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IS INVENTOR REALLY ANY BETTER THAN MECH. DESKTOP??

34 REPLIES 34
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Message 1 of 35
zeni
222 Views, 34 Replies

IS INVENTOR REALLY ANY BETTER THAN MECH. DESKTOP??

I am new to Inventor. After spending a week or so on Inventor, doubts started to grow in my mind.Before I get any deeper in Inventor, I have one simple question if some one can kindly answer it.

NVENTOR REALLY ANY BETTER THAN MECH DESKTOP?? And if so then in what way?

I am in no way against the Inventor as I confessed my inexperience with it. I really miss the snaping options, keyboard shortcuts and above all keyboard entry of relative and absolute coordinates. Is there some compensation for these in inventor?

Any one else share my thinking??
34 REPLIES 34
Message 21 of 35
Anonymous
in reply to: zeni

Another workaround is to create a sketch, project
the geometries, draw a line over ref geometry line, delete ref geometry,
dimension. Not very good, but better then creating an IDW. Also, this will show
dist. to ID of thread if you have minor dia. option picked in hole
feature.


 

 


style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">

I miss the precise geometry snapping the most.
Example: measuring the quadrant of a hole to perpendicular edge to
measure the amount of material remaining for bolt connections.  It's just
a different animal.  Animations are one huge advantage over
MDT.


style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
I
am new to Inventor. After spending a week or so on Inventor, doubts started
to grow in my mind.Before I get any deeper in Inventor, I have one simple
question if some one can kindly answer it.

NVENTOR REALLY ANY BETTER THAN MECH DESKTOP?? And if so then in what way?

I am in no way against the Inventor as I confessed my inexperience with
it. I really miss the snaping options, keyboard shortcuts and above all
keyboard entry of relative and absolute coordinates. Is there some
compensation for these in inventor?

Any one else share my thinking??

Message 22 of 35
Anonymous
in reply to: zeni

Yes, but it would be nice to know while designing
and not needing a calculator on the side of my keyboard.


style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
The
measure tool certainly needs to be revised. I rarely use it. I create a idw of
my design or part and use the dimensioning features to obtain measurements.
You can find the amount of material left from edge of hole to edge of part
this way.
Message 23 of 35
MechMan_
in reply to: zeni

This is what I do. Create a sketch and draw a ling from the part edge and then coincident constrain the line to the centerpoint and edge of your hole. Place a driven dimension on the line to display the amount of material between the hole edge and part edge. As you change the hole location the sketched line and dimension will update to the new value. Turn off sketch visibility if you don't want to see it anymore. Works great for me. I'll sometimes have a few of these types of sketches to keep track of my design.

MechMan
Message 24 of 35
jiml
in reply to: zeni

why can't you do this now in inventor I can
Message 25 of 35
Anonymous
in reply to: zeni

I'd like to see that. Can you do a "print screen"
and post it to the CF so we can all see?


 

 


style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
why
can't you do this now in inventor I can
Message 26 of 35
MechMan_
in reply to: zeni

IV the BORG? Ouch. IMO ProE has to be the BORG of the 3D CAD world. I've never seen such a stiff and unexciting, yet surprisingly powerful, program.

IV has to be the USS Enterprise seeing how each one is getting updated to new versions faster than anything else out there. Let's see, IV is now on R6 and the Enterprise is now on it's 6th ship. 😉

MechMan
Message 27 of 35
Anonymous
in reply to: zeni

I thought I would weigh-in on this subject as
well.  I've only been using IV since I got it for nothing (minus the
Subscription costs, that is :)) when Autodesk Inventor Series came out.  I
had been a staunch supporter of MDT since it came out.  I use IV about 95%
of the time now.  I do need to go back to MDT for the surfacing
capability.  Most of our customers give us 'igs files which need to be
modified.  I have to admit I'm still playing with the surface capability in
IV.  I'm not sure whether it's up to the capability of MDT, but I'm still
learning.

 

I too, believe MDT is headed the same way as the
dinosaur.

 

kevin


style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
IV
is a better "design tool" than MDT because of how you can share data between
geometry and parts via projected geometry, adaptivity, shared sketches, and
derrived components. If you haven't tried these yet then you should give them
a go before giving up on IV.

Also the ability to simulate movement is priceless if you're designing
moving parts. Yes you can kind of do it in MDT but it's not nearly as nice and
powerful as IV.

A couple items I miss is MDT's measurement tools and MDT's flexible assy
constraints.

MechMan

Message 28 of 35
Anonymous
in reply to: zeni

..and I thought I was a geek
<vbg>

 

Just kidding Mech I couldn't resist...


--
Sean Dotson, PE

href="http://www.sdotson.com">http://www.sdotson.com

Check the Inventor
FAQ for most common questions

href="http://www.sdotson.com/faq.html">http://www.sdotson.com/faq.html

-----------------------------------------


style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
IV
the BORG? Ouch. IMO ProE has to be the BORG of the 3D CAD world. I've never
seen such a stiff and unexciting, yet surprisingly powerful, program.

IV has to be the USS Enterprise seeing how each one is getting updated to
new versions faster than anything else out there. Let's see, IV is now on R6
and the Enterprise is now on it's 6th ship. 😉

MechMan

Message 29 of 35
MechMan_
in reply to: zeni

Somebody's gotta fill the gap in this group. Guru, expert, joker, instructor, author, moderator, programmer..they seem to be taken. 😉

MechMan
Message 30 of 35
Anonymous
in reply to: zeni

I might as well jump in also. I started using IV about a year and half ago, and
came from MDT.
I took the 4 days class, and on Monday morning after the class I could not draw
a thing..... This is a different animal, a lot better once you think in IV terms
and not in MDT terms.

There is a lot that I like about the 2D part of ACAD. Still learning sslloowwlly
about the ins and outs of the 2D in Inventor, with the great help of this User
Group. Read as many posts as you can here, they have been a great help to me.
Whenever I have the time I download the files from CF to see how others approach
a solution. I have learned from studying the solutions to the "Inventor NG
World Cup" competition. Study those and see the way others solve the same
problem. When I see those solutions, I feel like at this point I know about
25% of the capability of the program. Sometimes very frustrating.
Stick to reading this news group and "you will soon be wearing walnuts the size
of diamonds"

Erich
Message 31 of 35
Wogz
in reply to: zeni

Hi all,



Being in the same nboat as most of you; a veteran MDT user recently switched over to Inv, I agree with pretty much all the points made. Also, being a keyboard guy, I do miss the 'hands on' from the ACAD world, hate this point and click stuff..



My biggest peeve, is the sales guys telling you that the switch-over is easy. Easier if you know MDT. The only commonality I've found is the basic modeling and constraint fundamentals. They neglect to tell you that the whole package is different, and requires a new mind-set to be productive.



I've had the 4-day class 'included' with the purchase price, I've read the [pathetic] manuals, and visited most of the 'support sites [thanks sean & charles!!] and I've been using it for about two months now.



Am I more productive? not really, not yet atleast.



Do I find it easier? not yet, but knowing I shouldn't expect the learned ease of MDT, it will be.



Am I fustrated? You bet! but hopefully that will change in time too.



The real 'fustration' is we onced shined, and loved a new challenge, a complexe part / assembly. Now, we're back to square one - 3d modelling 101-, and a simple cube can be a daunting task.



there's my vent.
Message 32 of 35
zeni
in reply to: zeni

Thanks lot friends. So there IS light at the end of tunnel. That was all I was looking for.
One question for JDMATHER as you teaches IV, MDT and SolidWorks, you are in a very good position to tell us how would you compare IV to SolidWorks?
Message 33 of 35
Anonymous
in reply to: zeni

You have got to be kidding and N0!  
Jerry.....


style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
I
am new to Inventor. After spending a week or so on Inventor, doubts started to
grow in my mind.Before I get any deeper in Inventor, I have one simple
question if some one can kindly answer it.

NVENTOR REALLY ANY BETTER THAN MECH DESKTOP?? And if so then in what way?

I am in no way against the Inventor as I confessed my inexperience with it.
I really miss the snaping options, keyboard shortcuts and above all keyboard
entry of relative and absolute coordinates. Is there some compensation for
these in inventor?

Any one else share my thinking??

Message 34 of 35
Anonymous
in reply to: zeni

I switched from MDT when Inventor R1 came out
and haven't look back.  I only use MDT and AutoCAD to view drawings that
others send me.  Inventor is so easy it's scary.  Give it some time
and I think you will like it allot, but you must forget your old MDT ways
grasshopper.  Jerry B......


style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
Well
man I do want to use Inventor (if it is any better than mech. desktop), but so
far my experience is not so pleasent. (may be it is just the inexperience).
But I do need a kind of confidence at this stage by people who have used both
and are know using Inventor. And I would be very greatful for any
advice.
Message 35 of 35
Anonymous
in reply to: zeni

and to resist is futile!
"Keith Streich" wrote in message
news:7D09038EC609F4A5196BC57016C9B7C9@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> MDT users should just accept the switch to INV, they have paid for the
> development of it! What do the BORG say? "You will be Assimilated"
>
> Keith
>
> "Sean Dotson" wrote in message
> news:0613814D72A8A88B1F522310645392BB@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > "In the end (which may be a ways down the road?) I find it hard to
believe
> > that they will continue to develop MDT, and I think it is likely it will
> > eventually be dropped, since they have tried so hard to push us all over
> > this direction."
> >
> > I agree. To be honest I think it may happen soon than later...
> >
> > --
> > Sean Dotson, PE
> > http://www.sdotson.com
> > Check the Inventor FAQ for most common questions
> > http://www.sdotson.com/faq.html
> > -----------------------------------------
> > "Kent Keller" wrote in message
> > news:58C41CF5DC00D1CEC9259D35F265B13C@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > I am sure most if not all will disagree with many of my opinions but
> here
> > goes.
> > >
> > > Would I currently go back to MDT full time? If I had a
choice......no.
> Do
> > I still use
> > > MDT\Acad for some things......Yes I find it much faster and easier
with
> > some things. Do I
> > > still miss many things from MDT ... Absolutely. There is a lot of
> things
> > I prefer from
> > > MDT such as the one file does it all format, and I am a command line
> > junky.... toolbuttons
> > > slow me way down and hurt my wrist. Customization is easier and
better
> in
> > MDT. I never
> > > had a ounce of problems with paths in MDT and have had a few
nightmares
> in
> > Inventor. (I
> > > know this is opposite for many people) Never had all that many files
> blow
> > up on me in MDT,
> > > but currently am having some major problems in Inventor. (again
opposite
> > of many) MDT's
> > > scenes actually work where Inventors presentation files I cringe every
> > time I have to work
> > > with one.
> > >
> > > I guess I am just one of those square pegs being forced into a round
> hole.
> > Eventually the
> > > corners wear off, and you end up carrying on.
> > >
> > > Conversely Inventor is easier to do many things in. Plane creation is
> ten
> > time easier,
> > > and visualization is better. MDT doesn't have Sheetmetal tools, and
the
> > derived skeleton
> > > method when it all goes right is wonderful. iParts have a lot of
> > advantages, and overall
> > > Inventor is getting much better each release.
> > >
> > > If you should convert or not is really up to you as opposed to what
some
> > of the zealots
> > > say. If you have the time to unlearn and relearn I would guess
you
> > will end up liking
> > > it. I would say it would be best if you can to go to a couple of
> classes
> > to help you get
> > > going. If you don't have the time then I would suggest trying to just
> > play with it as
> > > much as you can until you have a bit of a slow time going on.
> > >
> > > In the end (which may be a ways down the road?) I find it hard to
> believe
> > that they will
> > > continue to develop MDT, and I think it is likely it will eventually
be
> > dropped, since
> > > they have tried so hard to push us all over this direction. With that
> in
> > mind if you plan
> > > on staying current with anything it might be best to start getting
used
> to
> > Inventor. Note
> > > this is all just my speculation and could be completely wrong.
> > >
> > > Both are good products and do some things better than the other.
> > > --
> > > Kent
> > > Member of the Autodesk Discussion Forum Moderator Program
> > >
> > >
> > > "Sean Dotson" wrote in message
> > >
> > > > If Kent chimes in and says he wouldn't go back then I think the
> argument
> > may be over
> > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

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