Autodesk Inventor vs. Autodesk Maya

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Autodesk Inventor
Score 8.2 out of 10
N/A
Autodesk Inventor 3D CAD software offers professional-grade 3D mechanical design, documentation, and product simulation tools. These blend parametric, direct, freeform, and rules-based design capabilities. Inventor includes integrated tools for sheet metal, frame design, tube and pipe, cable & harness, presentations, rendering, simulation, and machine design. It also features TrustedDWG® compatibility and Model-Based Definition capabilities for embedding manufacturing information directly in…
$305
per month per user
Autodesk Maya
Score 8.4 out of 10
N/A
Autodesk offers Maya, a 3D animation, modeling, simulation and rendering tool available to artists, animators, and educators, used to create realistic characters, models, and scenes, as well as effects such as explosions, cloth movement, etc.
$235
per month per user
Pricing
Autodesk InventorAutodesk Maya
Editions & Modules
Subscription - Monthly
$305
per month per user
Subscription - Yearly
$2440
per year per user
Subscription - 3 Years
$7320
3 years per user
Monthly
$235
per month per user
Yearly
$1875
per year per user
3-Year
$5625
3 years per user
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Autodesk InventorAutodesk Maya
Free Trial
YesYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsAlso available for limited use through tokens on a Flex plan.Maya is also available through Autodesk's Flex plan and pricing. Tokens expire 1 year from date of purchase. Not all products and features are available with Flex. Students and teachers at qualified academic institutions worldwide are eligible for free access to Autodesk software for one-year through the Autodesk Education Community.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Autodesk InventorAutodesk Maya
Considered Both Products
Autodesk Inventor
Chose Autodesk Inventor
Fusion works very similarly to Inventor as it is from the same company. SolidWorks is also fairly similar, with only small features/functions and user interface differences. Onshape functions similarly to Inventor, but is web-based, so it requires no download to use. It is …
Chose Autodesk Inventor
Very similar products. In my opinion, Autodesk Inventor is better at sheet metal and that is why we are not using SolidWorks. It has been a while since we have used SolidWorks so beyond that the comparison is difficult.
Chose Autodesk Inventor
I have no current experience with Solidworks
Chose Autodesk Inventor
I used to work on Solidworks CAD modeling software. but now, I am working with Autodesk Inventor. Inventor in budget software for new start-up companies. and Inventor provide a product bundle in one. So, you will get the other beneficial software also. and we can also design …
Chose Autodesk Inventor
Autodesk seems more detailed and easier to use when it comes to the 3D side and the compatibility is easier to convert when needed.
Chose Autodesk Inventor
We chose Inventor because the team had some historic experience with older versions of AutoCAD. Our market services primarily building engineers, so to export directly to a REVIT file was critical.
Chose Autodesk Inventor
I definitely prefer SOLIDWORKS to Inventor. For part modeling, SOLIDWORKS is second to none. Because Inventor is part of the Autodesk suite, if you are wrapped up in AutoCAD information and data, it's possible that Inventor may be the part modeling tool you would naturally use. …
Chose Autodesk Inventor
In my opinion, Autodesk Inventor is easier to set up and use. It also has iLogic that has added many more design options over what I have been able to accomplish in SOLIDWORKS.
Chose Autodesk Inventor
Solidworks: Better with surfaces and weld
Catia: Works well with complex assemblies with 1000+ components
Chose Autodesk Inventor
When it comes to solid modeling, the bad choices died out years ago. So we looked at the total ecosystem and chose Autodesk Inventor because of the integration with Nastran, HSM (machining), Autodesk CFD, MoldFlow, and AutoCAD. This means our legacy data (2D) is still a valid …
Chose Autodesk Inventor
As previously mentioned in an earlier question, Autodesk Inventor has found the happy middle ground for my 3D CAD needs. Autodesk is easy to pick up but complex enough to allow for all our CAD needs to be filled. I personally didn't select Autodesk Inventor (it was what the …
Chose Autodesk Inventor
Some of the features are more intuitive in Inventor. For example, there is an auto mid-plane function in Inventor that doesn't exist in Solidworks. Also, the mouse controls are easier to use in Inventor. It is easier to spin and rotate the part in Inventor, this action is a …
Chose Autodesk Inventor
Autodesk inventor has a free trial, and CATIA doesn’t.
Chose Autodesk Inventor
Inventor and SolidWorks compare nicely with it coming down to user preference. Both are great modeling tools, with Autodesk providing more flexibility through its subscription add-ons. Although AutoCAD exists in a different environment it is still used for design although less …
Chose Autodesk Inventor
We selected Inventor since we were deeply invested in AutoCAD for previous 2D designs and this was smoother integration with existing design practices.
Chose Autodesk Inventor
AutoCAD is difficult to use and adapt to while Inventor is easier to use. AutoCAD works based on designing and discovering new items while Inventor targets users who want to test something in motion.
Chose Autodesk Inventor
Inventor is more intuitive and directional when it comes to the creation of parts and assemblies. The commands are also simpler and easier to understand than Solidworks. Inventor also has the support and presence in the market that allows for it to be utilized for different …
Chose Autodesk Inventor
Audesk Inventor is better than Solidworks in all ways, better than OnShape in important ways, but not as good on collaboration tools, and more professional than Fusion 360.
Chose Autodesk Inventor
I've listed Solidworks, SDRC Ideas and Pro/Engineer as alternative and comparable applications. SDRC Ideas is an extinct product, and Pro/E is available as it's descendent, PTC CREO, I think. Of the two alternatives, Solidworks is easier for me to use and I can do more with it, …
Chose Autodesk Inventor
Inventor is a more detailed modeling software then Revit or Fabrication. AutoCAD of course has been around for many years and will continue to have a place because it seems to be the base for all of the modeling software using .dwg file types. Inventor has the ability using the …
Chose Autodesk Inventor
I believe Autodesk Inventor is the easiest 3D modeling software to use, but it might not be the most cost effective though. The best thing about Inventor is the learning curve. It makes bringing new people up to speed much easier.

I do believe that Solidworks has better …
Chose Autodesk Inventor
ANSYS is far more expensive and has a steeper learning curve. Autodesk has many flexible and scale-able licensing options that adapt to our institutional needs and IT infrastructure. Furthermore, it allows our students to have free educational software running in their own …
Chose Autodesk Inventor
Inventor is a very similar design platform as SolidWorks. I have used both over the last 19 years. Functionality is very similar. In my own experiences, SolidWorks has proven to be easier for new users to learn but Inventor has improved in that area over the last few years.
Chose Autodesk Inventor
Autodesk Inventor has the same underlying features as both SolidWorks and Fusion 360. Being made by the same company, Autodesk Inventor and Fusion 360 are pretty much the same product, except Fusion 360 is an online version. SolidWorks is much more advanced than the other …
Autodesk Maya
Chose Autodesk Maya
The UI of 3ds Max is not that good and very old, not the best. Blender is the best for everything, especially its modeling and animation tools are not the best as compared to Autodesk Maya. Cinema 4D is good for motion graphics and create vibrant renders but it has limited …
Chose Autodesk Maya
Autodesk Maya is better than these other softwares because Autodesk Maya is a software that does not have updates every time, and this means that you do not have to waste time seeing what has been updated and what has not.
Chose Autodesk Maya
We were evaluating the products within the Adobe portfolio like Adobe Animate, Adobe PhotoShop, Adobe After Effects majorly among few others before finalising on the Autodesk Maya. One of the major reasons for that was earlier experience with the Autodesk Maya tool for the …
Chose Autodesk Maya
All are different and cannot compare with each other's abilities. Maya is more powerful than any other software compared to.
Chose Autodesk Maya
Animating in Autodesk Maya is much more convenient and easier in comparison to Blender. It's easier to use features like constrains, motion trails, and attribute editors in Autodesk Maya. Most of the time I use blender for modeling and Autodesk Maya for animation. Either way, I …
Chose Autodesk Maya
You can create solids, figures in 3D, and especially organic forms, more easily and efficiently using Maya than with other programs or in specific Catia. You can also create different pieces to later assemble them, and thus create figures even more complex or in greater detail. …
Chose Autodesk Maya
There are list of alternatives of Autodest Maya: SideFX Houdini, Blender. We use them all depending on the task.

Features
Autodesk InventorAutodesk Maya
Computer-Aided Design Software
Comparison of Computer-Aided Design Software features of Product A and Product B
Autodesk Inventor
7.5
Ratings
1% above category average
Autodesk Maya
-
Ratings
3D Modeling8.10 Ratings00 Ratings
2D Drafting7.60 Ratings00 Ratings
Rendering and Visualization7.70 Ratings00 Ratings
Parametric Design7.90 Ratings00 Ratings
Collaboration and Sharing4.40 Ratings00 Ratings
Compatibility with other software and formats7.80 Ratings00 Ratings
Assembly Design7.70 Ratings00 Ratings
Simulation and Analysis8.30 Ratings00 Ratings
Documentation and Annotation7.70 Ratings00 Ratings
Customization and Extensions7.90 Ratings00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Autodesk InventorAutodesk Maya
Small Businesses
Onshape
Onshape
Score 6.4 out of 10
Onshape
Onshape
Score 6.4 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Onshape
Onshape
Score 6.4 out of 10
Onshape
Onshape
Score 6.4 out of 10
Enterprises
Rhino
Rhino
Score 8.4 out of 10
Rhino
Rhino
Score 8.4 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Autodesk InventorAutodesk Maya
Likelihood to Recommend
8.0
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
9.2
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
8.0
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
8.1
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
In-Person Training
6.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Configurability
10.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Autodesk InventorAutodesk Maya
Likelihood to Recommend
Autodesk Inventor is well-suited for situations where you are creating 3D models of small, simple parts and assemblies. It is hands-down the fastest and most reliable way to get this done. When you are looking for a software that has many advanced features and controls to create an assembly of 20+ parts, you need to look for other software.
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We have the design team using that to create videos for our concepts in the Cyber security - Products, services and solutions as well as in AI/ML, basically everything that needs to be communicated in the best way we use Autodesk Maya for the videos thus making it more fun and easy to understand the concepts to get going.
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Pros
  • You can make designs (CAD) and you can also manufacture them (CAM) and do not need an interface like Solidworks to recognize it in a CNC.
  • Inventor is very easy to use to create realistic, solid designs.
  • The software allows you to design and see where problems are in real-time.
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  • Easy to build workflow due to strong customizability.
  • Industry share. Easy to collaborate with other companies.
  • Strong cooperation with other software.
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Cons
  • Inventor demonstrates a lack of fluidity in the process of transferring data between programs.
  • Inventor shows some lack of sophistication that certain features that are readily available in other design software packages are limited in use in Inventor.
  • Inventor can often have difficulty in creating models that show true color, as in blacks can come out as dark grays in certain renders, even when the material and appearance settings are the same from part to part.
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  • Autodesk Maya is pretty hard to learn in comparison to other softwares, many people find it very difficult to learn.
  • The cost of the software is pretty high and training on the software takes up lot of time and money.
  • The lack of procedural pipeline in the software making companies to move towards other softwares like houdini and blender.
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Likelihood to Renew
Inventor continues to meet our enterprise needs. I don't see a need to change unless we change our business model significantly.
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No answers on this topic
Usability
It is quite user-friendly as long as you have the computing power to download and use it. However, this makes it quite inconvenient if you are trying to access files on different devices, as Inventor has to be loaded on all of those devices. While the program itself works just fine, it would be much better for my application if it, or a version, were web-based and allowed users to access and modify projects from anywhere.
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As Autodesk Maya was one of the first softwares I learned, so I feel very fun to work with it. The overall usabilty feels very natural to me and I felt it's easy to learn but tough to master kind of software. Some people find it very difficult to learn, so I deduced some rating points.
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Support Rating
I'm giving the overall support rating a 5 only because I rarely have to use it. Trying to find the answer on the help pages hardly ever helps me because any problem I have is usually too deep for what the help offers. Given the popularity of Autodesk, I have always been able to find an answer online after doing enough looking!
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No answers on this topic
In-Person Training
I got the training during college, so mostly i learned on my own
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No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
ANSYS is far more expensive and has a steeper learning curve. Autodesk has many flexible and scale-able licensing options that adapt to our institutional needs and IT infrastructure. Furthermore, it allows our students to have free educational software running in their own personal computers, allowing them to work at home and be more productive with it.
Read full review
The UI of 3ds Max is not that good and very old, not the best. Blender is the best for everything, especially its modeling and animation tools are not the best as compared to Autodesk Maya. Cinema 4D is good for motion graphics and create vibrant renders but it has limited options to create things.
Read full review
Return on Investment
  • We are working toward full engineering integration with Autodesk Inventor. This will remove most of the human error in our current processes.
  • Production team is moving away from physical samples to using Autodesk Inventor models. This is a cost savings and helps us manage change better.
  • Autodesk Inventor iLogic is allowing us to automate some of our engineering. This is proving to make one job 20% faster to complete with fewer errors.
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  • The pros is speeding up workflow . The ability to customize Maya for various tasks on their own.
  • Another pros is easy programming study. Automation of routine tasks did not require deep knowledge in programming.
  • There was one negative thing. The transition from a permanent license to a one-year subscription in 2016-2017, as the previous purchased licenses were canceled by the Autodesk.
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ScreenShots