Need Higher System Requirements to run Inventor AND AutoCAD?

[Anonymous]

Hello

When my boss bought my computer for me, we were only going to be using AutoCAD. 

I have since learned a little Inventor and I see myself leaning towards Inventor, but some of the jobs I do still need to be done in AutoCAD for simplicity reasons.

The computer reaches the requirements to run both of the programs separately. But I think I will need to upgrade if I want to continue to use both Inventor and AutoCAD simultaneously each day. Right now it is freezing often and I have lost some work a couple times, so I would like to fix this problem.

Anyone have any suggestions on the Hardware we should be looking for when we upgrade my computer?

[SBix26]

Let's start by finding out what your current specs are.  Can't very well recommend changes if we don't know what you have now.

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Sam B
Inventor Pro 2019.0.0 | Windows 7 SP1
LinkedIn

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Anonymous

In addition to @SBix26 posting..  Inventor version?  Type of models you make?  Simple, complex, a lot of parts.

Freezing based on a given workflow?  Or just random?  Where are your files located?  Design Data?   Hardware is not always the root cause of your issue..

Attached is the handout from my AU2017 class on boosting your inventor performance:

[dgorsman]

In addition to the comments by the others, I question the practicality of running both programs at the same time.  If you're going to be working on Inventor, do so; if you're working on AutoCAD, do that.  As an example, I may be working on a piping design project, which means I could be working on piping models, structural models, flow sheet schematics, electrical schematics, or a number of other tasks.  When I'm working on a piping model I don't also have the programs up for working on schematics.

If you need to have a DWG file up for reference while using Inventor, consider using something lightweight like DWG TrueView, or better yet print the drawing to PDF.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses everyone!

Computer Specs:

Processor - Inter(R) Core(TM) i5-6400 CPU @ 2.70 GHz  2.71 GHz

Installed Memory (RAM) - 8.00 GB

System Type - 64-bit Operating System, x64-based processor

Windows 10

Inventor Version - Professional 2017

AutoCAD Version - 2017

Types of Models - Vary from Very simple to Medium Complex , but mostly a lot of Sheet metal

Reason for Freezing / being slow - I usually notice it when I am saving my drawing, it takes a full minute or 2 to complete the save and sometimes closes without saving. But it does sometimes run slow even to do a little thing like add a leader note - so I guess it varies during the day. Don't get me wrong, I get my work done but its just frustrating.

File Location - Everything here is on a shared network. All drawings and PDFs whatever else we make is saved to the network

Design Data - the Inventor download data stuff is saved directly onto this computer - not the network (I am not sure if this is what you mean by location of design data, sorry)

As for having both of the programs open at once, you're right I try not to do it often. But we have a Plasma table, and often times when I change something in my drawing I have to change it in the DXF so I use it for that sometimes. I am also taking most old files and transferring them into Inventor from CAD just for upgrading them and stuff, so a lot of times it is easier to copy and paste the design into Inventor sketch. I know there is an import button for Cad to Inventor but that is SO slow and plus the layers aren't done in a good way it takes too much in and I don't need 95% of it.

Thanks for the Handout link too, I am going to read that right now!

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! 8GB RAM is the bare minimum. You can start up Inventor and create a few parts but sooner or later your machine will have to use SWAP memory (disk memory). You will not get the performance. You need to have at least 16GB RAM. The more the better.

You did not list your graphics card. Could you check what graphics card you have and how much graphics RAM is on it?

Many thanks!

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@Anonymouswrote: 

Computer Specs:

Installed Memory (RAM) - 8.00 GB 

Inventor Version - Professional 2017

AutoCAD Version - 2017!

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In addition to increasing RAM and specifying Graphics Card information.

What version of Inventor and AutoCAD 2017 (that is, have you installed all Updates for these products).

Are you using Projects for Inventor or are you using Vault?

Is one or the other (Inventor or AutoCAD) exhibiting more issues than the other?

Inventor is very sensitive to "correct" sketching/constraining, modeling, assembly techniques.

If you could provide a dataset that exhibits issues - that might go a long way to diagnosing technique issues.

Ping @johnsonshiue if the data is proprietary.

[Frederick_Law]

The freezing when saving files could be network problem or slow fragmented hard drive.

Freezing in drawing could be lack of memory and slow hard drive.

A new computer with Core i7, 16GB or more RAM and a SSD drive will help.

Try to work on files in local drive and sync/backup to network.  It take pretty good Windows network setup and management to make it stable for Inventor.

[SBix26]

@Anonymous

In addition to what the others have written, there is also the possibility of other software interfering.  Not so long ago, we had routine "time-outs" (not responding) for 20 or 30 seconds at a time, seemingly random.  We finally tracked it down to  a software auditing package, installed by IT.  When we disabled it, Inventor was fine, no further issues.

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Sam B
Inventor Pro 2019.0.0 | Windows 7 SP1
LinkedIn

[dgorsman]

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@SBix26 wrote:

@Anonymous

In addition to what the others have written, there is also the possibility of other software interfering.  Not so long ago, we had routine "time-outs" (not responding) for 20 or 30 seconds at a time, seemingly random.  We finally tracked it down to  a software auditing package, installed by IT.  When we disabled it, Inventor was fine, no further issues.

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Sam B
Inventor Pro 2019.0.0 | Windows 7 SP1
LinkedIn

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These can be *really* difficult to track down.  For instance, one of our "file under wtf..." problems: users were having severe delays in AutoCAD.  After doing pretty much everything, including dumping multiple GB from temp and SCCM cache folders, unplugging the phone on the desk (physical handset phone, not a Skype headset type) solved the problem.  The VOIP system in use wasn't playing nice.

[Mark.Lancaster]

Yeah what @dgorsman said or this: https://synergiscadblog.com/2016/03/22/is-your-cad-workstation-connected-to-the-network-like-this/ 

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure what to look for to tell you the Graphics Card info.. sorry

Updates are up to date on both AutoCAD and Inventor

Inventor usually more slow performances, but AutoCAD can stall when saving or 3D modeling as well.

I am going to look into working off my Computer and syncing to network as suggested and see if that helps anything.

I may speak with my boss to upgrade to 16RAM as well as you guys suggested.

Thanks so much!