Autodesk Inventor

[#1]

200-300+ USD doesn't count in my book, I don't need it that bad. What I meant is there's no direct translation abilities inherent to IV, like there is in SW.

[#2]

There is a way. Its not for free though. .

[#3]

And IIRC, they are usually 1 year behind with their Inventor add-in...

[#4]

Why not just use Inventor View, I'm pretty sure you can install it anywhere for free. You have it installed it's part of the installation of Inventor or download it here

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=10535296&siteID=123112

[#5]

For 3D PDFs I highly recommend SimLab Composer/3D PDF. It's a stand-alone application that can import Inventor parts and assemblies along with a slew of other 3D model types. I use it quite often for non-CAD people. The only draw back is that you have to use Adobe Reader as opposed to some other PDF viewer. I also use SimLab as a bridge to get my Inventor models into Blender (a free and open-source 3D app).

http://www.simlab-soft.com/

[#6]

Is there a way to hide parts in Inventor View?

Thx

Kev

[#7]

no, unfortunately ...View, Print...that's about it

[#8]

hmmm

No one has mentioned Navisworks

We do all of our design reviews in Navisworks.

The boardroom PC only has Freedom on it, so the project/area/dicipline lead creates an nwd prior to the meeting.

[#9]

Yes, 3D PDF would be awesome.  I have been struggling all week trying to get a 3D drawing to a customer.  Autodesks solution is to use DWFx.  Unfortunately, this is a government agency and they cant install any software on their machines (I run into that ALL the time).  That pretty much screws me on getting a 3D file to them.  AD says that they can open the dwfx from their browser, but it fails.  I cant even get it to work on some of our office machines.

I'm pretty sure Publisher has 3D PDF capabilities so I know Autodesk can do it.  Wish they would get off this dwfx ride and get with the real world.