Mastering Autodesk® Inventor® 2012 and Autodesk® Inventor LT™ 2012

Mastering Autodesk® Inventor® 2012 and Autodesk® Inventor LT™ 2012

Released May 2011
Publisher(s): Sybex
ISBN: 9781118016824

Read it now on the O’Reilly learning platform with a 10-day free trial.

O’Reilly members get unlimited access to books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.

Start your free trial

Book description

Master the "Inventor" way of 3D mechanical design with this expert guide

This Autodesk Official Training Guide is your best resource for learning how to create, document, and verify your design using Autodesk's powerful Inventor 2012 software. Mastering Inventor is a detailed reference and tutorial that quickly covers Inventor basics before moving on to detail topics rarely documented elsewhere, such as configuring your design with iLogic, practical ways to work with large assemblies, using 2D and 3D data from other CAD systems, working with styles and standards, designing and detailing weldments and frames, and working with Tube and Pipe and Cable and Harness design tools.

Expert author Curtis Waguespack draws on his extensive Inventor experience across multiple industries to provide you with a wealth of real-world tips, tricks, and techniques so readers can improve designs, work productively, and employ Inventor and industry-standard best practices. This Mastering book is recommended as a Certification Preparation study guide resource for the Inventor Associate and Professional exams.

  • Covers all the new features in Autodesk Inventor 2012 and Inventor LT 2012

  • Written by Inventor Certified Expert and Autodesk Manufacturing Implementation Certified Expert Curtis Waguespack, who draws on his extensive Inventor experience across multiple industries

  • Provides a wealth of real-world tips, tricks, and techniques for using Inventor in professional environments

  • Covers rapid digital prototyping, designing weldments and frames, sheet metal design, conducting dynamic simulation and stress analysis, and much more

  • Helps you prepare for the Autodesk Inventor 2012 Certified Associate and Certified Professional exams

Want to master Autodesk Inventor? Mastering Autodesk Inventor 2012 and Inventor LT 2012 is the resource you need.

Table of contents

  1. Cover Page
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Dear Reader,
  5. Acknowledgments
  6. About the Author
  7. Contents
  8. Introduction
    1. Who Should Read This Book
    2. The Mastering Series
    3. What Is Covered in This Book
    4. How to Contact the Author
  9. Chapter 1: Inventor Design Philosophy
    1. Understanding Parametric Design
    2. Understanding the “Feel” of Inventor
    3. Using the Inventor Graphical Interface
    4. Inventor Graphics Window Tools
    5. Learning the File Types in Inventor
    6. Moving from AutoCAD to Inventor
    7. 3D Models vs. 3D Virtual Prototypes
    8. Understanding Functional Design
    9. The Bottom Line
  10. Chapter 2: Data and Projects
    1. What Is an Inventor Project?
    2. Exploring Project File Types
    3. Creating the Project File
    4. Understanding Inventor Templates
    5. The Bottom Line
  11. Chapter 3: Sketch Techniques
    1. Exploring the Options and Settings for Sketches
    2. Sketching Basics
    3. Creating a Sketch in a New Part
    4. Taking a Closer Look at Sketch Constraints
    5. Gaining More Sketch Skills
    6. Creating Sketches from AutoCAD Geometry
    7. Creating and Using 3D Sketches
    8. Best Practices for Working with Sketches
    9. The Bottom Line
  12. Chapter 4: Basic Modeling Techniques
    1. Exploring Application Options and Settings for Part Modeling
    2. Creating Basic Part Features
    3. Exploring the Extrude Tool
    4. Creating Revolved Parts and Threads
    5. Creating Work Features
    6. Creating Fillets
    7. Hole Features
    8. Bend Parts
    9. The Bottom Line
  13. Chapter 5: Advanced Modeling Techniques
    1. Creating Complex Sweeps and Lofts
    2. Creating Multi-body Parts
    3. Creating Derived Parts and Assemblies
    4. Working with Patterns
    5. Setting iProperties and Parameters
    6. Adding Part Tolerances
    7. Troubleshooting Failures with the End-of-Part Marker
    8. The Bottom Line
  14. Chapter 6: Sheet Metal
    1. Understanding Sheet-Metal Parts
    2. Getting to Know the Features
    3. Using Sheet-Metal Templates and Rules
    4. Working with the Flat Pattern
    5. Using Sheet-Metal iPart Factories
    6. Modeling with Non-Sheet-Metal Features
    7. Working with Imported Parts
    8. Annotating Your Sheet-Metal Design
    9. Harvesting Legacy Sheet-Metal Templates
    10. The Bottom Line
  15. Chapter 7: Part and Feature Reuse
    1. Working with iParts
    2. Working with iFeatures
    3. Reusing Existing Geometry
    4. Introducing Content Center
    5. The Bottom Line
  16. Chapter 8: Assembly-Design Workflows
    1. Assembly Constraints
    2. Understanding Subassemblies
    3. Top-Down Design
    4. Adaptivity
    5. Assembly Features
    6. Managing the Bill of Materials
    7. Assembly Reuse and Configurations
    8. The Bottom Line
  17. Chapter 9: Large Assembly Strategies
    1. Selecting a Workstation
    2. Working with Performance Settings
    3. Working with General Settings
    4. Large Assembly Best Practices
    5. Managing Assembly Detail
    6. Simplifying Parts
    7. The Bottom Line
  18. Chapter 10: Weldment Design
    1. Exploring Weldment Design Methodologies
    2. Modeling Preparations
    3. Exploring Cosmetic Welds
    4. Creating Weld Beads
    5. Creating Fillet Welds
    6. Modeling a Fillet Weld
    7. Creating Intermittent Fillet Welds
    8. Creating Groove Welds
    9. Performing Machining Operations
    10. Exploring Weld Properties and Combinations
    11. Weld Properties
    12. Replication
    13. Groove and Fillet Weld Combinations
    14. Split Technique
    15. Using the Weld Symbol
    16. Understanding Bead Property Report and Mass Properties
    17. Creating Drawing Documentation
    18. Weldment Design Stages
    19. End Fill
    20. Drawing Weld Symbol
    21. Caterpillar
    22. Generating a Bill of Materials and Parts List
    23. The Bottom Line
  19. Chapter 11: Functional Design
    1. Geometric Modeling vs. Functional Design
    2. A General Introduction to Design Accelerators
    3. Bolted Connections
    4. Calculators
    5. Generators
    6. The Bottom Line
  20. Chapter 12: Documentation
    1. Working in the Presentation Environment
    2. Using the Drawing Manager
    3. Creating Templates and Styles
    4. Choosing a File Format
    5. Utilizing Drawing Resources
    6. Editing Styles and Standards
    7. Creating Drawing Views
    8. Annotating Part Drawings
    9. Annotating Assembly Drawings
    10. Working with Sheet-Metal Drawings
    11. Working with Weldment Views
    12. Working with iParts and iAssembly Drawings
    13. Sharing Your Drawings Outside Your Workgroup
    14. The Bottom Line
  21. Chapter 13: Inventor Tools Overview
    1. Exploring the BIM Exchange
    2. Using AutoLimits
    3. Using the Design Assistant
    4. Using the Drawing Resource Transfer Wizard
    5. Using Style Tools
    6. Exploring the Supplier Content Center
    7. Using the Task Scheduler
    8. Using iProperties
    9. Using the Measure Tools
    10. Participating in the CIP and CER
    11. Using Miscellaneous Tools
    12. The Bottom Line
  22. Chapter 14: Exchanging Data with Other Systems
    1. Importing and Exporting Geometry
    2. Using Inventor File Translators
    3. Working with Imported Data
    4. Viewing DWF Markup
    5. The Bottom Line
  23. Chapter 15: Frame Generator
    1. Accessing the Frame Generator Tools
    2. Exploring the Frame Generator File Structure
    3. Exploring the Anatomy of a Frame Member
    4. Inserting Frame Members
    5. Adding End Treatments
    6. Maintaining Frames
    7. Performing Calculations and Analysis
    8. Publishing Frame Members
    9. Frame Assemblies and BOMs
    10. The Bottom Line
  24. Chapter 16: Inventor Studio
    1. Exploring the Inventor Studio Environment
    2. Creating and Managing Studio Styles
    3. Animating with Studio
    4. The Bottom Line
  25. Chapter 17: Stress Analysis and Dynamic Simulation
    1. Introduction to Analysis
    2. Conducting Stress Analysis Simulations
    3. Conducting Dynamic Simulations
    4. Exporting to FEA
    5. Using the Dynamic Simulation Information in Stress Analysis
    6. The Bottom Line
  26. Chapter 18: Routed Systems
    1. Tube and Pipe
    2. Cable and Harness
    3. The Bottom Line
  27. Chapter 19: Plastics Design Features
    1. Creating Thicken/Offset Features
    2. Creating Shell Features
    3. Creating Split Features
    4. Creating Grill Features
    5. Creating Rule Fillet Features
    6. Creating Rest Features
    7. Creating Boss Features
    8. Creating Lip and Groove Features
    9. Creating Snap Fit Features
    10. Creating Rib and Web Features
    11. Creating Draft Features
    12. Mold Design Overview
    13. The Bottom Line
  28. Chapter 20: iLogic
    1. What is iLogic?
    2. Understanding the iLogic Elements and Interface
    3. Creating iLogic Parameters, Rules, and Forms
    4. The Bottom Line
  29. Appendix A: The Bottom Line
    1. Chapter 1 : Inventor Design Philosophy
    2. Chapter 2 : Data and Projects
    3. Chapter 3 : Sketch Techniques
    4. Chapter 4 : Basic Modeling Techniques
    5. Chapter 5 : Advanced Modeling Techniques
    6. Chapter 6 : Sheet Metal
    7. Chapter 7 : Part and Feature Reuse
    8. Chapter 8 : Assembly-Design Workflows
    9. Chapter 9 : Large Assembly Strategies
    10. Chapter 10 : Weldment Design
    11. Chapter 11 : Functional Design
    12. Chapter 12 : Documentation
    13. Chapter 13 : Inventor Tools Overview
    14. Chapter 14 : Exchanging Data with Other Systems
    15. Chapter 15 : Frame Generator
    16. Chapter 16 : Inventor Studio
    17. Chapter 17 : Stress Analysis and Dynamic Simulation
    18. Chapter 18 : Routed Systems
    19. Chapter 19 : Plastics Design Features
    20. Chapter 20 : iLogic
  30. Appendix B: Inventor Certification
  31. Index

Product information

  • Title: Mastering Autodesk® Inventor® 2012 and Autodesk® Inventor LT™ 2012
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: May 2011
  • Publisher(s): Sybex
  • ISBN: 9781118016824