topic What are the Unique Benefits of Using Content Center Over Inventor Libraries in Inventor Forum

What are the Unique Benefits of Using Content Center Over Inventor Libraries

jimkenwilliams — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 23:26:20 GMT

I have recently taken a new CAD Manager role with a company who has used Inventor for many years.

We have a large number library files but Content Center Libraries are not used at all.

We are also considering using Inventor Cable & Harness Design.

Question:

In what way is Content Center functionality superior to the use of Library files?

Regards,

Jim Williams

Re: What are the Unique Benefits of Using Content Center Over Inventor Libraries

Gabriel_Watson — Sun, 23 Oct 2022 01:55:40 GMT

Start by reading this other similar thread:
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/what-is-difference-between-library-and-content-center/td-p/10888858

Basically, C.C libraries are like iPart libraries that you CAN use via frame generator and a few other design accelerator tools in Inventor, plus, they are also easier to copy, scale, exchange between companies (.idcl files containing the tables), and build from existing standards.
If any of your iPart libraries have synergy with design accelerators (frame, tube and pipe, cable & h.), most likely you should be using C.C. tables instead of iParts. If you are constructing a library based on an existing standard that is by chance available in the C.C. "out-of-the-box" with the Inventor installation, you should also be using this as a custom C.C. library. If you are going to be copying your library into others (Vault's copy design for iPart libraries is a headache), or exchanging with different (verticalized) companies/vendors/outsource designers you collaborate with, you should also be using the C.C. instead of a regular library.

All that said, it is really up to you at the end of the day. People used to design things on paper. If your company is not well-versed in Vault and you need to learn more about PDM management, I would start small and build a simple library then expand it slowly to include more component types. Good luck!

Re: What are the Unique Benefits of Using Content Center Over Inventor Libraries

jimkenwilliams — Sun, 23 Oct 2022 02:50:44 GMT

Thanks so much for a detailed explanation.

This is what I was looking for, and helps me identify what I can now migrate from my library into CC.

it was helpful to mention the Inventor vertical products such as:

1. Tube & Pipe

2. Cable & Harness

3. Frame Generator

Each of these we have use for in our design workflows.

Many thanks again