#1 most frequent
United States of America
42.0%5,949 installations of 14,151
What is Autodesk Inventor?
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 the 3D model.
Categories & Use Cases
Videos
Top Performing Features
Simulation and Analysis
Provides tools for simulating physical properties and behaviors of designs, allowing users to test and optimize their designs before production.
Category average: 6.3
3D Modeling
Allows users to create and manipulate 3D objects with precise measurements and control.
Category average: 7.8
Parametric Design
Enables users to define and modify design parameters, allowing for faster iteration and design changes.
Category average: 7.6
Areas for Improvement
Documentation and Annotation
Allows users to create detailed technical drawings, including the ability to add dimensions, annotations, and symbols.
Category average: 7.2
2D Drafting
Provides tools for creating and editing 2D drawings, including the ability to add dimensions, annotations, and symbols.
Category average: 8.3
Collaboration and Sharing
Provides tools for sharing and collaborating on designs with others in real-time, including the ability to track changes and manage design revisions.
Category average: 7.1
Who Buys & Uses Autodesk Inventor
#2 most frequent
Germany
10.8%1,534 installations of 14,151
#3 most frequent
Canada
6.1%862 installations of 14,151
Powerful but not collaborative.
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
I teach students mechanical design using Inventor as it is a common tool used in the manufacturing and engineering industry.
Pros
- Robust tools.
- Intuitive User Interface.
- Ability to share projects across platforms and file types.
Cons
- Requires large download to use.
- Files not collaborative.
- Limited to just design side (no CAM functions).
Return on Investment
- Free for education/educators.
- Must be run on PC (not chromebook compatible).
- Integrates with all other Autodesk programs.
Usability
Alternatives Considered
Autodesk Fusion Manage, Onshape and SOLIDWORKS
Other Software Used
Onshape, Google Classroom, Google Calendar
Autodesk Inventor is worth a look
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
Autodesk Inventor is used to fully model our products. Those models are used for customer approval, parts list generation, and fabrication of our products. Our engineers use Autodesk Inventor to detail design with annotated drawings as well as supply the production team with DXF files for cutting and forming of sheet metal. The 3D models also allow team leaders to give feedback to the engineering team earlier in the design process.
Pros
- 3D models
- allowing for customization via API and iLogic
- ability to export parts lists
Cons
- most if it still runs on a single core. Please fix this
- Crashes. In our experience, too many crashes. We have high end machines and crashes are way too common.
- Autosave. I think it is simply unacceptable that Autodesk Inventor combines common crashes with no autosave functionality. We feel this pain all the time.
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.
Alternatives Considered
SOLIDWORKS
Other Software Used
Autodesk Vault
Inventor - Undisputed
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
Primary tool to engineer complete systems from the smallest part upto the assembled lines put together. Furthermore we design our units and equipment in Inventor, as well as creating exploded views for parts lists and visuals for sales purposes and user manuals. We are now making steps in the FEA-module
Pros
- Sheet metal features
- 2D drawing tools
- VBA / iLogic integration
Cons
- Style management
- State changes can not be made from within Inventor
Return on Investment
- With CTO-designs and VBA capabilities in Inventor our engineering time is reduced by 80%
- With the capability to import non-native extensions we don't have to remodel 3rd party models
Alternatives Considered
SOLIDWORKS
Other Software Used
Autodesk Vault
Best Cost Effective solution for Product design companies as well as Manufacturer's.
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
We are using Autodesk Inventor for plant design engineering. Most of our product are made by sheet metal. We are large equipment manufacturing company in middle east. I am working there as a mechanical design engineer. I used Autodesk Inventor for our product design for manufacturing. I like the way of Inventor for generating the DXF for laser cutting. and Inventor also saves our most of calculation time by using simple command called nesting. Inventor is budget software as compared to others.
Pros
- Sheet metal product design
- Flat pattern development
- Inventor do Nesting very well
- Frame design
- Basic simulation
Cons
- Inventor crash unexpectedly company should improve it.
- Add more library content
- Memory uses should be balance
Most Important Features
- Nesting
- Flat pattern development
- Pack and go
- Project files configuration & update
Return on Investment
- Inventor is budget software as compare to other software
- We faced software crash issue many time
- Should be improve in next update
Alternatives Considered
SOLIDWORKS
Other Software Used
SOLIDWORKS, Autodesk Fusion 360, AutoCAD
3D modeling & assembling done right the first time.
Pros
- It is easy to make custom sheet metal templates to save and use on future projects. Once assembled, it will tell the weight of the assembly and the surface area. It will also give you the center of gravity on a part or assembly, if you need to lift the assembly with a crane or lift to allow for proper jigging placements.
- Autodesk has some great 3rd-party apps in the application store to allow for flat pattern exports of assemblies and eliminate expensive 3rd-party software.
Cons
- It is a hog on memory card and operating system.
- There's not too much I can complain about. I really like working with it, mainly because that's all I am familiar with.
Return on Investment
- Careless users forget to look at assemblies and make sure everything fits together as it should.
Other Software Used
AutoCAD, QuickBooks Desktop Pro
