topic Re: Background Programs in Inventor Forum

Background Programs

Anonymous — Wed, 12 May 2021 20:27:14 GMT

I normally work with 1-1.5 gig assemblies with a lot of components, I also usually have a decent amount of programs open for my work flow. I'm using Inventor 2021, and, this is more of a general question, but in everyone's experience what are some troublesome programs that run in the background in tandem with Inventor?

Re: Background Programs

johnsonshiue — Wed, 12 May 2021 21:38:19 GMT

Hi! I am not aware of such behavior. Do you dedicate certain CPUs for certain processes? Or, you dictate the Affinity?

If possible, please record a video showing the behavior. I would like to understand it better.

In the meantime, please make sure all critical Windows updates are installed, graphics driver is updated, and 2021.3 update is installed.

Many thanks!

Re: Background Programs

Ray_Feiler — Mon, 17 May 2021 19:15:33 GMT

Use Task Manager and sort by CPU to find out where your system resources are being used.

Re: Background Programs

Anonymous — Fri, 21 May 2021 18:08:35 GMT

This is mainly pertaining to the fact that, even though there is horsepower available from the computer, there is still considerable lag in Inventor.

Re: Background Programs

Anonymous — Fri, 21 May 2021 18:09:59 GMT

I have not done any specific allocations for CPU resources or RAM, is this something that could be customized?

The CPU is an i7-10700 running at 2.9 Ghz, with a turbo of 4.8 Ghz along with 64 GB of DDR4 RAM. Thanks in advance.

Re: Background Programs

johnsonshiue — Fri, 21 May 2021 18:37:11 GMT

Hi! A few things to check. It is possible there are still performance related bugs in Inventor, after recent significant improvement in performance. It could be files or workflows specific.

I don't think running programs in the background would cause Inventor to slow. It is because as long as there is enough RAM, other programs should be loaded on system RAM, which should be fast. If swap memory is used, it will be slow. But, it should not be your case.

You mention "turbo" CPU. Do you overclock it? If yes, I suggest you do some testing with it off. Do you see a difference? The reason why "turbo" may not help is that it is forcing CPU to run at a speed it was not designed to do. It may appear it runs faster for certain tasks. But, the turbo may also interfere with multi-threading operations negatively. I suggest you turn the turbo off and see how it works.

The network could play a role here depending on how your files are saved. Do you access files from a shared drive (libraries)? Where are Appearance and Materials libraries stored?

You said that you work on 1.5GB assembly. I assume you are talking about the size of entire files. How much RAM is consumed when it is loaded? Try turning off Express mode (Tools -> App Options -> Assembly -> uncheck "Enable Express Mode"). This option will store assembly graphics at the top-level assembly, which makes the iam file big. It helps speed up file open and see the graphics faster. However, the need to save the such big chunk of graphics data can slow things done somethings (while saving).

Many thanks!

Re: Background Programs

Anonymous — Sat, 29 May 2021 21:17:34 GMT

I usually always load full when working with these assemblies, additional the clock speed on the CPU is all stock. The turbo I am referencing is apart of the CPU's architecture.

I've opened a simple assembly to work with and the screencast should illustrate my issue. Any minor movements of the part will cause it to hang repeatedly. CPU usage is fine, as well as RAM utilization.

I've attached the screencast to show the issue, no big assemblies were open and the part that is lagging along with others is merely a tube, and a step model from McMasterCarr. Thanks in advance.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/community/screencast/d99f9a37-44b8-4ae5-a830-3a0f0008b7a8

Re: Background Programs

johnsonshiue — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 19:11:06 GMT

Hi! The STEP part you downloaded from McMaster site has physical thread, right? If yes, I guess this could be graphics related. The thread does not convey additional design intent besides looking more realistic. Inventor thread is more like a texture to minimize the need to compute the unneeded graphical detail.

Please make sure the dedicated graphics card, instead of the integrated one, runs Inventor.

Many thanks!

Re: Background Programs

gmwi — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 21:50:21 GMT

I have notice that "Windows" doesn't handle streaming and Inventor smoothly a lot of the time. If your streaming videos or music , it BOGS down how well the program runs. I've also notice that screen response frequency makes a snappier cad response. A big TV verses a 75-120 hz screen makes a difference. Just a few things I've noticed in my cad world.