INTRODUCTION OF AUTODESK INVENTOR

COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN

AUTODESK INVENTOR

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION OF AUTODESK

INVENTOR

1.0 Introduction of Autodesk Inventor

Autodesk Inventor® provides a comprehensive set of 3D mechanical CAD tools for producing,
validating, and documenting complete digital prototypes. The Inventor model is a 3D digital
prototype. The prototype helps you visualize, simulate, and analyze how a product or part works
under real-world conditions before it is built. Manufacturers get to market faster with fewer physical
prototypes and more innovative products.

Figure 1.1: Autodesk Inventor 2010 software

The feature-based parametric modeling technique enables the designer to incorporate the
original design intent into the construction of the model. The word parametric means the geometric
definitions of the design, such as dimensions, can be varied at any time in the design process.
Parametric modeling is accomplished by identifying and creating the key features of the design with
the aid of computer software. The design variables, described in the sketches and described as
parametric relations, can then be used to quickly modify/update the design.

1.1 Autodesk Inventor User Interface

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Once you activate Autodesk Inventor, you can open an existing file or start a new file. Templates are
available on the Application menu under New. You can choose from several templates with
predefined units. Use the tabs to select your standard as show in Figure 1.2. The New File dialog
box has three tabs: Default, English, and Metric. The Default tab presents templates based on the
default unit that you select during installation, while the English and Metric tabs present template
files in their respective units.

Figure 1.2: Inventor file type

Part Files
Part files (*.ipt) represent the foundation of all designs using Autodesk Inventor. You use
the part file to describe the individual parts that make up an assembly.

Assembly Files

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Assembly (*.iam) files consist of multiple part files assembled in a single file to
represent your assembly. You use assembly constraints to constrain all the parts to each other. The
assembly file contains references to all of its component files.

Pressentation Files
Presentation files (*.ipn) is to create exploded views of the assembly. It is also possible
to animate the exploded views to simulate how the assembly should be put together or
taken apart.

Drawing Files

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Drawing files (*.idw) use to create the necessary 2D documentation of your design.
Drawing files include dimensions, annotations, and views required for manufacturing. When you use
a drawing file to create 2D views of an existing 3D model, the views are associative to the 3D
model, and changes in model geometry are reflected in the drawing automatically. You can also use
drawing files to create simple 2D drawings in much the same way that you use other 2D drawing
programs.

Inventor drawing files

Inventor drawing files can also be stored in the standard DWG format. If you use this 3 1
format for your 2D drawings, they can be opened and saved in AutoCAD. This is a very
useful option for users who must share their design data with others who use AutoCAD.

User Interface

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All environments share a common layout for tabs on a single toolbar across the top of
the application window called the ribbon. The ribbon contains tools and commands for specific tasks
and separate tabs. Each environment, assembly, part, or drawing for example, displays tabs and tools
specific to that environment. As you change tasks within a single environment, the ribbon adjusts to
present the appropriate tabs and tools. The following illustration shows the major components of the
Autodesk Inventor user interface. The ribbon and tabs are displayed at the top of the application
window.

1
2

31
4

8
9

1. Application menu 6. Navigation Bar

2
2. Quick Access Toolbar 7.
7 Browser
3.
3 Ribbon 8.
8 3D Indicator
4.
4 Ribbon Tabs 9.
9 Graphics Window
5.
5 View Cube

Quick Access toolbar

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Quick Access toolbar is displayed in the following illustration. It is organized into
groups based on functionality. This area of the toolbar displays tools for standard file and modeling
operations.

About the Graphics Window

3D part and assembly models, presentations, and drawings are displayed in the graphics window.
Many tools are available to manipulate the view and appearance of your model in the graphics
window.

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Display Modes
This area of the toolbar displays appearance-related tools for controlling the appearance of your
model. Select a render style from the list to change the color and texture of your model.

4
2
1 3 4

1.
1 Toggle the section views which graphically slice portions of an assembly so that you can
visualize other features.
2
2. Toggle between Orthographic and Perspective display modes.
33. Toggle between Shaded, Shaded with Hidden Edge and Wireframe displays.
4.
4 Toggle between No Shadow, Ground Shadow, and X-Ray Shadow display modes.
5.
5 In an assembly file, toggle between Transparency On and Transparency Off display modes.
6. Select a color/material to assign to a component.
6

3 D Indicator
While using the assembly, part modeling, and presentation environments, the 3D Indicator is
displayed in the lower-left area of the graphics window. The Indicator displays your current view
orientation in relation to the X, Y, and Z axes of the coordinate system.

• Red: X-axis
• Green: Y-axis
• Blue: Z-axis

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Free Orbit

The Free Orbit tool enables you to dynamically change your view of the model. It is important to
remember that the model does not move, you change your viewing position with the Rotate tool.
The following illustration outlines the rotation modes available. The cursor provides feedback on
the rotation mode available. You click and drag to rotate the view and you can set the center of
rotation by clicking a location on the model.

ViewCube

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Using the ViewCube to change the view orientation of your models

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3. 
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Orthographic View Home View

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 

 
 
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 INTRODUCTION OF AUTODESK INVENTOR
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AUTODESK INVENTOR

Application Options

Anything you want to setting in Autodesk Inventor you can go to Application Options as shown
below.

1
1. In File menu go to Tools tab.
2
2. Click on Application Options icon.
3
3. Application options popup menu will appear and you can setting base on our interest.

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