Autodesk Inventor

[#1]

Hello,

I just talked to the owner of the comapny I work for about getting Inventor insead of getting Solidworks. Does anybody know of any sources that has some pro and cons of both software. I perfer Inventor, since I am Autodesk loyal. I also got my two Certifications in Inventor at AU 2009. I have used Inventor since R11 and love the user interface compared to solidworks. Since i know Inventor, I can save the company lots on training for me and others, since I can train them. Any inoformation Inv. vs sw. will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Sam

[#2 · Accepted solution]

Like automobiles - they are essentially identical.
Like automobile salesmen - any CAD salesman worth his salt should be able to make the alternatives look silly.
Do you have to deal with customers/clients using other software or is all of your CAD data in-house?

Inventor includes AutoCAD for free.

JD
Certified SolidWorks Professional
Autodesk Inventor Certified Expert

PS Have you considered SolidEdge?

[#3]

You probably won't get much response to this question. It's like saying GM is better than Ford. They both have their strong points and they both have their fans.

[#4]

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Брайян Р.
Ивашкевич

style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">inventor
specialist

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systems

[#5]

I wish I had lots to time to write a rave review for SolidWorks but I just dont have the time. I worked with SolidWorks for 4 years before I moved to a company with Inventor. I have now been using Inventor for 3 years and I would go back to SolidWorks in a second.

My current company only uses Inventor because of the legacy that has been AutoCAD - Mechanical Desktop - Inventor. It was a natural progression from one package to the next.

If I was starting from new I personally would vote SW (but I'm sure some people will disagree)

[#6]

We get data from Pro/E most of the time and every now and then Solidworks. Our main customer is SW, but they will not give any 3d models to any suppliers unless its an absolute must. I'm using my personal license of Inv 2009 at work since it was released. So I have a lot of legancy files that I want to use without translating every thing. I'm looking at Product View from PTC to gather data from the Pro/E models, why spend 5 or 6 grand on a software that you will only use 10% at 3% of the time. The company wants to get SW but I want to stay with Inv. I've seen SW but to crazy about the user interface.

[#7]

You might ask your same questions over here -

https://forum.solidworks.com/community/solidworks

be sure to ask about subscription and updates as well.

Who makes the CAD decisions at your company? What are their qualifications to make CAD decisions?

>Our main customer is SW, but they will not give any 3d models

So, they don't give you 3D data? Are they going to expect you to give them native SWx files?

[#8]

Well it seems like the finance only buys what HR is suggesting. The owner thinks SW becuase thats all you here is SW. They do not know anything about CAD software in any form or fashsion except for SW. I'm the most senior draftsperson they have. I know more about 3D work the the other two and especially the ird person which only likes to SigmaNest to draw in. I want to get everybody trained in a 3d package. I own Inv 2010 Suite and pay for my own subscription each year out of my own pocket and I use the software at work also.

The customers do not expect us to sent them files in format. If we do, it's a DWG or DXF or PDF files.

I have to create a report on my findings on which would be better for us.

We do not design or engineeer anything here, we build to customer files, mostly PDF and DWG or DXF. We have to redraw the file in 3d to generate flat patterns for the formed plates. We can figure the layouts in AutoCAD, but that takes longer and more room for error I believe.

[#9]

Your main customer uses SW, and your company needs 3d mainly to generate flat patterns?
I think the math here is really simple.

-Paul Cunningham

[#10]

Yes, our main customer uses SW, but they do not supply any models. We have to recreate all PDF files back into 3D models to generate flat profiles. We do not get the luxury of using thier 3D models.