Inventor workflow suggestions

[AzWoodWarrior]

I'm new to the Inventor platform and am more familiar with Autocad. I have found Inventor a little confusing, but that's normal for all complex software. My question is, is it better workflow to create in autocad and link to inventor for assembly? I want to be able to test prototypes and print the parts on a 3D printer. Should I just drill down and learn how to 3D model in Inventor as well? Do I need Autocad at all?  

[Anonymous]

You will still need autocad for complex profiles or details as it is faster to to do it there. Then you can use it to create inventor blocks. That inventor blocks can be inserted in sketches and used in features like extrusions, loft, etc.

[JDMather]

@Anonymous 

Why, oh why, would I use AutoCAD for that geometry? (Unless it was done, and done correctly.)

Much easier and faster in Inventor.

I haven't used needed AutoCAD in years. (And I would rate myself as pretty good with AutoCAD.)

[JDMather]

---

@AzWoodWarrior wrote:

 Should I just drill down and learn how to 3D model in Inventor as well? Do I need Autocad at all?  

---

Yes, and ask lots of questions.  (In fact, I recommend that at the start - you post file after completing first sketch and only the first sketch.)

I haven't needed AutoCAD in years.

[jrobrador19]

Hi there,

It all depends on preference. If you are more comfortable in doing 2D in AutoCAD, you can still do that and import your 2D sketches in the Sketch environment of Inventor. In terms of 3D modeling tools, Inventor has the edge and it is easier to create auxiliary planes, though you can still reference or open 3D dwg models in Inventor. But as @Anonymous said, 2D modeling tools are better in AutoCAD. 3D modeling tools are more robust in Inventor. 

I hope this helps.

[jrobrador19]

@JDMather  To be honest, I also haven't used AutoCAD for years as well. I use Inventor for product design while I use Revit for building design.

[Anonymous]

Hello @JDMather  and @jrobrador19 . In aluminum and glass facade /  curtainwall fabrication, autocad is still widely use from conceptual to detailed design stage. When we receive the details from architect or consultant, it is always in .dwg format (so far in my experience.) So the fastest way is to use it as block. 

And just to give an idea, it is something like this but not multibody.

But Im curious to know (this for everybody who is interested) if you were given a file like this in the attachent. Would you you redraw it in Inventor or Revit? 

[cadman777]

I agree w/JD.

I got my name as 'cadman' from the people who used to come into my office and watch me draw using AutoCAD.

They thought I was some kind of wizard. I quit using AutoCAD after learning Inventor in the late 90's.

A quick anecdote:

A few years ago, after being a long-time Inventor user (and basically neglecting use of AutoCAD), I thought to myself, 'Why doesn't AutoCAD work like Inventor part Sketches? So I revisited AutoCAD (2010 is my version) and found 'Constraints' that are used with AutoCAD lines, arcs, etc. After learning how to use them, I found them TOTALLY WORTHLESS b/c they bog down the computer so bad. That's when I KNEW why AutoCAD can't sketch like Inventor, and gave up all hope for that ever happening.

The ONLY times I use AutoCAD are:

1. When the customers are in the 'stone age' and think all CAD is "AutoCAD" (b/c that's all they have to work with and there's an abundance of cheap slave laborors who use it), and

2. When doing plant layouts and big stuff like that, for CONCEPTUAL PURPOSES.

Otherwise, I use Inventor exclusively (except for complex surfacing, in which case I use Rhino3D).

Once you get used to Inventor sketches, you find a lotta freedom in getting the job done quickly and reliably. And on the rare occasion I can't build a surface in Inventor, I use Rhino3D.

Incidentally, you can find some excellent Inventor TRAINING at this link: www.trainingtutorial.com (Note: I am not in any way associated or affiliated with those guys. I just know how good their training is, b/c I've used it before. Currently I'm learning iLogic using their training, and it's very good for a LINEAR THINKER like me.)

Incidentally #2: I did some 3d printing a few years ago, and would not even think of using AutoCAD to make my models. I used Inventor to make the parts, and found it quick, easy and reliable. Then the part gets exported into STL and imported into Cura or Slic3r or some other software that interfaces with your 3d Printer. Works great! See attached example of a scope mount that I made in Inventor and 3d printed using a cheap arse Wanhao 3d printer. Believe me when I tell you that this would be impossible to do in AutoCAD.

Incidentally #3: A lot of people use Fusion to make models for 3d printing. I think that was the intended target customer for Fusion. I never used it, but from what I hear, it's simpler and more of a competitor to SketchUp.

[cadman777]

Yeah, Rob's videos are always fabulous. He's a lotta fun to listen to as well.

From my experience, using unconstrained sketches in Inventor models that update down-stream is a NO-NO, that is,  UNLESS the the imported sketch will NEVER be changed.

But most of the AutoCAD sketches I've used like this have been drawing by CACKERS (CAD hackers), which means the lines aren't necessary orthographically drawn, the end points aren't connected in some places, and all kinds of other stupid garbage could be wrong w/the AutoCAD geometry. So unless you're sure the imported geometry is kosher, you're in for an uphill climb with adding dimensions and constraints so the sketch can be usable. Plus, you'll then have to check the end result against some known standard cut-sheet to be sure it's accurate. And if some yahoo made the Inventor sketch from some AutoCAD trash, and didn't give a rat's arse about the quality of it, then you've got even more work to fix that mess. Just something to think about...

Rule of thumb: NOTHING IS AS IT SEEMS.

[AzWoodWarrior]

Thank you for your input, I have spent a good part of 2020 learning Revit (long boring story), after having used Civil 3D for a surveyor for about a year. After 22 years in the construction industry and I'm over it. Now, I'm trying to start my own company that is more in the manufacturing arena. Which means learning a different modeling platform, again😆 Luckily my career as a carpenter gave me great skill with 3D objects. If you live in the SW United States hopefully you will see my products for sale this spring. Thanks again,

[AzWoodWarrior]

No WAY I would even get near something that detailed in revit. In my experience it doesn't like  detailed objects like your link. Having a LOD that refined inside a BIM environment seems like it would overload the file unnecessarily. I would sweep the exterior geometry so it looks accurate in BIM, but if it's for shop drawings, revit is not the platform.

[AzWoodWarrior]

Thanks Cadman!!! I am going to have to just hunker down and learn how the commands function. I'm not new to the 3D environment so that helps, except when you're going from autocad to revit and keep hitting the enter key out of muscle memory. That took months to get over!!! I will learn this eventually. I have a time crunch to get operational before spring, but who doesn't love highly stressful situations?  I'm not sure if I'm having the time of my life, or on the verge of a nervous breakdown. But it's been fun

[cadman777 · Accepted solution]

Pounding he Enter key ... such fond memories!

Living on the bleeding edge, are we?

Temporary solution: Glenlivet.