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20805-010000-5000a July 17, 2001
Copyright © 2001 Autodesk, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Introducing Autodesk Inventor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Who should use Autodesk Inventor? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
What’s in this manual? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Key Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Information Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
User Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Browser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Tools and Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Context Menus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Sketch and Select Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Cursor Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
File Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Projects in Autodesk Inventor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Creating New Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Opening Existing Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Specifying Path Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Finding Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Importing and Exporting Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
AutoCAD Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Autodesk Mechanical Desktop Files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
SAT Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
STEP Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
IGES Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Design Support System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Learning Autodesk Inventor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Where to Go for Additional Help and Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
iii
Chapter 1 Sketches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
What is a sketch? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Why create sketches? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
When do I use the sketch environment? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Where do I find sketches?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Work Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Sketching Shapes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Sketch Geometry Styles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Entering Precise Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Modifying Sketches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Adding or Removing Constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Placing Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Sketching Tools and Symbols. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Sketching Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Constraint Symbols. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Working Smarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Efficient Sketching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Shortcuts for Sketching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Shortcuts for Refining the Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Advanced Constraint Techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Chapter 2 3D Sketches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Why use the 3D sketch environment? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Where do I find a 3D sketch? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Work Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Planning Your Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Sketching 3D Paths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Creating Bends in 3D Paths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Positioning 3D Paths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
3D Sketching Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Working Smarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
iv | Contents
Key Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Work Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Planning Your Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Creating New Parts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Creating Base Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Creating Work Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Viewing Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Modifying Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Adding Sketched Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Adding Placed Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Creating Patterns of Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Splitting Faces or Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Part Modeling Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Feature Creation Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Viewing Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Working Smarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Contents | v
Creating Cuts and Holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Creating Flanges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Creating Bends and Seams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Creating Flat Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Sheet Metal Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Working Smarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Chapter 6 Assemblies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
What are assemblies? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
When do I use the assembly environment? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
What are adaptive assemblies and parts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
How do I design parts in-place? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
What are derived parts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
What are derived assemblies? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
What are iMates?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Work Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Planning Your Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Creating or Placing the First Component. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Positioning Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
Adding Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Creating Patterns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Replacing Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Adding Constraints to Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
Using Drive Constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Adding Constraints to Adaptive Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Creating 2D Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Checking for Interference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Creating Design Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Restructuring Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
Producing Bills of Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Packaging Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Assembly Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
Working Smarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
Loading and Updating Components Faster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
Managing Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
Using Efficient File Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
Managing Assembly Constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Navigating with the Browser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
vi | Contents
Chapter 7 iFeatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
What is an iFeature?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Why use iFeatures?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Where can I use iFeatures?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Key Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Work Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Planning Your Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Creating iFeatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Viewing the Catalog of iFeatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Inserting iFeatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Working Smarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Contents | vii
Rotating Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Adding Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Using Model Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Creating Dimensions in Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Changing Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Annotating Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Hole Tables in Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
Parts Lists in Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
Creating Sketch Overlays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
Printing and Plotting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
Drawing Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
Drawing Management Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
Drawing Annotation Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
Sketch Toolbar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
Working Smarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
viii | Contents
Introduction
In This Chapter
the manual.
1
Introducing Autodesk Inventor
The Autodesk Inventor software includes features for 3D modeling,
information management, collaboration, and technical support. With
Autodesk Inventor, you can
■ Create 3D models and 2D manufacturing drawings.
■ Create adaptive features, parts, and subassemblies.
■ Manage thousands of parts and large assemblies.
■ Use third-party applications, with an Application Program Interface (API).
■ Use VBA to access the Autodesk Inventor API. Create programs to
automate repetitive tasks. From the Help menu, choose Programmer Help.
■ Import SAT, STEP, and AutoCAD® and Autodesk® Mechanical Desktop®
(DWG) files for use in Autodesk Inventor. Export Autodesk Inventor files
to AutoCAD, Autodesk Mechanical Desktop, and IGES formats.
■ Collaborate with multiple designers in the modeling process.
■ Link to Web tools to access industry resources, share data, and
communicate with colleagues.
■ Use the integrated Design Support System (DSS) for help as you work.
2 | Introduction
Key Features
Autodesk Inventor software integrates functionality for 3D modeling,
information management, and support.
Modeling
The following are key features for modeling in Autodesk Inventor 5.
Derived parts Create parts from other parts. Use derived parts to explore
alternative designs and manufacturing processes. See
chapter 3, “Part Models.”
Solid modeling Integrate surfaces with solids to create complex shapes.
Autodesk Inventor uses the latest version of Spatial
Technologies ACIS™ geometric modeler. See chapter 3,
“Part Models.”
Sheet metal Create sheet metal parts and features using both part
modeling and sheet metal tools. See chapter 5, “Sheet
Metal Design.”
Adaptive Use work features (planes, axes, and points) to assemble 2D
layout “parts” associatively in Autodesk Inventor. Use an
adaptive layout to optimize an assembly by focusing on
function before form. See chapter 6, “Assemblies.”
Adaptive parts Make parts and assembly components adaptive. Adaptive
and assemblies parts change in response to changes in other parts. Edit
parts anywhere in a model in any order. See chapter 6,
“Assemblies.”
iFeatures Create features, sketches, or subassemblies, and save them
as iFeatures in a catalog for reuse. Place, size, and modify
these features later. See chapter 7, “iFeatures.”
iMates Define and reuse constraint pairs called iMates to specify
how parts connect in an assembly. See chapter 6,
“Assemblies.”
Collaborative Use the Projects, Engineer’s Notebook, and Design
engineering Assistant tools in an environment where multiple users
work simultaneously in the context of the same assembly
and share information. See chapter 10, “Collaboration.”
Key Features | 3
Information Management
The following are key features for information management and
communication in Autodesk Inventor 5.
Projects Organize your work into projects before you start so that
Autodesk Inventor can always find files and referenced
files, and you can share files with a workgroup. See
“Projects in Autodesk Inventor” on page 11.
Drawing Use a template for drawings or customize your drawings
Manager to document your work. Add multiple sheets, and create
views, annotations, and tables. Drawing Manager
includes ANSI, BSI, DIN, GB, ISO, JIS, and custom
standards. See chapter 9, “Drawings.”
Design Search for and manage part files using properties such as
Assistant part number, material, and cost center. Create reports,
such as Hierarchy or Design Properties. See “Design
Assistant” on page 136.
Engineer’s Capture and annotate design data and attach “notes” to
Notebook help communicate the details and history of your design.
See “Engineer’s Notebook” on page 134.
Support
The Design Support System (DSS) in Autodesk Inventor 5 provides several
types of support. See “Design Support System” on page 19 for information
about Help, online Getting Started, What’s New, Visual Syllabus™, Design
Doctor™, and online Tutorials in the DSS.
The Inventor Support Assistance Help, available from the Help menu,
provides a database of technical support information in an issue and solution
format.
Autodesk Online, available from the Help menu, provides Web links to the
the Autodesk Inventor Home Page, Autodesk® Point A, Autodesk
Streamline™, RedSpark™, and Big Fix. Big Fix is the Point A pro-active
support service for Autodesk Inventor. For more information, see “Autodesk
Streamline,” “Autodesk Point A,” and “RedSpark” on page 21.
4 | Introduction
User Interface
The standards in Autodesk Inventor are like those in Microsoft® Windows®.
The user interface elements in Autodesk Inventor are common to most
Windows-based applications.
There are two main elements in the user interface for Autodesk Inventor.
Application Displayed when you open Autodesk Inventor.
Window
Graphics Displayed for each open file. When multiple files are
Window open, the graphics window you are working in is called
the active window.
This illustration shows the application window with a standard part file
template displayed in the graphics window.
Browser toolbar
Browser
Status bar
User Interface | 5
Browser
The browser shows the structure of parts, assemblies, or drawings in the
active file. It is unique to each environment. This illustration shows the
browser and the browser toolbar in the assembly environment.
Design View button
You can drag a toolbar to any location on the application window. You can
drag the corner of a toolbar in the application window to change its shape.
You can use the View menu to turn toolbars on and off.
6 | Introduction
Autodesk Inventor tools open dialog boxes when necessary. For example,
when you click a sketch tool you can draw without additional steps, and
when you click a feature modeling tool a dialog box is displayed. Dialog
boxes open on your window at the location where they were last used.
Click a sketch tool... Click a feature tool, and provide information
When you work in Autodesk Inventor, you can usually select either an object
first and then click the tool to perform an action, or select the tool first and
then the object.
Select the action... OR Select the object...
User Interface | 7
Context Menus
Context menus are displayed when you right-click the mouse. The options
displayed in context menus are specific to the task you are performing.
You can control the Sketch and Select modes using the buttons on the
Command bar, as shown in the following illustration.
8 | Introduction
Cursor Symbols
As you use Autodesk Inventor, small symbols are often displayed beside the
cursor. These symbols are cues indicating that you can do something in your
model or perform a related operation.
For example, this parallel symbol is displayed when you sketch parallel lines.
See “Constraint Symbols” on page 35.
File Templates
Templates are provided for five of the file types you can use in Autodesk
Inventor. You can identify each file type by its icon and file extension.
User Interface | 9
When you click the option to open a new file, templates for the different file
types are displayed in the Open dialog box. The Default, English, and Metric
tabs contain file templates that use appropriate units and drafting standards.
The units and drafting standards in the Default tab are those you select when
you install Autodesk Inventor.
10 | Introduction
Projects in Autodesk Inventor
In Autodesk Inventor 5, a system of Projects is used to manage files. You
create projects before you begin working. When your files are organized into
projects, Autodesk Inventor always knows where to find files and referenced
files, and they can be shared among multiple designers. Using Projects, you
can
NOTE The Inventor project wizard dialog box opens only if all Autodesk
Inventor files are closed.
Shortcut paths to your project (.ipj) files are automatically stored in their
project home folder.
Your new project is automatically listed in the Projects - Select a project file
window.
You can set up your projects to recognize either relative paths or absolute
paths. In Autodesk Inventor 5, project files recognize relative paths by
default. Project files created prior to this version of Autodesk Inventor
required absolute paths. You can use the option in the lower window of the
Projects dialog box to switch between relative and absolute.
12 | Introduction
Opening Existing Projects
You use the Select a project file window to open existing projects. When you
open an Autodesk Inventor session, the startup dialog box provides the
Projects option to open the Select a project file window.
The upper area of the Projects window lists your existing projects folders,
from which you make your selection.
The lower window contains search path information for the project selected
in the upper window. Here you can select a search path type to change the
paths, add new paths, or delete paths.
14 | Introduction
If a part is not found in the library paths, the system checks the workspace
next, then local paths, then workgroup paths. If the file is not found in any
of the specified locations, Autodesk Inventor searches the folder that
contains the parent file, then displays the Resolve Link dialog box so you can
browse for the file.
Finding Files
The Resolve Link dialog box has a field that displays the defined search paths.
When you browse for a file, click the path name, and the file location is
entered in the Look In field. If you can’t find the file, click Skip to continue
loading the assembly. If you click Skip All, the system loads the assembly
without trying to resolve any missing files
■ Layer mapping
■ Selection of an AutoCAD template
■ Support for DFX files back to version 12
■ Creation of AutoCAD Mechanical files, if AutoCAD Mechanical is
installed
AutoCAD Files
You can open AutoCAD (DWG or DXF) files back to version 12. When you
open an AutoCAD file in Autodesk Inventor, you can specify the AutoCAD
data to translate. You can select:
If you translate 3D solids, each solid becomes a part file containing an ACIS
solid body.
When you import AutoCAD (DWG) drawings into a part sketch, a drawing,
or a drawing sketch overlay, the converter takes the entities from the XY
plane of model space and places them on the sketch. In a drawing, certain
entities, such as splines, cannot be converted.
16 | Introduction
Autodesk Mechanical Desktop Files
When you export Autodesk Inventor drawings into AutoCAD, you get an
editable drawing. The converter creates a new AutoCAD drawing and places
everything into paper space in the DWG file. If there are multiple sheets in
the Autodesk Inventor drawing, each sheet is saved as a separate DWG file.
The exported entities become AutoCAD entities, including dimensions.
Autodesk Inventor can translate Autodesk Mechanical Desktop parts and
assemblies so the design intent is retained. You can import a Mechanical
Desktop file as either an ACIS body or a full conversion. In order to import
model data from a Mechanical Desktop part or assembly, Mechanical
Desktop must be installed and running on your system. Features that are
supported in Autodesk Inventor are converted. Features that are not
supported are not translated. If Autodesk Inventor can’t translate a feature it
skips that feature, places a note in the browser, and then completes the
translation.
SAT Files
SAT (*.sat) files contain nonparametric solids. They may be Boolean solids or
parametric solids with the relationships removed. An SAT file can be used in
an assembly. You can add parametric features to the base solid.
When you import an SAT file, if it contains a single body it produces an
Autodesk Inventor part file with a single part. If it contains multiple bodies,
it produces an assembly with multiple parts.
Help Contents Using other file types ➤ How to... Open files ➤ Open files from
other CAD systems
Using other files types ➤ Reference... Open files ➤ SAT File
Open Options reference
Using other file types ➤ How to... Save files to other formats
Help Contents Using other file types ➤ How to... Open files ➤ Open files from
other CAD systems
Using other files types ➤ Reference ➤ Open files ➤ STEP File
Open Options reference
Using other file types ➤ How to...Save files to other formats
IGES Files
IGES (*.igs, *.ige, *.iges) files are a standard in the United States. Many
NC/CAM software packages require files in IGES format. Autodesk Inventor
imports and exports IGES files.
Help Contents Using other file types ➤ How to... Open Files ➤ Open files from
other CAD systems
Using other file types ➤ How to...Save files to other formats
18 | Introduction
Design Support System
The Design Support System (DSS) is a combination of information and
interactive support tools. You can get the latest version of Autodesk Inventor
Help and other DSS components from the Autodesk Inventor Updates Web
page using the direct link in Help.
Help
Contents Look up How To, Learn About, and
Reference information for any
operation.
Get AutoCAD user assistance.
Get Power user help.
Index Enter a key word and select a topic.
Search Enter words or a phrase.
Where to find...
Help menu
Button on toolbar
Press F1
How To option on context menu
Where to find...
From the Help home page, select
Getting Started.
Where to find...
Button on Standard toolbar
Where to find...
Button on Standard toolbar
available when an error is
underlined in red on your screen.
Browser context menu
Where to find...
Help menu
Context menu in Help topics
20 | Introduction
Design Support System Components (continued)
Where to find...
Button on Standard toolbar
From the Help menu, choose
Autodesk online ➤ Autodesk
Streamline
From the File menu, choose Getting
Started ➤ Autodesk Streamline
Button on Help system navigation
bar
Where to find...
Button on Standard toolbar
From the Help menu, choose
Autodesk online ➤ Autodesk
Point A
From the File menu, choose Getting
Started ➤ Autodesk Point A
Where to find...
From the Help menu, choose
Autodesk online ➤ RedSpark
From the File menu, choose Getting
Started ➤ RedSpark
Familiar with 2D CAD Read this manual. Pay particular attention to the Work Flow
program, but new section in each chapter.
to 3D
From the Help menu, select:
What’s New See what’s new in this release.
Tutorials Review step-by-step instructions to create parts,
assemblies, and drawings.
Select File ➤ Getting Started. From the Getting Started page,
review the different parts of the DSS
Experienced in From the Help menu, choose Help for AutoCAD users.
AutoCAD
From the Help Contents Tab, choose Help for AutoCAD users.
22 | Introduction
Suggested Learning Approaches (continued)
New to CAD tools Enroll in training for 2D/3D CAD modeling before using
Autodesk Inventor.
Read this manual. Pay particular attention to all Work Flow topics.
From the Help menu, select:
What’s New See what’s new in this release.
Tutorials Review step-by-step instructions to create parts,
assemblies, and drawings.
From the Standard toolbar, click the Visual Syllabus button.
Select images in the Visual Syllabus to see how specific tasks
are performed.
In This Chapter
1
In Autodesk Inventor™, sketching is the first step in ■ Introduction
■ Key features
creating a part. This chapter gives you an overview of
■ Work flow
the sketch environment, sketch tools, and the work flow
■ Tools and symbols
25
Introduction
The model you create in Autodesk Inventor is linked to its underlying
sketches. If you change a sketch, the model is automatically updated.
You work in the sketch environment when you create or edit a sketch. The
sketch environment consists of a sketch and sketch tools.
What is a sketch?
A sketch is the profile of a feature and any geometry (such as a sweep path or
axis of rotation) required to create the feature. You create a 3D model from a
sketch by projecting the profile or revolving it around an axis.
26 | Chapter 1 Sketches
When do I use the sketch environment?
When you open a new part file, the sketch environment is automatically
active. The 2D Sketch button is selected, and the 2D Sketch toolbar is
available. In an existing part file, first activate the sketch in the browser. This
action activates the tools in the sketch environment so you can create
geometry for part features. After you create a model from a sketch, you can
reenter the sketch environment to make changes or start a new sketch for a
new feature.
Key Features
Dynamic Autodesk Inventor infers, displays, and automatically
Inference applies constraints as you sketch.
Shared Use a single sketch to create multiple features or multiple
Sketches profiles in a part model.
Constrained Determine constraints, resize a sketch, and create
Drag constraints by dragging geometry.
General Create dimensions with a single tool.
Dimension
Auto Dimension and constrain sketches in a single step with a
Dimension minimum of clicks and interaction.
Hatching Apply hatch patterns to regions in drawings.
Direct edge Project edges of an existing face to create new sketch
referencing geometry.
2D Spline Define, add, and delete points for a spline, and specify the
Faster or Smoother solve method to achieve the best
result.
Key Features | 27
Work Flow
Every part starts with a sketch. In the sketch environment, you can draw and
refine freehand sketches. This section provides an overview of how to create
sketches. The following is a reference to detailed information in Help about
creating sketches. Additional references to information about specific tasks
are provided throughout this section.
Sketching Shapes
To start a sketch from scratch, open a new part file and select a tool from the
Sketch toolbar. Then start sketching in the graphics window. As you sketch,
symbols, such as perpendicular or vertical alignment, are displayed when
constraints can be applied. To close the geometry, click the start point. To end
the command, press ESC or click Select.
While creating geometry, you can rub an edge on a different face to project
it into your sketch. You accomplish the rub by moving your cursor back and
forth over the geometry to project.
You specify a geometry style from the Style field above the graphics window
before you begin sketching new geometry. For changing the style of existing
geometry, select the geometry first, and then specify a style from the Style field.
28 | Chapter 1 Sketches
Entering Precise Values
You can enter precise values for geometry as you sketch. The tools for precise
input are located on the Precise Input toolbar. Precise input works with any
sketch tool that requires placement of a point. The precise input tool has X
and Y fields. You can enter both values to define a point, or enter just the X
or Y value to limit the placement of the point to a vertical or horizontal line.
Modifying Sketches
After you create sketch geometry, you can refine and adjust the proportions
of the sketch. If the geometry is not fully constrained, you can revise it by
dragging. You can revise one or multiple elements using the drag method.
You can format model edges and sketch lines.
perpendicular
horizontally aligned
Work Flow | 29
Adding or Removing Constraints
Define your design intent by adding geometric constraints to the sketch.
Constraints limit changes and define the shape of a sketch. For example, if a
line is horizontally constrained, dragging an endpoint changes the length of
the line or moves it vertically, but does not affect its slope.
Although you can use unconstrained sketches, fully-constrained sketches
result in more predictable updates. You can use auto dimensioning to place
the dimensions that are critical to a sketch and then, in one step, finish the
dimensioning until the sketch is fully constrained. You can also create
constraints by dragging geometry until the cursor brushes the geometry you
want to constrain. Autodesk Inventor infers constraints as you drag the
geometry into position.
vertically aligned
dragged geometry
snap indicator
Constraints can be viewed and removed using the Show Constraints tool on
the Sketch toolbar. You can view all constraints at once and hide all
constraints using options from the context menu. You can drag a constraint
box to another position.
30 | Chapter 1 Sketches
Placing Dimensions
Dimensions define the size of your sketch. After you add a dimension, you
cannot change the size of a line or curve by dragging it. In Autodesk
Inventor, you cannot apply double dimensions to a sketch.
You can define dimensions with other dimension values. The names of
dimensions are parameters. When you edit a dimension, you can enter an
equation that uses one or more parameters.
You can display sketch dimensions in one of three forms:
You can place driven dimensions with Autodesk Inventor, and you can
change the dimension type of an existing dimension to driven. A driven
dimension displays the size of the geometry, but you can’t edit the
dimension value. Use driven dimensions to display dimensions that would
over constrain a sketch, and to control the adaptivity of a sketch.
For more information on adaptivity, see chapter 6, “Assemblies.”
You can modify dimensions using the Edit Dimension dialog box.
Work Flow | 31
Sketching Tools and Symbols
The sketching tool set includes sketching tools and constraint symbols.
Sketching Tools
Some sketching tools have multiple options. If an arrow appears next to a
tool, click the arrow to open a menu.
Sketching Tools
32 | Chapter 1 Sketches
Sketching Tools (continued)
Mirror Mirror sketch geometry, and apply Use the Symmetry tool to
symmetry constraints edit existing geometry.
Insert
AutoCAD file
34 | Chapter 1 Sketches
Constraint Symbols
As you sketch, when you can apply a constraint its symbol is displayed.
Constraint Symbols
Horizontal
Vertical
Parallel
Perpendicular
Tangent
Efficient Sketching
■ Keep the part sketch simple.
For example, don’t fillet the corners of a sketch if you can apply a fillet to
finished edges of the model to achieve the same result.
■ Draw sketches roughly to shape and size.
Use the grid as a reference.
■ Stabilize the shape before you add dimensions.
Drag endpoints to make sure the proper constraints are applied. Edit
sketch geometry so it has the proper shape and proportions.
■ Use line styles.
Autodesk Inventor looks for geometry with Normal style when it identifies
a profile and path for creating a feature. In complex sketches, profile
selection will be faster and more reliable if you convert any reference
geometry to Construction.
36 | Chapter 1 Sketches
■ Create coincident constraints.
When you start a new line, arc, or circle from an existing line, Autodesk
Inventor can infer a coincident constraint to the midpoint, endpoint, or
interior of the line.
■ Add midpoints to lines.
Click the Point tool and select the sketch style. The snap indicator
highlights when you point to the midpoint of a line. You can also drag an
existing point to the midpoint of a line.
Working Smarter | 37
38
3D Sketches
In This Chapter
2
The 3D sketch environment in Autodesk Inventor™ is ■ Introduction
■ Key features
especially useful for creating routing parts in assemblies.
■ Work flow
This chapter gives you an overview of the 3D sketch
■ Tools and symbols
environment, tools, and the work flow for creating 3D ■ Working smarter
39
Introduction
Routed parts are used to define tubing, cables, and wires that run throughout
assemblies. In Autodesk Inventor, you can work within an assembly to create
a sketch path for a 3D sweep or loft feature and easily reference existing
assembly geometry to position it.
Key Features
3D Sketch You can sketch a 3D line or separate 3D line segments in
any order, and join them with inserted 2D sketch
geometry.
Include You can project 2D sketch geometry from a previously-
Geometry created model into a 3D sketch.
Auto-Bend You can create bends between adjoining line segments
automatically as you sketch.
Adaptive Work You can reference geometry on other parts when you
Features position adaptive points for the 3D lines used in paths.
40 | Chapter 2 3D Sketches
Work Flow
This section provides an overview of how to create and edit a 3D swept
feature. The following is a reference to detailed information in Help about
creating 3D swept features. Additional references to information about
specific tasks are provided throughout this section.
Work Flow | 41
It is recommended that you create 3D sweep features in the following
sequence:
■ Create the 2D geometry you need to include in the 3D sketch.
■ Set the 3D sketch bend radius and 3D snap values in Tools ➤ Document
Settings.
■ Create adaptive work points on other parts to position the 3D line.
■ Project geometry from existing assembly components into the 3D sketch
for part of the path shape.
■ Sketch the path shape, snapping to work points, vertices, and endpoints
of included geometry segments.
■ Place tangent corner bends using the Bend tool in 3D Sketch mode.
■ Right-click and select Finish 3D sketch.
■ Create a 2D profile on a plane perpendicular to the sketch path.
■ Use the Sweep tool to select the 2D profile and the 3D sketch.
■ Define the remaining sweep parameters and click OK to create the sweep
feature.
Sketching 3D Paths
With the tools in the 3D Sketch toolbar, you can sketch a 3D path and
position it within an assembly. If you plan to include 2D geometry in the 3D
sketch, you create the 2D geometry before you create the 3D sketch.
You can right-click a sketch in the browser and edit lines and bends as
needed. If you lose a part or geometry during editing, you can reattach 3D
sketch lines to valid points or vertices.
42 | Chapter 2 3D Sketches
Creating Bends in 3D Paths
You can create bends in 3D lines either manually or automatically. To place
a bend automatically, you use the Auto-Bend feature. To place a bend
manually, you begin with existing 3D sketch geometry.
When you use the 3D Line tool to create lines, bends are automatically added
to corners. If you delete a bend, or the radius is too large to fit line segments,
the corner in the 3D line is restored.
Positioning 3D Paths
You usually create a 3D sketch by point-to-point connections of work points.
These work points can be offset from existing assembly components using
corner offset points that are adaptive. After the points are created you can use
AutoHide to hide all but the final work feature.
Work Flow | 43
3D Sketching Tools
The 3D Sketching tools are similar to some of those available for 2D
sketching and part modeling.
3D Sketching Tools
Working Smarter
Use the following practices to increase efficiency and optimize Autodesk
Inventor performance.
■ When you plan to include 2D geometry in a 3D sketch, create the 2D
geometry before you create the 3D sketch.
■ Create 2D profile geometry after you create 3D sketch geometry
■ When you work in an assembly, create a separate part file for a 3D sweep
feature.
■ Use adaptive work features referenced from other parts to position points
for 3D lines.
■ To simplify the 3D sketch display, use the Auto-hide option on
Application Tools ➤ Part tab.
44 | Chapter 2 3D Sketches
Part Models
In This Chapter
3
This chapter provides an overview of the concepts for ■ Introduction
■ Key features
creating part features with Autodesk Inventor™ software
■ Work flow
tools, and describes the workflow in the part modeling
■ Part modeling tools
45
Introduction
A part model is a collection of features. A feature is usually created from a
sketch. Features are related to one another based on the order in which they
are created. Good planning makes it easier to create and revise a model.
What is a feature?
A feature is a distinct element of a part that can be edited at any time. There
are four types of features: sketched, placed, pattern, and work.
A sketched feature is based on sketch geometry and is defined by the
parameters you enter in a feature creation command. You can edit the sketch
geometry and the feature parameters.
A placed feature, such as a fillet or chamfer, does not require a sketch. To
create a fillet, you enter the radius and select an edge. The standard placed
features are shell, fillet, chamfer, face draft, hole, and thread.
A pattern feature is a rectangular, circular, or mirrored duplication of features
or groups of features. Individual occurrences in a pattern can be suppressed,
as necessary.
Work features are planes, axes, or points used to create and position features.
Key Features
Feature See what a feature looks like as you define it.
preview
Feature editing Edit any aspect of a feature at any time.
Work features Select geometry directly to construct work features.
Derived parts Create a part derived from a base part or a component in
an assembly.
Component Apply colors and reflective qualities to parts, and
color transparent color such as glass when a part obscures
others behind it.
Surface design Construct complex shapes for plastic products, and
increase accuracy and productivity in tooling.
Key Features | 47
Work Flow
This section provides an overview of how to create part models. The
following is a reference to detailed information in Help about creating parts.
Additional references to information about specific tasks are provided
throughout this section.
NOTE If you select Part from the drop-down menu beside the New button,
the standard Part template opens. If the Standard.ipt file is not in the
Autodesk\Inventor5\Templates directory, an error dialog box is displayed.
Work Flow | 49
You can define properties for a part, such as part and project data, material
properties, units of measure, status, and color. The information on the
Summary, Project, Status, and Custom tabs is available outside of Autodesk
Inventor through the Design Assistant or Microsoft® Windows® Explorer.
For more information about Design Assistant, see “Design Assistant” on page
136.
Help Contents Designing models ➤ Features and parts ➤ How to... Create
features ➤ Sketched features
Autodesk Inventor can infer the work feature from the selected geometry. For
example, if you want to create a work axis, just select the end of a cylinder
and a work axis is created through the center of the cylinder.
The visibility of work features can be controlled globally. You can use the work
feature visibility control to simplify the information displayed on the screen.
Help Contents Designing models ➤ Features and parts ➤ How to... Create
features ➤ Work features
Viewing Parts
There are several ways to view a part. The default view is normal to the sketch.
If you right-click in the graphics window and select Isometric View from the
menu, the view vector changes to the isometric orientation. You can select
Previous View from the menu or press F5 to return the model to the last view.
The view commands are located on the Standard toolbar. See “Viewing
Tools” on page 57.
You can rotate a view in 3D. Using the Rotate tool in the Standard toolbar,
you can rotate a view around one of the coordinate axes. When Rotate is
active, press the SPACEBAR to use the Common View tool, a “glass box” with
a view vector on each face and corner.
Work Flow | 51
Modifying Features
Use one of three options on the Browser right-click menu to modify a feature:
Edit Feature, Edit Sketch, or Show Dimensions. Edit Feature opens the dialog
box for that feature. Edit Sketch activates the sketch. Show Dimensions
displays the sketch dimensions so you can edit them in the part modeling
environment.
After you modify a part sketch, update the part to complete the edit and exit
the command.
Help Contents Designing models ➤ Features and parts ➤ How to... Change
features
Help Contents Designing models ➤ Features and parts ➤ How to... Create
features ➤ Sketched features
Corners and hole center point Holes defined as 8-32 UNC x 0.75 inch deep,
selected as hole centers with a 0.375 x 0.25 inch counterbore
Help Contents Designing models ➤ Features and parts ➤ How to... Create
features ➤ Placed features
Work Flow | 53
Creating Patterns of Features
Single features or groups of features can be duplicated and arranged in
patterns. The pattern tools require reference geometry to define the pattern.
You can create patterns using the Rectangular Pattern, Circular Pattern, and
Mirror Feature tools.
You can suppress components in a component pattern without removing
them from the assembly. This makes it easy to replace parts and to create
unique members in assemblies.
Help Contents Designing models ➤ Features and parts ➤ How to... Create
features ➤ Pattern features
When you split a part, the system cuts through the part along the parting line
and deletes half of the part.
Split Part
button select direction for material removal
Viewing Tools
In This Chapter
4
Base solids are models created in other CAD systems and ■ Introduction
■ Key features
saved in SAT or STEP file format. This chapter is an
■ Work flow
overview of the concepts, procedures, and workflow for
■ Base solids tools
Inventor™ 5.
59
Introduction
You can open and use files created in and saved in Pro\ENGINEER® and
other CAD systems with the file extensions SAT (.sat), STEP (.stp), and DWG
(AutoCAD® .dwg, Autodesk Mechanical Desktop® .dwg).
If an imported SAT or STEP file contains a single component, Autodesk
Inventor recognizes it as a base solids part file. If the imported file contains
multiple components, Autodesk Inventor recognizes it as a base solids
assembly with multiple part files.
Key Features
Editing solids Move or delete a base solid face, lengthen or shorten a
base solid, and delete a base solid body.
Retain faces Retain a face from a deleted base solid for use as a profile.
Work Features Create work features for use as construction geometry.
Importing Files
You can import SAT and STEP files created in other CAD systems, and DWG
files created in AutoCAD or Autodesk Mechanical Desktop.
Work Flow | 61
Solids Editing Tools
The solids editing tools are available for editing base solid models that were
created in another CAD system and saved in .sat or .stp file format. To
activate the solids environment and edit these base solids, right-click a
component in the browser and selecting Edit Solid.
Working Smarter
Use these tips to increase your efficiency when you work with base solids.
■ Use the Measure and Precise Input tools to enter values when resizing
a base solid.
Use these toolbuttons on the Standard toolbar during the process to
expand or contract a base solid.
■ Move sketches onto other work planes.
You can constrain the sketches to work planes or use the Reattach Sketch
tool to move sketches onto other work planes.
In This Chapter
5
This chapter presents an overview of the Autodesk ■ Introduction
■ Key features
Inventor™ 5 sheet metal design environment, the work
■ Work flow
flow, and the tools for creating sheet metal parts. You
■ Sheet metal tools
learn how to use part modeling tools to create parts that ■ Working smarter
63
Introduction
In the sheet metal design environment, you can create sheet metal parts and
features using both part modeling tools and sheet metal tools.
Work Flow
This section presents an overview of how to create a sheet metal part. The
following is a reference to detailed information in Help about sheet metal
design. Additional references to information about specific tasks are provided
throughout this section.
Help Contents Industry solutions ➤ Sheet metal ➤ How to... Create sheet
metal features
Key Features | 65
Changing to the Sheet Metal Environment
Sheet metal is the first optimized design environment for part modeling.
Autodesk Inventor recognizes modeling and sheet metal as part file subtypes.
You can change the default part modeling subtype to sheet metal any time
by selecting Applications ➤ Sheet Metal. The sheet metal subtype identifies
the part as sheet metal, enables the Sheet Metal toolbar, and adds the sheet
metal parameters. If you change the subtype back to modeling, the sheet
metal parameters remain, but the system recognizes the modeling subtype.
If you make an error as you work in sheet metal, Design Doctor, a component
in the Design Support System (DSS), is displayed. Design Doctor helps you to
identify and repair errors.
Help Contents Industry solutions ➤ Sheet metal ➤ How to... Create sheet
metal features ➤ Sketched features ➤ Sheet metal faces
Use the Contour Flange tool on the Sheet Metal toolbar to define and create
flanges. The Contour Flange tool provides options for preview and flip offset
and flip direction. You can define the bend, and choose whether or not to
include a bend relief.
Help Contents Industry solutions ➤ Sheet metal ➤ How to... Create sheet
metal features ➤ Placed features
Work Flow | 67
Creating Punches
The Punch tool provides an optimized format for placing iFeatures in sheet
metal parts. Since many features in sheet metal parts are made with turret
presses, the Punch tool replicates that functionality in Autodesk Inventor.
The Punch tool places iFeatures on hole centers. In a drawing, you can place
a hole center mark on the hole center from the sketch.
NOTE To create chamfered holes, use the Hole dialog box so that Autodesk
Inventor can recognize and display the chamfer accurately.
Help Contents Industry solutions ➤ Sheet metal ➤ How to... Create sheet
metal features ➤ Sketched features ➤ Cuts in a sheet metal face
Help Contents Industry solutions ➤ Sheet metal ➤ How to... Create sheet
metal features ➤ Placed features ➤ Sheet metal flanges
Work Flow | 69
Creating Bends and Seams
With Autodesk Inventor, you can create bends within the Face tool or add
them separately. If you create a simple part, such as an enclosure, it’s
probably faster to create the bends as you create the faces. If your part is more
complex or there are different ways to unfold it, you can create bends
separately. This makes revisions simpler. In the Bend command, you can
create bends along sketched or projected lines, and you can configure edges
with a variety of single and double hems. To ensure accuracy in tight bends,
the bend settings can be overridden on an individual feature.
Apply corner seams after you create adjoining faces. When you create a
corner seam, one of the faces can overlap the edge of the other. If the faces
are coplanar, the Corner Seam tool creates a miter or butt joint. You can split
connected faces and rip solid corners on a model to form designated seam
conditions. Several corner relief types are available in Corner Seam.
Using options on Browser context menus, you can convert a bend to a corner
seam and a corner seam to a bend.
Help Contents Industry solutions ➤ Sheet metal ➤ How to... Create sheet
metal features ➤ Placed features
Help Contents Industry solutions ➤ Sheet metal ➤ How to... Create sheet
metal features ➤ Flat pattern
bend relief
bend lines
corner relief
Flat patterns are created with MetalBender Solver software from data M
Software + Engineering.
You can save a sheet metal flat pattern in SAT, DWG, and DXF formats. When
you save a sheet metal flat pattern to DWG or DXF formats, bend lines and
bend tangent lines are placed on separate layers.
Help Index SAT files ➤ Save Autodesk Inventor files to other formats
Work Flow | 71
Sheet Metal Tools
The sheet metal environment toolset includes some of the part modeling and
sketching tools in addition to the sheet metal tools.
In This Chapter
6
In this chapter you learn about assembly tools, and the ■ Introduction
■ Key features
work flow for creating assemblies in Autodesk
■ Work flow
Inventor™ 5. You also learn some advanced techniques
■ Assembly tools
75
Introduction
Traditionally, designers and engineers create a layout, design the parts, then
bring everything together in an assembly. With Autodesk Inventor™, you can
streamline the design process by creating parts in-place, or placing existing
parts as you create an assembly. This assembly-centric design methodology
supports top-down, bottom-up, and middle-out design strategies.
76 | Chapter 6 Assemblies
How do I design parts in-place?
When you create a part in-place, you can select a face of an existing part as
the sketch plane for the new part. Selecting a mating surface is a good start
for defining your design. You can project a loop, edge, or series of edges from
one face of a part into the sketch for another part. When the topology
changes, the new sketch that was projected also changes.
Introduction | 77
Key Features
Adaptive Adapt parts to your assembly precisely, without specifying
technology exact dimensions or setting up relationships between
parts.
Design in place Create and modify parts in the context of an assembly.
Design layouts Use layouts to design the assembly and parts before
committing to 3D solids.
English and Create assemblies containing parts with different systems
metric of measurement.
iMates Store predefined constraint information with a part, and
then use the drag method to place the part in an assembly.
Replace a part with another part and still preserve the
intelligent iMate constraints.
Composite Collect individual iMates into a single entity for accurate
iMate positioning of parts in an assembly.
Large Work with large assemblies using the Autodesk Inventor
assemblies segmented database.
Pack and go Package an Autodesk Inventor assembly and all of its
reference files in a single location.
Associative Copy associatively an edge or connected loop of edges
sketch from an existing part in an assembly to create a sketch for
projection another part.
78 | Chapter 6 Assemblies
Work Flow
This section presents an overview of how to create assemblies in Autodesk
Inventor 5. The following is a reference to detailed information in Help about
creating assemblies. Additional references to information about specific tasks
are provided throughout this section.
■ Can you modify an existing assembly or do you have to start a new one?
■ Can you break the larger assembly down into subassemblies?
■ Can you use existing parts or iFeaatures?
■ Which constraints drive the functionality of the design?
Work Flow | 79
Positioning Components
There are several ways to move components. If a component is not grounded
or completely constrained, you can drag it in the assembly space. When you
drag a component in an assembly, you can dynamically apply mate, flush,
insert, tangent, and angle constraints. Constraints remove some degrees of
freedom from a component; you can drag a component along the remaining
degrees of freedom.
A grounded part or subassembly is fixed to the assembly coordinate system.
This grounded state is indicated by a push pin on the component icon in the
browser. Any component in an assembly can be grounded. The first
component of an assembly is automatically grounded, although you can
turn the grounded state off. A constrained component has relationships to
other components that define its location.
The behavior of grounded and constrained components differs. For example,
if you use the Move or Rotate tool to temporarily relocate a constrained
component, it returns to its constrained position when updated. If you move
a grounded component with Move or Rotate, any components that are
constrained to it move to the new location of the grounded part.
You can view degrees of freedom for a part in the Properties dialog box
available from the right-click menu in the browser. In the Properties dialog
box, on the Occurrence tab, you can turn the Degrees of Freedom option on
or off. The Degrees of Freedom option is also located in the View menu.
80 | Chapter 6 Assemblies
Adding Components
In the assembly environment, you can create a new part or subassembly or
place an existing one. When you create a new component in-place, you can
place the sketch plane in the current view or constrain it to the face of an
existing component. When you place an existing component, you place it in
space and add constraints later.
When a component is active, the rest of the assembly dims in the browser.
Only one component can be active at a time. The assembly itself must be
active to create or place a component.
NOTE Finish Edit is not available in the context menu while geometry is
selected in the graphics window.
You can use the Create Component tool to create a component in place in an
assembly. You have the option to create a work feature and constrain it to an
existing face, or to place the sketch plane normal to the view with the origin
at a selected point.
Derived parts and assemblies are created from existing parts and assemblies.
A link exists between the original and a derived part or assembly. Derived
parts or assemblies are updated to changes in the original. You can break the
link and no longer update a derived part or assembly with changes to the
original.
Work Flow | 81
The Derived Component tool in the Features toolbar is used to create derived
parts or assemblies.
Creating Patterns
You can create patterns of parts, groups of parts, and subassemblies. These
patterns are unique assembly objects. Component patterns can include
constraints. You can suppress a pattern or an individual instance in a pattern
without removing it.
Replacing Components
When you replace a part in an assembly, Autodesk Inventor places the new
part with its coordinate axes aligned with the existing part. However, you
must apply constraints, because all constraints on the existing component
are lost during replacement.
82 | Chapter 6 Assemblies
Adding Constraints to Components
You can add mate, angle, flush, angle, tangent, and insert constraints to
components in assemblies. Each type of constraint has multiple solutions.
The solutions are defined by the direction of a vector normal to the
component.
The Place Constraint tool displays the Place Constraint dialog box for placing
mate, angle, tangent and insert constraints.
Work Flow | 83
Tangent Constrains a curved surface to a plane or another curved
surface. An outside solution places the components so
both exterior faces touch. An inside solution places the
components so the exterior face of one component
touches the interior face of the other.
Insert Constrains a cylinder flush into a hole. Applies a
concentric-directed mate between the selected circular
arcs. To apply the constraint, select the circles on the
cylinder and the hole that you want to mate.
NOTE Insert constraints are limited to flat surfaces that are perpendicular to
the cylinder and hole axes.
You can apply mate, flush, tangent, angle, and insert constraints to
components by holding the ALT key and dragging the part into position.
With this click and drag method, there is no need to enter the constraint
command.
84 | Chapter 6 Assemblies
Constraints may limit the motion of parts. Depending on the geometry,
degrees of freedom are removed or restricted. For example, if you apply a
tangent constraint to two spheres, all six degrees of freedom remain but you
can’t translate one of the spheres in just one direction.
Work Flow | 85
Using Drive Constraints
After you constrain a component, you can animate mechanical movement
by changing the value of the constraint. The Drive Constraint tool
repositions a part by stepping through a range of constraint values. You can
rotate a component, for example, by driving an angular constraint from zero
to 360 degrees. The Drive Constraint tool is limited to one constraint. You
can drive additional constraints by using the Parameters tool to create
algebraic relationships between constraints.
You enter information in the Drive Constraint dialog box to define the drive
constraint and to control motion.
Reverse Step
Stop Forward Step
Forward Record
Reverse
Maximum
Minimum
86 | Chapter 6 Assemblies
two bricks created with 300 mm offset, and
cylinder 150 mm long created in space
Mate constrains
cylinder to first brick
Work Flow | 87
Creating 2D Layouts
All of the techniques used to create parts can be applied to 2D layouts. You
can construct a 2D layout by creating parts and sketching their functional
aspects, such as outlines and pivot points, without creating features. For
example, you can create a mechanism out of 2D sketched parts, constrain the
joints together, and drive the constraints to observe the motion. You can
change the size of parts simply by dragging their sketches. After you define
the relationships, finalize the shapes and create the features.
88 | Chapter 6 Assemblies
Checking for Interference
Autodesk Inventor can check for interference between sets of components
and among the components in a set. To speed up the process, you can select
the components that you want to check. For example, if you revise a part in
an assembly, you can limit the interference check to the components affected
by the change.
interference
Work Flow | 89
Creating Design Views
A design view preserves an assembly display configuration so that you can
recall it by name later. You can save the following settings:
■ Visibility on/off
■ Enabled on/off
■ View orientation
■ Zoom factor
■ Browser expansion
■ Color overrides
The Design Views icon in the browser toolbar displays the Design View dialog
box for creating, storing, recalling, and updating design views. When
naming design views, do not use the default name. The program uses the
default name to save the current view when you close the assembly.
90 | Chapter 6 Assemblies
Restructuring Assemblies
The structure of an assembly is the organization of the components.
Grouping parts into subassemblies simplifies the browser. Subassemblies can
also reflect manufacturing processes. With Autodesk Inventor, you can
change the contents of subassemblies or create new ones at any point during
the design process and over the life span of a product.
The top level of an assembly structure can consist of parts and subassemblies.
Each subassembly can consist of parts and more subassemblies. Moving a
component (a part or subassembly) into a subassembly is demoting. Moving
a component out of a subassembly is promoting. If you promote or demote a
component, the system deletes the constraints.
Work Flow | 91
Producing Bills of Material
You can create a bill of material (BOM) for an assembly, which lists all
components and their properties. The order in which the components
appear in the browser is the default order for components in a BOM. You can
sort components in a BOM by any property type. You can also create a BOM
listing only selected parts.
Packaging Assemblies
The Pack and Go function in Autodesk Inventor packages your assembly and
all of its referenced files in a single location. This is particularly useful when
you need to:
92 | Chapter 6 Assemblies
Assembly Tools
The assembly tools are available when an assembly file is open and active. If
you create or modify a part from within an assembly, the assembly toolbar is
not active while the part modeling toolbars are active.
Assembly Tools
Assembly Tools | 93
Assembly Tools (continued)
94 | Chapter 6 Assemblies
Working Smarter
Use the following tips to efficiently create and manage your assemblies.
Managing Components
■ Assign different colors to components.
Select colors from the Color list on the Standard toolbar.
■ Use the browser to find components.
Point to a component in the browser to highlight it in the graphics
window.
■ Use color to identify component groups.
Using attributes, find components in specific subsystems or from specific
vendors and color code them in named design views.
Working Smarter | 95
Managing Assembly Constraints
■ Start constraining components by mating planar faces.
Add tangent, angular, and flush constraints later.
■ Apply constraints after features are stable.
Avoid constraints between features that might be removed later in the
design process.
■ Drag components to check translational degrees of freedom.
You can see how a component is constrained.
■ Control feature adaptivity by making the sketch or the feature
adaptive.
Right-click the feature in the browser and select Properties. You can select
Feature, Sketch or both to be adaptive. Setting both to be adaptive is
equivalent to selecting Adaptive from the context menu.
96 | Chapter 6 Assemblies
iFeatures
In This Chapter
7
The iFeatures in AutoDesk Inventor™ 5 are features that ■ Introduction
■ Key features
you can create, extract, and reuse in your designs. This
■ Work flow
chapter gives you an overview of how iFeatures work
■ Working smarter
environment.
97
Introduction
You can create features called iFeatures on parts, and then extract and apply
them to other parts. Through the use of iFeatures and the family-of-parts
publishing in Autodesk Inventor, designs can be shared in a collaborative
design process.
What is an iFeature?
An iFeature file name has the .ide extension. An iFeature works like a
template, copying features from one part and applying them to others.
iFeatures are not linked together, so each instance is independent. You can
use iFeatures as standard parts that require no modification, or custom parts
that can be modified before insertion.
98 | Chapter 7 iFeatures
Key Features
iFeature dialog Create iFeatures from one comprehensive dialog box
box
iFeature Create and share catalogs of complex iFeatures that
catalogs promote “best practices” within your organization.
Design reuse Reuse existing, proven designs to speed up development
time and improve quality.
Company Create feature catalogs that reflect your company’s design
standards standards and manufacturing processes.
Work Flow
This section presents an overview of the procedures for using iFeatures. The
following is a reference to detailed information in Help about iFeatures.
Additional references to information about specific tasks are provided
throughout this section.
Key Features | 99
Creating iFeatures
On the Features toolbar, you expand the View Catalog button to display the
iFeature buttons. When you click the Create iFeature button, the Create
iFeature dialog box is displayed. The Create iFeature dialog box is used to
create new iFeatures and to redefine existing iFeatures.
Index iFeatures
Inserting iFeatures
The iFeatures are not linked, so you can insert multiple instances in a part
and implement each one independently. The Insert iFeatures button displays
the Insert iFeature dialog box for inserting an iFeature into an active part.
Here you browse to and select a file with an .ide extension.
The browser in the Insert iFeature wizard highlights the active step as you
proceed through the steps to select, position, size, and precisely position the
iFeature.
You can use a face, work plane, or reference sketch geometry, such as a
sketched line, to position an iFeature on a part. You can also drag an iFeature
from the catalog into the active window.
If an iFeature has a document attached to it with instructions about
placement, select the Information button.
browser
Information
translation symbol
rotation symbol
Working Smarter
■ Use the Equations tool to name dimensions in the part sketch.
When you create an iFeature from a part, Autodesk Inventor
automatically selects named dimensions as Size Parameters. It is easier to
insert an iFeature if the Size Parameters have meaningful names.
■ Name position geometry.
You can simplify the placement of the iFeature by giving the position
geometry descriptive names.
■ Add documentation to your iFeatures.
Open an iFeature in Autodesk Inventor and drag a file, such as a
Microsoft® Word document or HTML file, from Microsoft Windows
Explorer into Autodesk Inventor. To activate an information button in the
Insert iFeature dialog box, expand 3rd Party in the browser, right-click the
document, and select Placement Help.
In This Chapter
8
Presentation views in Autodesk Inventor™ are the ■ Introduction
■ Key features
design views you create from assemblies. This chapter
■ Presentation tools
gives you an overview of the tools and work flow used
■ Working smarter
assembly views.
103
Introduction
With presentation documents, you can create exploded views, and position
assembly components. You can also create an animation of the exploded
view process.
Key Features
Automatic Automatically explode assemblies and subassemblies.
Explode
Tweaks and Edit tweaks and trails to revise exploded views.
Trails
Animation Record animations of explosions.
When you create presentation views, you can select different design views of
the assembly. For example, if you document assembly procedures for a car
engine, you could have an assembly of the complete engine and its
accessories. The exploded view of the accessories would show the complete
engine, with tweaks for components such as the alternator and mounting
hardware. If you document the timing belt installation, you create an
assembly design view with the visibility turned off for the accessories, valve
covers, and any other parts that obscure the view. You select that design view
when you create the presentation view for the timing belt.
Tweaking Components
When you manually tweak a component, you move it a certain distance along
a vector. You might tweak a component several times to move it into position.
Although tweaks are usually orthogonal, you can tweak at an angle or rotate
the component. Each tweak appears in the browser under the component.
The Tweak Components tool on the Presentations toolbar displays the Tweak
Component dialog box, where you can define tweaks.
Automatic explode was used to tweak the four bushings away from the yoke
in the following illustration.
Editing Tweaks
You may need to adjust the position of tweaked components to create an
exploded view. You can add a new tweak to the component, or edit the values
of existing tweaks. Parts can be added to existing tweaks. You edit tweaks
using the Tweak Component dialog box or in the browser using the Tweak
View filter.
Animating Tweaks
In Autodesk Inventor, you can animate an exploded view based on the tweak
history. You can edit the tweak history to change the order or grouping of
tweaks. You can also create an AVI file of the animation for manufacturing,
service or sales documentation.
NOTE The animation tool uses the tweak history to move the components. If
you edited the trails, the components will still follow the tweak path.
You can arrange tweak sequences for animations. With a presentation view
active, the Filter button in the browser toolbar contains the options for
animating tweaks.
Reverse By Tweak
Reverse By Interval Play Forward
Forward By Interval Auto Reverse
Forward By Tweak Play Reverse
Pause
Record
Presentation Tools
Working Smarter
You can use the following techniques to create presentation documents
quickly and efficiently.
In This Chapter
9
Drawings are used to document parts and assemblies. ■ Introduction
■ Key features
This chapter provides an overview of the drawing tools
■ Work flow
in Autodesk Inventor™ 5 and the work flow for creating
■ Drawing tools
111
Introduction
Autodesk Inventor links drawings to the underlying part models and
assemblies. Any changes to a part are reflected in the drawing. You can also
revise parts and assemblies by changing model dimensions while you are in
a drawing. This two-way communication of changes helps ensure the
documentation represents the latest version of a component.
Creating Drawings
Autodesk Inventor comes with a standard template to use as the starting
point for your drawings. The default drawing template is determined by the
drafting standard you select when you install Autodesk Inventor. Template
files have the standard drawing extension (.idw). Autodesk Inventor stores
template files in the Autodesk\Inventor5\ Templates folder.
NOTE When you select New Drawing from the drop-down menu next to the
New button, Autodesk Inventor looks for a file named Standard.idw in the
Autodesk\Inventor5\Templates folder.
You start with a drawing template when you create a new drawing. When
you select File ➤ New or click the New button, choose a drawing template
from the Default, English or Metric tab. The default drawing is a blank sheet
of paper with a border and title block. The English and Metric tabs contain
the templates for those units of measure.
Help Contents Documenting designs ➤ Drawings and views ➤ How to... Set
up drawings
Customizing Drawings
Drawing templates can be customized. You can modify the drawing border
and title block to comply with your company’s specifications. Any changes
apply only to the current drawing, unless you save them in a drawing
template.
You can create a custom drafting standard based on an existing standard. You
save drawings with custom settings in the Autodesk\Inventor5\Templates folder.
Help Contents Documenting designs ➤ Drawings and views ➤ How to... Set
up drawings ➤ Set the drafting standard ➤ Create a custom
drafting standard
The Format menu also contains tools to define borders, title blocks, and
symbols, and to display the Dimension Styles and Text Styles dialog boxes.
Creating Views
With Autodesk Inventor, you create and manipulate a variety of views. The
tools for creating and working with drawing views are located on the Drawing
Management toolbar. The Create View tool displays the Create View dialog
box. The Create View dialog box is used to add a design view from an assembly,
and to create projected, auxiliary, section, detail, draft, and broken views.
Projected view Projects from the base view to a desired location. The
relationship of the projected view to the base view is
determined by the orientation of the projected view.
Auxiliary view Projects from an edge or line in a base view. The resulting
view is aligned with its base view.
Section view Creates a full, half, offset, or aligned section view from a
base view. Creates a view projection line for an auxiliary
or partial view. A section view is aligned with its base view.
Detail view Creates and places a detailed drawing view of a specified
portion of a base view. The view is created without an
alignment to the base view.
Draft view Creates a blank view with the sketch environment
activated for drafting. You can import AutoCAD® data
into a draft view, and you can copy a draft view and paste
it into the same or another drawing.
Broken view Creates a view with breaks for situations where the
component view exceeds the length of the drawing, or
contains large areas of nondescript geometry, like the
center portion of a shaft.
Help Contents Documenting designs ➤ Drawings and views ➤ How to... Work
with drawing views
NOTE When you rotate a view, if a section view cutting plane line is not
updated, you can edit the section line as you would edit a sketch, including
constraints.
Adding Sheets
You can add multiple sheets to a drawing. Use the browser to move views
between sheets. Only one sheet is active at a time; inactive sheets are
dimmed.
The first folder at the top of the browser is Drawing Resources. You can
expand Drawing Resources to show the sheet formats, title blocks, borders,
and sketched symbols that are available to use in the drawing. You can
customize, add to, or delete items from Drawing Resources.
Help Contents Documenting designs ➤ Drawings and views ➤ How to... Set
up drawings ➤ Work with drawing sheets
Documenting Designs ➤ Drawings and views ➤ Reference...
Drawing setup ➤ New sheet
You can specify how a dimension should look, capture the dimension style,
and apply the style to any dimension in a drawing.
Snap indicator shows that you selected As you drag the new dimension into position,
this dimension as the reference for the snap indicator turns on when you are
aligning a new dimension aligned with the selected dimension
Tools for creating notes, symbols, center marks, centerlines, and balloons in
drawings are located on the Drawing Annotation toolbar. The Parts List tool
inserts a parts list into a drawing.
Notes Add notes with the Text or Leader Text tool. Both Text and
Leader Text use a word processor with minor formats such
as font type, bold, and special symbols. Leader Text
attached to geometry is associative, and moves with the
drawing view.
Symbols Add symbols with the appropriate symbol button. You
can create leaders for symbols, and you can place a symbol
for surface texture. You can copy and paste symbols for
feature control frames, surface texture, datum IDs, datum
targets, and weld notes, and user defined symbols with
and without leaders.
Center marks Add center marks with the Center Mark tool. The center
mark extension lines are automatically sized to fit the
geometry.
Centerlines Add centerlines with the Center Line tool, located on the
Center Mark button menu. Autodesk Inventor supports
three types of centerlines: bisector, centered pattern, and
axial.
Balloons Add balloons to individual parts or all parts at once with
the Balloon tool. You can add balloons to a custom part
after it is added to the parts list.
NOTE For centered patterns, do not close a circle by selecting the starting point
as the ending point. Select each point once, and then right-click and select Create.
Drag the endpoint of the line to the starting point to close the circle.
Hole/Thread Notes Create a hole or thread note Available only for holes
with a leader line created using the Hole
feature tool in parts.
Create a centerline
Sketch Toolbar
Property Create text field; display text from Select source for text.
Field Properties menu or keyboard
Define text format.
input
Only in title blocks.
Create spline
Create ellipse
Insert
AutoCAD file
127
128
Collaboration
In This Chapter
10
This chapter provides an overview of the Autodesk ■ Introduction
■ Key features
Inventor™ tools for managing, capturing, and tracking
■ Multiple user environment
designs in a multiuser environment.
■ Engineer’s Notebook
■ Design Assistant
Detailed information about collaboration is available in
■ Design Assistant tools
the Autodesk Inventor Help. References to specific ■ Working smarter
chapter.
129
Introduction
Autodesk Inventor supports collaborative work groups and concurrent
design. It provides a framework for effective communication, and tools for
managing files, capturing design information, and tracking designs. The use
of Projects ensures that Autodesk Inventor can always find files and all
referenced files. The Engineer’s Notebook and Design Assistant provide the
means for capturing and tracking designs. For more information about
Projects, see “Projects in Autodesk Inventor” on page 11.
What is collaboration?
Collaboration is cooperative work on a project by more than one person.
Multiple users can work simultaneously in the context of the same assembly
and share information with others. In the Autodesk Inventor concurrent
design environment, a file reservation system warns others when someone is
editing a file.
Reserving Files
Autodesk Inventor has a file reservation system that warns others when a file
is being used. If one person tries to edit a file and another has it reserved, the
file reservation feature issues a warning. The designer can open the reserved
file, if necessary, and make changes. For example, if the person who reserved
a file is out of the office, someone else can still access and change the file for
a high priority project.
You can open and save previous versions of files. If you save a previous
version of a file, you can save it as a new file or overwrite the current version.
When you save a previous version of a file, a message is displayed warning
that you are overwriting a file.
Engineer’s Notebook
The Engineer’s Notebook is a tool for creating notes and views to document
the history of your design. The changes you make to a model are updated in
the note view automatically. If you prefer to keep it from updating, you can
freeze a view in the note. You can customize Engineer’s Notebook with a set
of options. Among these options is one to keep the notes attached to
geometry that you need to delete.
Creating Notes
The basic elements displayed in a note are the comment box and the view
box. In notes, you can enter comments, paste text or illustrations from
another program, or create a link to an external document. For example, you
could paste in the calculations you made for a feature or create a link to an
FEA analysis.
Organizing Notes
All design notes for a part or assembly are displayed in the Engineer’s
Notebook for that model. It is a good idea to include the name of the feature
in the note name. You can sort notes by Name, Author, Date, or Text. You can
place notes in a designated folder in Engineer’s Notebook.
NOTE If a file is open in Autodesk Inventor and you need to change its
properties in Windows Explorer, first save the file in Autodesk Inventor to avoid
losing unsaved changes to properties.
Use the Properties dialog box to select a property group and the properties to
display in Design Assistant, move a property between the Available
Properties and Selected Properties, and arrange the order of properties in the
Selected Properties list. You can manage which properties are displayed for a
file, using the Select Properties to View dialog box.
Help Index Design Assistant ➤ properties ➤ How to... Set and change
design properties
Creating Reports
With Design Assistant, you can create reports that list directory structure or
files and their design properties. Design Assistant creates text documents that
list each folder or file as a line item. The Hierarchy report presents the
directory structure, listing the path names for each folder. The Design
Property report uses a table format to list each file in the directory and its
property values.
■ Design Assistant
■ Autodesk Inventor Open dialog box
■ Autodesk Inventor menu when an assembly file is open
■ Windows Start menu
■ Windows Explorer
Help Index Design Assistant ➤ finding files ➤ Find Autodesk Inventor files
Design Assistant
■ Add properties information to templates.
Create part, assembly, and drawing templates that contain basic
information, such as project name and cost center. Set up physical
properties in part templates to reflect common materials.
■ Create custom properties.
Create a custom property to track information for special reports.
A B
adaptive assemblies, 76 base features, 48
adaptive technology, 78 base solids, 59
Animation dialog box, 109 editing, 61
annotations in drawings, 119 tools and toolbuttons, 62
assemblies bends, sheet metal, 70
bills of material (BOMs), 92 bills of material (BOMs), 92
browser, using, 96 browser, 6
component visibility, 95 browser filter, 58
components, adding, 81
components, creating in place, 81 C
constraining, 96 center marks in drawings, 119
creating, 79 centerlines in drawings, 119
design views, 90 Change Arrowhead dialog box, 118
editing, 80 collaboration, 130
file structures, planning, 95 collaborative environments, 132
grounded components, 80 composite iMates, 78
interference, checking, 89 constraints
large, 78 adaptive, 86
restructuring, 91 assemblies, 83, 96
viewing, 57 iMates, 78
views, presentation, 105 sketching, 30
working smarter, 95 symbols for sketching, 35
assembly components coordinate system, 58
creating in place, 81 Create iFeature dialog box, 100
demoting and promoting, 91 Create In-Place Component dialog box, 79
first, 79 Create Parts List dialog box, 120
grounded, 80 Create View dialog box, 117
loading and updating, 95 cuts, sheet metal, 68
moving, 80
assembly file templates, 9 D
assembly tools and toolbuttons, 93
Autodesk Point A, 21 databases, segmented, 78
degrees of freedom, viewing, 80
Autodesk Streamline, 21
derived assemblies, 77, 82
Autodesk Web page, 23
derived parts, 77, 82
auxiliary views in drawings, 115
141
design assistant drawings (continued)
tools and toolbuttons, 139 tools, annotation, 122
working smarter, 140 tools, drawing management, 121
Design Doctor, 20 tools, sketch, 124
design layouts, 78 views, creating, 115
Design Support System (DSS) components, 19 working smarter, 124
Design Views dialog box, 90 driven dimensions, 31
design views in drawings, 115 DSS (Design Support System), 19
design-in-place, 78
detail views in drawings, 115 E
dialog boxes Edit Dimension dialog box, 31, 37, 117
Animation, 109 Edit Feature dialog box, 52
Change Arrowhead, 118 Edit Parts List dialog box, 120
Create iFeature, 100 Engineer’s Notebook
Create In-Place Component, 79 creating, 134
Create Parts List, 120 working smarter, 140
Create View, 117 English and metric, 78
Design Views, 90 environments
Dimension Styles, 115 3D sketching, 40
Dimension Tolerance, 118 assembly, 76
Drafting Standards, 115 collaborative, 132
Edit Dimension, 31, 37, 117 drawing, 112
Edit Feature, 52 part modeling, 47
Edit Parts List, 120 sheet metal, 64
Insert iFeature, 101, 102 sketching, 27
Interference Detected, 89 solid modeling, 60
New file, 49
Place Constraint, 83 F
Properties, 80, 113
faces, sheet metal, 67
Resolve Link, 14, 15
faces, splitting, 54
Select Properties to View, 137
features
Text Styles, 115
base, 48, 50
Tweak Component, 106
editing, 52
dialog boxes, using, 7
patterns, 54
Dimension Styles dialog box, 115
persistent, 46
Dimension Tolerance dialog box, 118
placed, 53
dimensioning sketches, 31
swept, 41
dimensions
driven, 31 tools for creating, 55
work, 50
model, in drawings, 117
field text in drawings, 113
docking browsers and toolbars, 6
files
draft views in drawings, 115
concurrently used, reserving, 133
Drafting Standards dialog box, 115
previous versions, opening, 133
drafting standards in drawings, 114
referenced, 132
drafting standards in templates, 10
flanges, sheet metal, 69
drawing files (*.dwg), managing, 16
flat patterns for sheet metal, 64, 70
drawing templates, 9
drawings
adding sheets, 116 G
annotating, 119 Getting Started, online, 19
creating, 112, 113
customizing, 114 H
dimensions, creating, 117 Help, 19
parts lists, creating, 120 hole features, 53
plotting and printing, 120 holes, sheet metal, 68
sketch overlays, 120
templates, 114
142
I presentation templates, 9
iFeature catalogs, 99 presentation views, 105, 110
iFeatures, 98 printing drawings, 120
catalog, using, 101 profiles, 26
creating, 100 projected views in drawings, 115
file type, 101 Projects file system
inserting, 101 creating projects, 12
working smarter, 102 opening projects, 13
iMates, 78, 81 path types, 14
import/export data setting projects folders, 11
AutoCAD (*.dwg), 16 Properties dialog box, 80, 113
Mechanical Desktop (*.dwg), 17
SAT (*.sat), 17 R
STEP (*.stp, *.ste, *.step), 18 RedSpark, 21
Insert iFeature dialog box, 101, 102 Resolve Link dialog box, 14, 15
interfaces, component, 78, 81 restructuring assemblies, 91
Interference Detected dialog box, 89
S
L seams, sheet metal, 70
Learning Autodesk Inventor, 22 section views in drawings, 115
segmented databases, 78
N Select mode, 58
New file dialog box, 49 Select mode, using, 8
Select Properties to View dialog box, 137
P sheet metal
bends, 65, 70, 74
parameters, 31 cuts, 68
parent/child parts in models, 52
design elements, 74
part file templates, 9
environment, 64
part models, 46
faces, 65, 67
base features, 50
flanges, 65, 69
creating, 48, 49
flat patterns, 64, 65, 70
editing in drawings, 112, 117
holes, 68
feature-based, 46
models, creating, 65
holes, adding, 53
seams, 70
modifying, 52
settings, 66
parent/child relationships, 52
stamped features, 64
pattern features, 54
templates, 9
placed features, 53
sheet metal tools and toolbuttons, 72
planning, 48
sheets, drawing, 116
sketch planes, 52
sketch environment, 28
sketched features, 52
Sketch mode, using, 8
splitting faces, 54
sketch overlays in drawings, 120
templates, creating for files, 49
sketch planes, 52
tools and toolbuttons, 53, 55
sketched features, 46
views tools and toolbuttons, 57
sketched features, adding to models, 52
working smarter, 58, 62
sketches, 26, 28
path sketches, 41, 42
constraining, 30
bends, 42
constraint symbols, 35
positioning, 43
dimensioning, 31
pattern features, 46
geometry styles, 28
persistent features, 46
modifying, 29, 31
Place Constraint dialog box, 83
precise values, 28
placed features, 46
sharing, 58
plotting drawings, 120
tools and toolbuttons, 32
Point A, Autodesk, 21
viewing, 57
precise values in sketches, 29
working smarter, 36
143
sketching tools, 3D, 43 V
solid modeling environment, 60 views
solids, 46, 61 animating exploded, 108
stamped features in sheet metal, 64 exploded assembly, 105
Streamline, Autodesk, 21 moving in drawings, 116
sweep features, 42 presentation view toolbuttons, 110
symbols in drawing annotations, 119 presentation, creating, 106
rotating, 116
T trails in exploded, 108
templates, drawing, 114 working smarter, 110
templates, Inventor file, 9 views tools and toolbuttons, 57
Text Styles dialog box, 115 Visual Syllabus, 20
title blocks in drawings, 114
toolbars, using, 6 W
tools and toolbuttons, 55 Web page, Autodesk, 23
assembly, 93 What’s New in this release, 20
base solids, 62 work features, 46, 50
design assistant, 139 work features, adaptive, 44
drawing annotation, 122 working smarter
drawing management, 121 assemblies, 95
drawing sketch, 124 design assistant, 140
presentation views, 110 drawings, 124
sheet metal, 72 Engineer’s Notebook, 140
sketching, 32 iFeatures, 102
training and information, 22, 23 part models, 58, 62
tutorials, online, 20 presentation views, 110
Tweak Component dialog box, 106 sheet metal, 74
tweaking components, 106 sketching, 36
U
user interface, 5
144