AutoDesk Inventor Series: Software, Tutorial, Training And Free Download

The AutoDesk Inventor series is 3D solid modeling computer-aided design program created and marketed by AutoDesk, Inc. This program was introduced in 1999 and was included by the company in their AutoDesk Mechanical Design series as an approach to counter the rising number of mechanical design clients that were shifting to other similar competitor programs.

The AutoDesk Inventor functions as a more advanced parametric feature based modeler compared to another 3D design software called AutoCAD. AutoDesk Inventor achieves and employs these advanced techniques by utilizing a concept called “Functional Design.” Users of this program primarily begin making 3D prototypes of products by designing parts which can later on be put together to form an assembly. The AutoDesk Inventor is outstanding for making 3D product prototypes because a user can alter the dimensions of the parts without compromising the design of the whole assembly by making automatic updates according to the dimension changes.

AutoDesk made four different versions for the Inventor according to the needs of clients: AutoDesk Inventor Suite (AIS), AutoDesk Inventor Professional – Simulation (AIP Simulation), AutoDesk Inventor Professional – Routed Systems (AIP Routing), and AutoDesk Inventor Professional (AIP) with both Routing and Simulation configurations.

AIS has all the primary tools for parametric modeling, and allows users to use AutoDesk Mechanical Desktop, AutoCAD, and AutoCAD Mechanical. Meanwhile, the AIP is configured with various tools for industry-specific applications.

AutoCAD users who have decided to upgrade to AutoDesk Inventor may want to refer to tutorial websites for useful updates, techniques, tips, and tricks. CAD Digest offers a wide list of comprehensive articles on subjects such as creating curvy texts, adjusting patterns, static diagrams, and command aliases. Some industry-specific applications such as F1 race cars also have their own AutoDesk Inventor sections that are available for download. There are also training schools for AutoDesk Inventor Design that can help users learn and perfect the techniques for AutoDesk Inventor Design. Interested users can check the websites of schools for available schedules and classes.

Although AutoDesk Inventor releases have code names taken from popular vehicles and well-known inventors and scientists, most programs available for download have the release numbers instead. Therefore, users can find available software by searching for release numbers. The official AutoDesk website is one of the best sites to find the programs. AutoDesk currently offers the AutoDesk Inventor LT for free in their official website. Other websites where AutoDesk Inventor and plug-ins are available for free are freedownloadmanager.org, winpcware.com, and brothersoft.com. For more information, tips, and plug-ins, users can also visit Autodesk forum sites and AutoCAD forums such as cadforum.cz.


Sources:
"Autodesk Inventor." Wikipedia.org. 23 Nov. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autodesk_Inventor

"Autodesk Inventor Tutorials." caddigest.com. 23 Nov. 2007. http://www.caddigest.com/subjects/adsk_inventor/tu torials.htm

"Autodesk Inventor Tutorials." f1inschools.us. 23 Nov. 2007. http://www.f1inschools.us/item.asp?itmID=31

"AutoDesk Inventor Training Classes." synergis.com. 23 Nov. 2007. http://www.synergis.com/files/solutions/manufactur ing/products_mcad_inventor_training.shtml