When generating flat patterns for our suppliers, we often need to remove any machined holes or features, or alternatively, add material to certain faces that will later be machined particularly when working with thicker aluminium plates. To streamline this process, we would like to propose the following enhancements: Automatic Hole Simplification: When a flat pattern is activated, it would be helpful if countersunk or counterbore holes were automatically converted to clearance holes or ideally, to the minor diameter of the feature. This reflects the as-cut state more accurately before machining operations. It would be ideal if the diameter of the as-cut hole could be user configurable. Surface Texture-Based Material Addition: When a Surface Texture symbol is applied to a face (to indicate post-cut machining), we’d like the ability to automatically add a defined thickness of material to that face in the flat pattern. It would be ideal if the amount of additional material could be user configurable. These features would greatly reduce manual rework in preparing flat patterns and improve communication with our suppliers. Show More

I’d like to propose renaming the CircularPatterns object to SketchCircularPatterns to better align with the existing naming conventions used throughout the API. Currently, most objects representing groups of sketch entities follow a clear and consistent naming structure, such as SketchLines, SketchSplines, SketchArcs, and SketchEllipses. The CircularPatterns object stands out as an exception, which can create confusion when browsing or searching the API. Renaming it to SketchCircularPatterns would immediately clarify its association with the Sketch environment, making it easier for users to identify and access in the object browser.   This change would also improve discoverability. Right now, if someone tries to locate CircularPatterns in the object browser or API reference, it won’t appear near the other sketch-related objects. With the new name, it would appear grouped with other sketch* objects alphabetically, which improves both navigation and intuitive understanding of its role. From a documentation and user experience perspective, consistency in naming helps streamline development workflows and makes onboarding or troubleshooting significantly easier. Aligning the name with the established pattern ensures it’s immediately recognizable and traceable within the broader context of the Inventor API.           Show More

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When we use Inventor Professional, one of the great things we can do is Create Shared View and share it with co-workers, customers and vendors.  Basically we're creating a 3D print-out that people can interactively view.  When we run Inventor Read-Only mode, we can open anything we want and we can print it, BUT, we cannot output a 3D shared view.  Not sure why not?  It's just creating a 3D print-out.  Often we open reference models and assemblies in read-only so we don't accidentally change something.  But we're FORCED to open that in regular Inventor in order to create the 3D shared view.  Submitted this "idea" that we should be able to create shared 3D views from read-only Inventor. Show More

I would like the ability to pick a balloon location anywhere on a part in a drawing instead of just the edges. It is very difficult sometimes to pick between 2 parts when they are right next to each other. Also, it would be easier to determine which part the balloon is pointing to.     Show More

By default, Inventor uses a Y-Up axis orientation.   You can change the orientation to Z-up by reorienting the viewcube relative to the axes.   This works fine but there is one annoyance. When creating a brand-new part or assembly, if you click the button 'Start 2D sketch' (without any planes highlighted), the orientation flips back to Y-up. Please add a way to stop this happening. Ideally, the auto-orientation should be dictated by the viewcube        Show More

It would be good to make some kind of visual display in the inventor when a part or assembly is locked in the Vault, e.g. some underdrawing in the parts tree or directly on the screen, either something in color or a symbol added. This would make things clearer Show More

We are working close with electronic engineers and often we need to check for clisions short circuit with the PCB etc. Our engineers export PDF and DXF in our workflow while we know that it is possible to place an image as sticker on top of a surface, but often, we have to adjust the size of the image first before place it and when there is also an update of the PCB and we need to start to export and adjust again. We also used to work with DXF but its the same story we have to clean up the DXF from all the unnesasery geomerty and data and then when it can some times take ages to place it It would be geart if it was possible to place or emade a PDF as sticker in part. PDFs keep their line thickness, colors, scale and its vector graphics so they are scalable and should be easy to render in .idw files. Show More

I've seen a lot of similar ideas to this, but I would want to propose the following:   Right next to the 'Project Geometry' button in the sketch toolbar, i would want three tiny icons to signify auto-projecting either an origin plane, axis, or point.   The icon would expand on selection to dictate which specific plane would be projected. Upon click, it would just run a simple script to project that plane onto the currently open sketch. I've included examples of what the scripts would be (see attached Zip file) as well as an IPT that contains the scripts in it.   Example of toolbar   Example of expanded selection   Example of the 'simple scripts':   ' Basic error handling On Error Resume Next ' Project Origin Point into active sketch Dim oDoc As PartDocument = ThisApplication.ActiveDocument Dim oSketch As PlanarSketch = ThisApplication.ActiveEditObject If TypeOf oSketch Is PlanarSketch Then     Dim oOriginPoint As WorkPoint = oDoc.ComponentDefinition.WorkPoints.Item("Center Point")     oSketch.AddByProjectingEntity(oOriginPoint) End If     Show More

When on the default "recent files" page you can search those files by comment or subject or anything in iProperties. I would absolutely LOVE the ability to do that with all my files. There should be some kind of way to search files this way without having Vault. Thanks! Show More

When we laser cut parts that have tapped holes, We sometimes have to have these holes cut at different sizes.   ie, When we have a M12 tapped hole, We laser cut it Dia 9, drill Dia 10.25 then tap M12. It would be great is this could be incorporated into the hole feature with a "Laser Cutting Hole Dia". something like an option for drilling process, "Drill" or "Cut and Drill". Bonus would be to have the option to also create a centre etch for smaller hole because M6 holes we etch the centre mark then drill and tap     Currently we have to manually change the Flat pattern to show the smaller hole.    Regards Donald Show More

Now when constraining parts/assy's I have to browse to the part/assy in de browser and expand several times to be able to select the origin planes. I know I can make them visible in advance but that's not what I want due to a cluttered display with all Origin/Workplanes on. I suggest to add a check box next to the "Select part First" option with something like "Select Origin Plane"   Show More

Many times when a project consists of several sheets and need to refer from one to the other would be easier if there is an option for simultaneous viewing all sheets.   Original Author: kpapjim   Show More

Currently when creating holes, we have the options for Drilled, Counterbore, Spot face and Countersunk from the top only.   It could be beneficial to have these same options to add features to the bottom of the same hole.   As requested by : Anonymous on 5/9/2013 Show More

Original Author:   MattH_Work     Whilst I appreciate that we cannot move features up & down the browser without changing the Part (we are free to move components up & down in the Assembly, therefore browser folder 'restructurng' has no impact), it would be nice to have a second browser (ala the Vault browser) where we can sort, reorder, add to folders, the content of a file (group all extrusions, revolves, sketches etc) Even if this was just a visual  display of the 'sorted' feature tree with no editing capability (maybe a right click option to 'Goto Feature' in main browser for editing) it would make it easier for finding, renaming etc Show More

Idea Summary: Add a function in Inventor’s Export to DWG feature that allows users to combine multiple sheets into a single DWG file, with each sheet converted to its own AutoCAD layout (paper space tab) upon export. 🔧 Proposed Features Single‑file DWG export Select "Export all sheets to one DWG" Inventor generates one DWG containing multiple layout tabs Sheet-to-layout mapping Each Inventor sheet becomes a separate layout (AutoCAD paper space) Retains proper scaling and annotations Layer/overwrite support Sheet names used as layout titles Option to merge or separate layers per layout Export options panel enhancements Checkbox: “Combine sheets into one DWG” Drop-down: model space vs paper space layout Settings for layout sequence naming ✅ Benefits Reduces file count and improves manageability Mimics multi-layout DWG export functionality from other CAD tools—currently unavailable in Inventor Simplifies project delivery, email attachments, and PDM integration with a single DWG file   __PRESENT Show More

It would be truly helpful to have the possibility to insert standard bolted connections to models within frame generator. I know that there is software like Tekla structures and Autodesk structual detailing, but you don't have to design whole buildings before it is necessary to use bolted connections. Most smaller scale structures needs to be shipped in containers and assembled on site.    Original Author: Anonymous on Nov 25, 2013   Show More

As it currently stands, 99.6% of user ideas submitted to this forum never see the light of day. Sad and unforgivable. Read through the past week of ideas submitted, and you will see users who really need the software improved in ways that speed up workflow or just make it simpler to accomplish everyday job tasks. Now, search back through this forum years ago, and read excellent improvement ideas that were completely ignored. Why? Is Autodesk truly interested in making a product that benefits companies and engineering professionals? Show it. That is all. Show More

Introduce the ability to define, save, and reuse Sketch Blocks directly within the Inventor Drawing Environment (.idw/.dwg), similar to how blocks work in AutoCAD or how sketch blocks function in the part/assembly environment. Key Features Requested: ✅ Create Sketch Blocks in a drawing sketch (symbols, repeated elements, etc.) 🔁 Save and reuse blocks across different drawing files 📚 Maintain a block library inside the drawing environment ✏️ Edit block definition once and update all instances 📏 Parametric support: allow dimensions and constraints within blocks 📦 Nested blocks support (for complex symbols) 🔄 Convert sketch geometry into blocks and vice versa Use Cases: Company-specific symbols (e.g., welds, flow arrows, electrical symbols) Frequently reused geometry (e.g., title block add-ons, section hatching patterns) Annotated mechanical features like bolts, pins, or flanges Benefits: ⏱ Faster drafting with reusable geometry 📐 Consistency across drawings 🔧 Easier updates to repeated elements 📁 Reduced file clutter (compared to inserting .idw/.dwg sketches from external templates) __PRESENT __PRESENT Show More