  collection summary. Use its magnifier to inspect the collection contents.
* `<null>` means that the selected API property returned no value in the
  current layout state. For example, the captured crane has `<null>` for
  **Product**, **Group**, **Tag**, and selection colors.
* A row with an object value, such as **RootNode** or **Statistics**, includes
  the displayed object identity and an inspect action. Follow it when the
  summary is not enough to answer the question.
* The gadget reads public properties from the selected interface. If a
  property getter cannot be read, the implementation skips that property, so
  a missing row is not evidence that the source object has no such member.

## Read-only boundary

The gadget displays text rows and changes which interface is shown; it does
not provide a property editor or a setter for the displayed API values. The
magnifier opens a related value for inspection, while the value context menu
can copy display text or select a related layout object. These actions do not
change the source property value.

Use the separate **Property container** gadget when the investigation requires
the layout's property-container view. That is a different surface from this
generic API inspection view.

## Related tasks

See [Inspector gadget system](https://inspector.4111778.xyz/docs/overview/gadget-system/) for choosing a
gadget. Use [Object hierarchy](https://inspector.4111778.xyz/docs/gadgets/object-hierarchy/) to follow the selected
object's tree context, or [Object bounds](https://inspector.4111778.xyz/docs/gadgets/object-bounds/) to investigate its
visual dimensions and world center.