Mastering Autodesk Inventor 2016 and Autodesk Inventor LT 2016
Autodesk Official Press

Mastering Autodesk Inventor 2016 and Autodesk Inventor LT 2016 is a complete real-world reference and tutorial for those learning this mechanical design software. With straightforward explanations and practical tutorials, this guide brings you up to speed with Inventor in the context of real-world workflows and environments. You'll begin designing right away as you become acquainted with the interface and conventions, and then move into more complex projects as you learn sketching, modeling, assemblies, weldment design, functional design, documentation, visualization, simulation and analysis, and much more. Detailed discussions are reinforced with step-by-step tutorials, and the companion website provides downloadable project files that allow you to compare your work to the pros. Whether you're teaching yourself, teaching a class, or preparing for the Inventor certification exam, this is the guide you need to quickly gain confidence and real-world ability.

Inventor's 2D and 3D design features integrate with process automation tools to help manufacturers create, manage, and share data. This detailed guide shows you the ins and outs of all aspects of the program, so you can jump right in and start designing with confidence.

• Sketch, model, and edit parts, then use them to build assemblies
• Create exploded views, flat sheet metal patterns, and more
• Boost productivity with data exchange and visualization tools
• Perform simulations and stress analysis before the prototyping stage

This complete reference includes topics not covered elsewhere, including large assemblies, integrating other CAD data, effective modeling by industry, effective data sharing, and more. For a comprehensive, real-world guide to Inventor from a professional perspective, Mastering Autodesk Inventor 2016 and Autodesk Inventor LT 2016 is the easy-to-follow hands-on training you've been looking for.

Chapter 1 • Getting Started 1

Understanding Parametric Design 1

Creating a Base Sketch 1

Creating a Base Feature 2

Adding More Features 3

Using the Part in an Assembly 3

Making Changes 4

Understanding History-Based Modeling and Dependencies 4

Taking a Closer Look at Sketch Dimensions 5

Following Part Modeling Best Practices 7

Following Assembly Modeling Best Practices 8

Understanding the “Feel” of Inventor 10

Understanding the Intuitive Interface 10

Using General Tools vsSpecifi c Commands 12

When in Doubt, Right-Click 12

Using the Graphical Interface 13

Inventor Title Bar 14

Graphics Window Tools 15

The Ribbon Menu 17

The Browser Pane/Model Browser 19

Dialog Boxes and the In-Canvas Mini-Toolbars 19

Task-Based Tools 20

Learning the File Types in Inventor 20

What Is an Inventor Project? 22

Project Files and Search Paths 22

Library Folders and Library Editor IPJ Files 25

Content Center Files 26

How Search Paths and Project Files Are Used 26

Exploring Project File Types 27

Creating a Project File 29

Creating Single-User Projects 29

Creating Multiuser Projects 38

Understanding Inventor Templates39

Working with Styles, Style Libraries, and Company Standards 40

The Bottom Line 40

Chapter 2 • A Hands-on Test-Drive of the Workflow 43

Creating a Part Model 43

Starting with a Part Template 45

Understanding Origin Geometry 45

Creating a Base 2D Sketch 46

Creating a Profi le in the Sketch 48

Creating a Base 3D Feature 48

Creating a Secondary 2D Sketch 49

Creating a Secondary 3D Feature 51

Patterning a 3D Feature 52

Creating and Detailing Drawings of Part Models 53

Creating a Base View on a Drawing 53

Creating Projected Views on a Drawing 55

Creating Dimensions on a Drawing 55

Putting Part Models Together in Assembly Files 56

Placing, Rotating, and Moving Parts in an Assembly File 57

Working with Degrees of Freedom in an Assembly 58

Placing Assembly Constraints to Defi ne Mechanical Movement 60

Creating and Detailing Drawings of Assembly Models 63

Creating an Assembly Detail View 63

Placing a Parts List and Balloons 65

Exporting a Drawing to a PDF File 66

The Bottom Line 66

Chapter 3 • Sketch Techniques 69

Exploring the Options and Settings for Sketches 69

Application Options 70

Document Settings 75

Sketching Basics 75

Creating a Sketch on an Existing Sketch 76

Projecting Geometry into Your Sketch 77

Breaking Links to Projected Geometry 79

Deleting a Sketch 80

Creating Another New Sketch 80

Creating Dimensions 81

Creating a Sketch in a New Part 82

Creating a New Part File from a Template 82

Creating Lines Using the Line Tool 84

Understanding Sketch Constraints 86

Using Degrees of Freedom to View Underconstrained Sketch Elements 88

Using Dimensions to Fully Constrain a Sketch 89

Understanding the Save Options 92

Making a Sketch Active for Edits 93

Using Construction Geometry 93

Using the Polygon Tool and Creating an Aligned Dimension 95

Using Offset and Creating a Three-Point Rectangle 97

Creating Driven Dimensions 99

Taking a Closer Look at Sketch Constraints 102

The Tangent Constraint 103

The Perpendicular Constraint 103

The Parallel Constraint 104

The Coincident Constraint 105

The Concentric Constraint 105

The Collinear Constraint 106

The Horizontal Constraint 106

The Vertical Constraint 107

The Equal Constraint 108

The Fix Constraint 109

The Symmetric Constraint 109

The Smooth Constraint 110

Gaining More Sketch Skills 111

Creating Arcs 111

Creating Automatic Tangents with the Line Tool 113

Understanding the Point/Center Point Tool 113

Projecting Geometry 114

Learning More about Dimensions 115

Measuring Geometry 119

Creating Sketches from AutoCAD Geometry 120

Importing Existing AutoCAD Designs 120

Copying and Pasting Existing AutoCAD Designs into Inventor 122

Creating and Using 3D Sketches 123

Creating a 3D Path 123

Using the 3D Coordinate Triad 124

Exploring More 3D Sketch Tools 127

Best Practices for Working with Sketches 132

The Bottom Line 133

Chapter 4 • Basic Modeling Techniques 135

Exploring Application Options and Settings for Part Modeling 135

Specifying Global Settings 135

Specifying Document-Specific Settings 137

Key Concepts for Creating Basic Part Features 144

Simplifying Your Sketches 147

Exploring the Extrude Tool 148

Extruding Basic Features 149

Editing an Extrusion Feature 152

Extruding with Cut and Taper 152

Extruding with Intersect 153

Extruding Surfaces from Open Profiles 155

Extruding Solids from Open Profiles 156

Extruding with To 158

Extruding with the Minimum Solution Option 160

Extruding with To Next 160

Extruding Between 161

Extruding Multi-body Solids 162

Creating Revolved Parts 164

Revolved Cylindrical Parts vsStacked Circular Extrusions 164

Creating Revolved Parts 165

Creating Work Features 167

Work Planes 168

Work Axes and Work Points 174

Creating Fillets 175

Edge Fillets 176

Face Fillets 179

Full Round Fillets 180

Working with Fillet Features 180

Creating Threaded Features 182

Creating Cosmetic Threads Using the Thread Tool 182

Using the Coil Tool to Create Physical Threads 183

Hole Features 184

Using the Thread and Clearance Spreadsheets 184

Creating Holes in Parts 186

Setting Tolerance Values in Holes 188

Bend Parts 189

Part Modeling Exercise 190

Creating a Base Feature 191

Creating a Second Feature 192

Creating a Sketch-Based Hole Feature 194

Creating a Rectangular Hole Pattern 197

Editing Sketches and Features 199

Repairing Features and Sketches 202

The Bottom Line 204

Chapter 5 • Advanced Modeling Techniques 207

Creating Complex Sweeps and Lofts 207

Creating and Using Sweeps 208

Exploring Sweep Options 210

Creating Loft Features 214

Creating a Part Using Loft and Sculpt 221

Creating Multi-body Parts 223

Creating Multiple Solids 223

Using One Solid to Shape Another 225

Creating Derived Parts and Assemblies 230

Creating Derived Parts 230

Deriving a Part File 230

Deriving an Assembly File 232

Modifying Derived Parts 233

Using the Component Derive Tool 233

Working with Patterns 233

Rectangular Patterns 233

Circular Patterns 234

Patterns Along Curves 236

The Coil Tool and Spiral Patterns 238

Pattern Solids 240

Dynamic Patterns 243

Setting iProperties and Parameters 244

iProperties 244

Part Parameters 245

Assembly Parameters 250

Adding Part Tolerances 250

Tolerances in Sketches 251

Setting Global File Tolerances 252

Working with Limits and Fits 254

Working with Free-Form Modeling and Direct Editing Tools 257

Free-Form Modeling 257

Using the Direct Edit Tool 264

Troubleshooting Failures with the End-of-Part Marker 265

Step 1: Editing the First Feature 266

Step 2: Moving the EOP Marker Down One Feature at a Time 267

The Bottom Line 268

Chapter 6 • Sheet Metal 269

Understanding Sheet-Metal Parts 269

Getting to Know the Features 270

Starting with a Base Feature 270

Creating Secondary Flange Features 276

Adding, Removing, or Deforming Material 285

Using Sheet-Metal Templates and Rules 302

What Are Sheet-Metal Rules? 302

Working with Styles and Templates 310

Working with the Flat Pattern 311

Exploring the Flat Pattern Edit Features 311

Adding Manufacturing Information to the Flat Pattern 311

Using the Flat Pattern Definition Dialog Box 313

Manufacturing Your Flat Pattern 314

Using Sheet-Metal iPart Factories 315

iParts for Confi gurations 316

iParts for Fold Progression 316

Modeling with Non-Sheet-Metal Features 317

Selecting Problematic Features 317

Using Surface-Based Workflows 317

Working with Imported Parts 318

Setting Yourself Up for Success 318

Converting Components 318

Annotating Your Sheet-Metal Design 319

Creating a View of Your Sheet-Metal Design 319

Adding Bend, Punch, and Flat Pattern Annotations 321

The Bottom Line 323

Chapter 7 • Reusing Parts and Features 325

Working with iParts 325

Creating and Modifying iParts 326

Using iParts in Designs 338

Working with iFeatures 340

Creating iFeatures 341

Creating Punch Features 345

Reusing Existing Geometry 349

Copying Features 349

Cloning 351

Linking Parameters Between Two Files 352

Copying Sketches 353

Introducing Content Center 355

Confi guring Content Center 356

Using Content Center 358

Publishing Parts to Content Center 366

The Bottom Line 369

Chapter 8 • Assembly Design Workflows 371

Assembly Relationships 372

Degrees of Freedom 372

Grounded Components 374

How the Constrain Tool Works 375

How the Joint Tool Works 376

Working with Constraints 377

Additional Constrain Tools and Options 391

Working with Joint Relationships 397

Understanding Subassemblies 408

Top-Down Design 410

Developing an Efficient Assembly Workflow 410

Layout Sketches 414

Flexibility 417

Adaptivity 417

Creating Adaptivity 418

Removing Adaptivity from Parts 420

Assembly Features 421

Managing the Bill of Materials 423

Parts-Level BOM Control 424

Assembly-Level BOM Control 424

Assembly Reuse and Configurations 431

Copying Designs 431

Using Representations 433

Using iAssemblies 443

Use Assembly Design Accelerators 447

Functional Design vsGeometric Modeling 447

Working with Design Accelerators 448

The Bottom Line 455

Chapter 9 • Large Assembly Strategies 457

Selecting a Workstation 457

Physical Memory vs Virtual Memory 458

Hardware 458

Working with Performance Settings 461

Express Mode 461

Working with Drawing Settings 461

Working with Model Display Settings 465

Working with General Settings 466

Using the Memory Probe 468

Working with System Settings 469

Large Assembly Best Practices 470

Working with the Model 470

Improving File Open Time 471

Reducing Assembly Constraints 471

Adaptivity 474

Selection Tools 475

View Representations 477

Find 477

Opening the Model 478

Working with Large Assembly Drawings 479

Managing Assembly Detail 483

LOD Strategies 483

Substitute LODs 485

Subassembly LODs 487

Simplifying Parts 489

Removing or Suppressing Unneeded Features 489

The Bottom Line 491

Chapter 10 • Weldment Design 493

Exploring Weldment Design Methodologies 493

Part Files and Part Features 494

Weldment Assembly and Derived Technology 494

Weldment Assembly 495

Multi-body Part Files 496

Modeling Preparations 497

Exploring Cosmetic Welds 499

Creating a Simple Cosmetic Weld 501

Using Split Faces to Place Cosmetic Welds 502

Placing Cosmetic Welds with Extents 502

Creating Weld Beads 503

Creating Fillet Welds 504

Modeling a Fillet Weld 505

Fillet Welds and Gaps 507

Creating Intermittent Fillet Welds 508

Creating Groove Welds 509

Performing Machining Operations 512

Exploring Weld Properties and Combinations 513

Weld Properties 513

Replication 514

Groove and Fillet Weld Combinations 514

Split Technique 515

Using the Weld Symbol 517

Understanding Bead Property Report and Mass Properties 518

Creating Drawing Documentation 519

Weldment Design Stages 521

End Fill 523

Drawing Weld Symbols 524

Caterpillar 525

Generating a Bill of Materials and Parts List 526

The Bottom Line 527

Chapter 11 • Presentations and Exploded Views 529

Getting Started 530

Working in the Presentation Environment 530

Creating an Automatically Exploded Presentation 532

Creating Tweaks Individually 535

Preparing the Exploded Presentation to Be Used in an Animation 538

Hiding Components from View During Animations 544

Rounding Up Presentation Preparation 546

Creating and Publishing Animations 546

Animation File Types and Compression Codecs 547

The Bottom Line 549

Chapter 12 • Documentation 551

Creating Drawing Views 551

Creating a Base View 552

Moving and Copying Views 556

Creating Section Views 557

Slice Views 561

Using Breakout Views 562

Using Detail Views 566

Creating Break Views 567

Cropping Views 570

Using Draft Views 570

Creating Overlay Views 570

Annotating Part Drawings 571

Using Centerline and Center Marks 571

Creating Dimensions 576

Hole and Thread Notes 588

Leadered Symbols589

Drawing Text 590

General Tables 590

Hole Tables 592

Annotating Assembly Drawings 594

Assembly Representations 595

Reference Data in Drawing Views 597

Interference and Tangent Edge Display 598

Parts Lists 599

Balloons 601

Center of Gravity Display 603

Working with Sheet-Metal Drawings 604

Flat Pattern Views 604

Bend Centerlines and Extents 605

Bend and Punch Notes 605

Bend Tables 606

Punch Tables 607

Working with Weldment Views 608

Working with iParts and iAssembly Drawings 610

Drawing Standards 611

Creating Templates and Styles 612

Understanding Template Locations 613

Choosing a File Format 614

Utilizing Drawing Resources 615

Sheet Size 615

Multiple Sheets 616

Creating a Border 616

Creating a Title Block 618

Prompted Entry 623

Sketched Symbols 625

AutoCAD Blocks 627

Sketched Symbol Libraries 627

Sheet Formats 628

Transferring Drawing Resources 629

Editing Styles and Standards 630

Object Defaults 631

Creating Styles 634

Working with Substyles 635

Drawing Style Administration 636

Sharing Your Drawings Outside Your Workgroup 636

The Bottom Line 637

Chapter 13 • Tools Overview 641

Exploring the BIM Exchange 641

Assembly Model Simplification 642

Part Model Simplification 647

Model Authoring 649

Model Publishing 650

Using AutoLimits 653

Creating AutoLimits 655

Editing AutoLimits 657

Using the Design Assistant 658

Using the Find Files Tool 660

Using the Where Used Tool 661

Renaming, Copying, and Replacing Files 663

Using Pack And Go 664

Using the Drawing Resource Transfer Wizard 667

Using the Style Library Manager 668

Using the Task Scheduler 670

Creating a Task for Migrating Files 671

Performing Sequential Tasks 673

Performing Custom Tasks 674

Tweaking Multi-Process Settings 674

Publishing DWF Files and Filenames 675

Using iProperties 675

Copying iProperties to Drawings 677

Creating Expressions with iProperties 678

Working with the Design Assistant and iProperties 679

Creating Design Property Reports 680

Using the Measure Tools 681

Using Measurement Helpers 681

Measuring in Assemblies 683

Participating in the CIP and CER R 683

Participating in the CIP 683

Participating in CER 684

Using Miscellaneous Tools 684

Using the Autodesk Multi-Sheet Plot Tool 684

Using the Add-In Manager 685

Using the Project Editor 686

The Bottom Line 686

Chapter 14 • Exchanging Data with Other Systems 687

Importing and Exporting Geometry 687

Importing vsReferencing Geometry 688

Translating DWG and DXF Files 695

Mechanical Desktop DWG 703

STEP and IGES 704

SAT 706

CATIA Import Options 706

Pro/ENGINEER Import Options 707

Unigraphics and Parasolids Import Options 707

SolidWorks Import Options 708

Rhino Import Options 708

SMT Import Options 708

JT Import Options708

STL Import Options 709

IDF Board Files 709

Working with Imported Data 711

Repair Tools 711

Edit Solid Tools 711

Viewing DWF Markup 714

Publishing a DWF or DWFx File 715

Reviewing and Marking Up DWF and DWFx Files 716

Accessing DWF or DWFx Markups in Inventor 717

The Bottom Line 718

Chapter 15 • Frame Generator 719

Accessing Frame Generator Tools 719

Exploring the Frame Generator File Structure 720

Exploring the Anatomy of a Frame Member 722

Inserting Frame Members 723

Specifying a Structural Shape 723

Changing the Orientation 724

Selecting Placement Geometry 725

Creating a Basic Frame 726

Aligning Frame Members 730

Using the Change Tool731

Adding End Treatments 732

Miter 733

Trim/Extend to Face 736

Trim to Frame Member 737

Notch Frame Members 738

Lengthen/Shorten Frame Member 739

Reuse Frame Members 739

Maintaining Frames 741

Remove End Treatments 741

Frame Member Information 741

Refresh 741

Performing Calculations and Analysis 742

The Beam and Column Calculator 742

Publishing Frame Members 751

Authoring a Part 751

Publishing a Part 754

Frame Assemblies and BOMs 755

The Bottom Line 756

Chapter 16 • Inventor Studio 757

How to Make Your Models Look Great, Live Onscreen 758

Materials and Appearances 758

Visual Styles Settings 764

Saving an Image 773

Rounding Up 773

An Introduction to Inventor Studio 774

How to Create a Still Image (Render) 776

Inventor Studio Lighting Styles 780

How to Add Local Lights 781

How to Add Cameras 784

How to Create an Animated Render 788

Animating with Inventor Studio 790

Inventor Studio Video Producer 796

Rendering Animations 797

Inventor Studio Roundup 798

The Bottom Line 799

Chapter 17 • Stress Analysis and Dynamic Simulation 801

Introducing Analysis 801

Conducting Stress Analysis Simulations 802

Simulation Guide 803

Static Stress vsModal Analysis 803

Simplifying Your Model 803

Specifying Materials 804

Applying Simulation Constraints 805

Applying Loads 806

Specifying Contact Conditions 808

Preparing Thin Bodies 810

Generating a Mesh 810

Running the Simulation 812

Interpreting the Results 813

Using the Result, Scaling, Display, and Report Tools 814

Conducting Parameter Studies 815

Conducting a Frame Analysis 819

Frame Analysis Settings 819

Frame Constraints 819

Frame Loads 820

Connections 821

Results821

Conducting Dynamic Simulations 823

Working with Joints 823

More on Working with Joints 827

Working with Redundancy 828

Working with Environmental Constraints 829

Running a Simulation 835

Exporting to FEA 838

Using the Dynamic Simulation Information in Stress Analysis 839

The Bottom Line 839

Chapter 18 • Routed Systems 841

Tube and Pipe 841

Understanding Routes, Runs, and Assembly Structure 841

Tube and Pipe Settings 843

Exploring the Tube and Pipe Styles 844

Placing Fittings 849

Creating Routes 850

Exporting ISOGEN Files 859

Cable and Harness 859

Creating and Placing Electrical Parts 860

Creating a Harness 863

Placing Wires 865

Using the Cable & Harness Library 866

Placing Cables 867

Placing and Editing Segments 868

Copying Cable and Harness Designs 871

Creating Nailboard Drawings 873

The Bottom Line 875

Chapter 19 • Plastics Design Features 877

Creating Thicken/Offset Features 878

Creating Shell Features 879

Creating Split Features 881

Creating Grill Features 882

Creating Rule Fillet Features 884

Creating Rest Features 886

Creating Boss Features 888

Creating Lip and Groove Features 891

Creating Snap-Fit Features 892

Creating Rib and Web Features 894

Creating Draft Features 896

Mold Design Overview 898

Inventor Tooling 898

Importing a Plastic Part 899

Creating Runners and Gates 902

Analyzing and Creating Cores and Cavities 904

Working with Mold Bases 907

Working with Ejectors and Sprue Bushings 909

The Bottom Line 912

Chapter 20 • iLogic 915

What Is iLogic? 915

Understanding iLogic Rules 916

What Are Functions? 916

Conditional Statements 919

Understanding the iLogic Elements and Interface 921

Exploring iLogic Parameter Types 921

Using the iLogic Browser 924

Understanding the iTrigger 930

Working with Event Triggers 930

Creating iLogic Parameters, Rules, and Forms 931

Creating iLogic Rules 931

Creating iLogic Forms 946

Working with iLogic Components 957

iLogic Design Copy 958

The Bottom Line 959

Appendix A • Th e Bottom Line 961

Chapter 1: Getting Started 961

Chapter 2: A Hands-on Test-Drive of the Workflow 963

Chapter 3: Sketch Techniques 964

Chapter 4: Basic Modeling Techniques 966

Chapter 5: Advanced Modeling Techniques 968

Chapter 6: Sheet Metal 970

Chapter 7: Reusing Parts and Features 973

Chapter 8: Assembly Design Workfl ows 974

Chapter 9: Large Assembly Strategies 977

Chapter 10: Weldment Design 978

Chapter 11: Presentations and Exploded Views 980

Chapter 12: Documentation 981

Chapter 13: Tools Overview 984

Chapter 14: Exchanging Data with Other Systems 986

Chapter 15: Frame Generator 987

Chapter 16: Inventor Studio 988

Chapter 17: Stress Analysis and Dynamic Simulation 991

Chapter 18: Routed Systems 991

Chapter 19: Plastics Design Features 992

Chapter 20: iLogic 995

Appendix B • Autodesk Inventor 2016 Certification 999

Index 1009

Paul Munford is an Application Engineer for Graitec Professional Services. Until recently Paul was the CAD/CAM manager for a cabinet maker in the United Kingdom. In his role as a CAD manager and drafter, Paul used CAD for setting out joinery and communicating project ideas to clients. Outside of work, Paul shares his love of CAD as the author of Cadsetterout.com, a blog devoted to sharing tips, tricks, and tutorials for AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor.
Paul Normand is a principal content developer at Autodesk, Inc. Previously, he designed high voltage electrical substation equipment and high tech laboratory equipment. He became an applications engineer for an Autodesk reseller and spent the next sixteen years demonstrating, training, and supporting Autodesk manufacturing software.