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Autodesk Inventor

Autodesk Inventor

Overview

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,…

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Recent Reviews

TrustRadius Insights

Autodesk Inventor is widely used in various industries and departments for a range of applications. In the field of mechanical …
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Awards

Products that are considered exceptional by their customers based on a variety of criteria win TrustRadius awards. Learn more about the types of TrustRadius awards to make the best purchase decision. More about TrustRadius Awards

Reviewer Pros & Cons

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Pricing

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Subscription - Monthly

$305

On Premise
per month per user

Subscription - Yearly

$2440

On Premise
per year per user

Subscription - 3 Years

$7320

On Premise
3 years per user

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee
For the latest information on pricing, visithttps://www.autodesk.com/products/inven…

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services

Starting price (does not include set up fee)

  • $300 12 days over 1 year via Flex pricing 100 tokens
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Product Demos

Inventor Fabrication Drawings Product Demonstration Recording

YouTube

Autodesk Inventor Design Accelerators Product Demonstration

YouTube

Autodesk Inventor Assembly Modelling Product Demonstration

YouTube

Inventor Part Modelling Product Demonstration

YouTube

Design Automation with Inventor iLogic Webinar Recording

YouTube

Placing a Component using Autodesk Inventor iLogic

YouTube
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Product Details

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.

Additional features include:
  • Feedback with built-in collaboration tools.
  • Feedback from stakeholders wherever they are using cloud-based design review.
  • Design configuration through a customizable form to rapidly configure new designs powered by iLogic.
  • Can create a simplified 3D representation of a product along with the required metadata and product classification for use in a BIM project.
  • 3D dimensions, annotations, and dimensional tolerances directly to a 3D model for downstream applications.
  • Standard and customizable content libraries available, including beams, bolted connections, gears, cams, belts, and springs.
  • Design optimization, with tools that help the user find high and low concentrations of stress in a 3D model.
  • Parametric, freeform, and direct modeling tools.
  • Push/pull controls to move, rotate, resize, or scale features from imported geometries.
  • Built-in calculators to inform the design of common joints such as welds, clamps, and press fits.
  • Combines automated tools and full-control design functions in Inventor to build tube and pipe runs.
  • Dynamic simulation, with forces to evaluate the motion, speed, and acceleration of a design.
  • Exploded views and animations of complex assemblies that can be used in product documentation, manuals, and assembly instructions.

Autodesk Inventor Features

  • Supported: Product design
  • Supported: Collaboration and design automation
  • Supported: Modeling
  • Supported: Connected Data
  • Supported: Simulation and visualization

Autodesk Inventor Video

Autodesk Inventor 2024 - What's New

Autodesk Inventor Competitors

Autodesk Inventor Technical Details

Deployment TypesOn-premise, Software as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based
Operating SystemsWindows
Mobile ApplicationNo

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Autodesk Inventor starts at $300.

SOLIDWORKS, PTC Creo, and CATIA are common alternatives for Autodesk Inventor.

Reviewers rate Support Rating highest, with a score of 8.1.

The most common users of Autodesk Inventor are from Mid-sized Companies (51-1,000 employees).
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Comparisons

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Reviews and Ratings

(83)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

Autodesk Inventor is widely used in various industries and departments for a range of applications. In the field of mechanical engineering, students and faculty utilize the software for classes such as mechanical design, introduction to CAD, and industrial engineering. It is also employed in workshops and individual projects for prototype development. Users leverage Autodesk Inventor as a 3D CAD software to model features and parts of prototypes before physical prototyping or 3D printing. The ability to easily share models with others in the company, regardless of whether they have Autodesk Inventor or not, is highly valued. Additionally, the software supports the transition from a 2D to a 3D environment, enabling engineering analysis, accurate BOM information, work instruction, and improved submittal information for customers.

Another important use case for Autodesk Inventor is in sheet metal product manufacturing. The software allows users to draw standard and sheet metal parts, assemble them in assemblies, and check for conflicts before bolting or welding the pieces together. It provides the capability to export sheet metal parts as flat patterns for processing using CNC plasma or laser cutters. Engineers find it convenient that both the shop and office staff are familiar with Autodesk Inventor, making it easier to address questions during assembly. However, some users have reported quirks and difficulties in transferring information between Autodesk Inventor and SOLIDWORKS, leading them to switch back to SOLIDWORKS after trying out Autodesk Inventor for a year.

In the design process, Autodesk Inventor is often used alongside AutoCAD and SOLIDWORKS to model parts, perform FEA for verification, and provide 3D files to customers for their builds. The software's user-friendly GUI, hole tool, and ability to work on projects without outsourcing are appreciated by users. Moreover, it fulfills the increasing demand for 3D models of finished products before finalizing the design process. Beyond mechanical engineering applications, Autodesk Inventor finds use in diverse areas such as model creation for custom air handling units, pressure vessels, and other production machinery. It is also utilized for modeling electrical, mechanical piping, and duct systems in the MEP department. The software's capability to generate DXF files for laser cutting and simplify the nesting process is particularly valued in plant design engineering.

Autodesk Inventor plays a crucial role in product development and design by offering simulation and analysis tools that aid engineers in modeling prototypes, performing analysis, and forecasting testing data. Its contribution to successful product development is highly regarded. Additionally, Autodesk Inventor is also widely used in educational settings, such as digital fabrication laboratories, where it facilitates the creation of new objects to support project development and enhance student learning. The software proves valuable for concept designing, design engineering, and final production purposes.

In different industries, Autodesk Inventor serves as the preferred 3D modeling software for various applications. It enables the design, detailing, and creation of drawings for components, subsystems, and tooling in industries like automatic riveting systems and aircraft assembly. Moreover, the software supports the modeling of custom capital equipment used in mining, recycling, and foundry industries, improving fit and finish during remakes.

The capabilities of Autodesk Inventor extend beyond engineering departments. It is also used by multiple divisions within organizations to create integrated workflow solutions, management of documents and designs, and designing electrical control cabinets and junction boxes. Users appreciate the ease of running FEA on models and creating high-quality and detailed models for customer interaction. Furthermore, all divisions of organizations find value in Autodesk Inventor as their chosen design software provider since it enables the design of all product lines.

Overall, Autodesk Inventor offers a range of robust features that cater to the diverse needs of users across different industries and departments. From mechanical engineering to plant design engineering, from educational labs to complex assembly files with multiple components, Autodesk Inventor has proven to be a versatile tool that enhances productivity and supports efficient design processes.

Unique drawing system: Multiple users have expressed appreciation for Inventor's unique drawing system. According to reviewers, this system allows for the development and modification of new components by creating sketches in XYZ planes. Users find it advantageous that Inventor treats 3D figures as solid parts rather than just computer drawings, enabling them to independently manipulate component parts within a complex system.

Simplicity and user-friendly interface: Reviewers have praised Inventor's simplicity and user-friendly interface. They note that each button, menu, and option in the software is accompanied by an explanation of its functionality, making it easy for users to understand and utilize various features. Additionally, advanced descriptions are available for those seeking a deeper understanding.

Exceptional speed: The exceptional speed of Inventor has been highlighted by multiple users. They report that everything renders extremely quickly in the software without any delays when examining 3D models, parts, or assemblies. This feature is particularly valuable when giving presentations or showcasing concepts in real-time to an audience.

Confusing User Interface: Many users have found the user interface of Autodesk Inventor to be confusing, especially when it comes to tasks such as moving files and managing parent/child relationships. They have expressed difficulties in navigating the software and understanding its organizational structure.

Difficulties with Style Manager: Some users have mentioned that the style manager in Autodesk Inventor could be improved. They find it difficult to choose or change styles related to materials, measurements, and dimensions. This limitation can lead to frustration and inefficiency during the design process.

Lack of Modeling Options for Curved Faces: Users have expressed dissatisfaction with the modeling options for creating curved faces using mesh in Autodesk Inventor. They feel that these options are lacking compared to other similar products on the market. As a result, achieving desired shapes and designs becomes more challenging and time-consuming.

Users recommend comparing Inventor to other CAD programs like SolidWorks or Solid Edge. They believe Inventor is easier to use than the competition and highly recommend it for students or beginners looking to get into CAD. Users also suggest trying Inventor before purchasing and comparing it to the competition. Professional training for employees using Inventor is recommended. Additionally, Inventor is recommended for projects in the Oil and Gas industry and for precision design. Implementing Inventor with Autodesk Vault is suggested as it works well for design automation and large models. Using community forums for support and problem-solving is highly recommended. Overall, users find Inventor to be a powerful three-dimensional modeling software that delivers quality for a fraction of the cost of other CAD software.

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-12 of 12)
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Scott Sichmeller | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We are working with ImainIT (Rand) as our integrator. They have been very proactive in offering support, and supported each of our integration steps to date. My team does not feel as though they have any question that cannot be addressed during a brief conversation, and we've not encountered any roadblocks to date.
Score 6 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
I think the support for Autodesk Inventor is very good. The staff at our reseller were very knowledgable and able to walk us through problems pretty easily. The training we received was very good also.
I will say that there were a couple of times we reached out to support with a question or challenge we had, and the support agent was not able to resolve our problem, and after touching base back we found out that there was not a solution for the problems we were experiencing. One of them was just how Inventor represents colors inconsistently at times, all things being equal. Another was that Inventor would not let decals on parts transcend to the assembly level. they just would not show up.
MITCHELL PILSON | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
There is a huge forum to get answers and Autodesk chimes in with input. There are also many Autodesk supported trainings you can find in local areas to get training on the new versions of the software or to increase your knowledge of the software.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
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!
Keith Cordero | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
It has a wealth of features and each feature is straight forward. There is a learning curve to this software, but once you get over that, modeling a part is a breeze. You can save in a number of file formats that can be read by other 3D software. Also, Inventor is very friendly when using it to 3D print.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Support for Inventor is great. This is supported by online tutorials and help forums that are actively supported by customer service or support teams. This accelerates the adoption of the service and allows for easy access to new users which can train themselves without the need for a great time or financial investment from the company.
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