Autodesk Inventor

[#1]

IV2010Suite

Can anybody tell me a free programe I can tell my customers to get that will view ipt models and ipt sketches/work geometry?

I need it for customer review/approval of my designs, which can be viewed only in the sketch stages.

Thanks ... Chris

[#2]

Inventor View is free.  I know of no free program that will allow you to view the sketches.

Not sure why this would be needed.

[#3]

Thanks for responding.

Let me affirm what you're saying:

There is NO viewer (free or for purchase) that allows viewing the inventor sketches but Inventor.

You will understand what I need if these are true for you:

1. Your customers interact w/you on designs;

2. You use ipt sketches for assembly layouts & part details;

3. Your ipt sketches form the basis for the customer interaction.

Otherwise, you will have no clue why.

Cheers ... Chris

[#4]

I guess the cheapest work around would be to get the view you want, take a screen shot and send it to them in a .bmp format. Other than that you can make a drawing (idw) of the part with the sketches activated that you would like them to see and send them a .pdf of your drawing. Windows 7 also has snipping tool that send people screen shots in email.

[#5]

Ray,

Thanks for your suggestions.

I already do that.

The problem with those methods is that it's impossible to capture some modeling sketches in 2d.

For example, certain kind of oblique angles and their work geometry, certain piping runs, vessel geometry, etc.

Also, work-gemoetry (the dotted lines) never shows up in the idw views, even though it's an important part of the viewing. To convert those lines to 'object' lines is both time consuming and makes the sketches confusing.

Also, the dimensions don't show up.

The problem is, if what I send the customer isn't crystal clear to comprehend and simple to view, then they are going to get frustrated w/me and the communication process (even though it's not my fault). That's how bureaucrats tend to be. Plus, they 'hold the money bag'.

The competition out here is very high, and being above the competition is what staying in work is all about.

Over the years, my ideas have ALWAYS turned out to be what people eventually figure out they want/need in this market.

So, maybe it's about time for adsk to include consumed and uncomsumed sketches and dimensions/text in their totality in idw views, regardless of whether or not there is a model in the original ipt, JUST LIKE SOLIDWORKS CAN.

Cheers ... Chris

[#6]

Sounds like your customer need a license of Inventor.  Because otherwise, they will no be able to see your sketches.

[#7]

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cadman777 wrote:JUST LIKE SOLIDWORKS CAN.

Cheers ... Chris

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same ole same ole... still trying to push SW huh? LOL

agree with last poster, they need to have Inventor.

Wonder what ever happened during the drafting board days...

Did clients want to see/inspect the pencils that were used to draw up blueprints?

[#8]

jc,

thanks for your comments.

unfortunately, my 'customer' isn't just ONE, it's MANY.

Autodesk isn't paying me to market their product.

Moreover, the customers these days are 'downsizing', meaning they're cutting all their essential people and 'outsourcing'.

Why would a company that's working towards cutting costs want to waste $ on a relatively 'high-end' CAD program that can only be used for viewing? Answer: They wouldn't. To even suggest such an absurdity would be like asking them to go to my competition for their services. In other words, it would be like me asking them to not give me work any more.

Apparently, you are not thinking from the same frame of reference that I am.

But now you know.

Any other viable suggestions?

Cheers ... Chris