Just to let you know
Just to let you know
(OP)
I am an 8 year veteran of Solidworks, I have recently been hired with a company that uses Inventor, I am finding no problems for the most part, But With some of the things I feel I'm missing something here. More Questions to come....






RE: Just to let you know
ht
RE: Just to let you know
In your opinion, what about the Inventor interface is superior? I've dabbled with it some and it looks like most 3d cad programs. Has a feature tree, dialogues for creating features. Nothing really bad, but nothing revolutionary either.
True Parametrics....please explain?
Jason
UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2006 SP4.0 on WinXP SP2
RE: Just to let you know
What I appreciate most about Inventor is that it installs in "novice " mode, simple menus and user interface. As a user progresses, more sophisticated facilities are available.
For the veteran user, the Design Accelerators allow true feature-based modeling, as opposed to the traditional "sketch and extrude" methodology of SW amd other mid-range modelers.
By "true parametrics", I mean table-driven parts and assemblies, with the potential for declaring global variables across an entire array of parts, and to "program" the assembly with equations. This makes it possible to embed real-world design rules. I learned this technique years ago with Mechanical Desktop, and continue to apply it with Inventor.
RE: Just to let you know
Well, I've done excel tables that drive assemblies which in turn drive the parts in Solidworks. There might be different ways to go about it I suppose and Solidworks really needs to work on its equation function.
The little I've played around with IV, I like it's derived part feature since it allowed bringing in nearly everything (sketch, equations, etc.). There were no real configurations which would make my life difficult, something I'm going through with UG right now.
Jason
UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2006 SP4.0 on WinXP SP2
RE: Just to let you know
htt
Design Accelerators are the result of integrating Mechsoft into Inventor, truly parametric design features driven by project requirements and engineering standards, not just dimension-driven geometry.
SW interpretation of table-driven parts is primitive and limited, most users I've talked to rarely make the effort. SW configurations only allow control of visibility and sizing of individual parts, and some limited positional control, using offset planes. Table-driven assemblies in IV are an order of magnitude beyone this.
As engineers, we evaluate the quality of new components and facilities, at least in part, by researching the source. Autodesk is an American company, with a 23 year history of setting the standard for CAD software. For info on SW, see the link I placed above in my first response to this thread.
RE: Just to let you know
I think Inventor has a way to go before it can be as good as some mature softwares like SW. The important thing that comes to mind comparing Solidworks to Inventor is the ease of handling an assembly with up to 4000 parts, mating or part constaint is a peace of cake in SW; you can also easily edit the part right in the assembly because it' so easy to rotate (one hand) and it's so easy to visually inspect the part within the asembly, unlike Inventor where everything require extra step to get done.
RE: Just to let you know
Are your criticisms of SW configurations and mate limitations based on fact or opinions?
Have you used Solidworks? Configurations are a very powerfully feature.
Autodesk (and some IV users) are excellent at putting out inaccurate information about competitor products, especially SW. It’s what’s known as scaremongering.
Eddy
(SW2006 user)
RE: Just to let you know
Luckily for all of us....the competition should drive for some inovative functionality that's good for us users. Just look at how stagnant Autocad has been over the years...only recently have they "spruced" it up some to try an counter losing customers.
Jason
UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2006 SP4.0 on WinXP SP2
RE: Just to let you know
Autodesk, to my knowledge, does NOT disseminate information about their competitors, other than comparitive sales figures from independent sources, industry analysts such as Daratech and Dataquest. I work in a predominantly SW environment, and have used the product when necessary since its introduction. The lack of contemporary features and instability have caused me to move any of my crucial projects to Inventor, a product I have also used since its inception.
To anyone who has doubts about the true industry leaders in 3D CAD, I would suggest that if you are serious about keeping current on this topic, study to become a recognized and reviewed software developer, and/or join the subscription websites that compile accurate and unbiased industry data.
Unless I am mistaken, this forum is for those of us who already use Inventor, and genuinely appreciate its stability, compatibility, and depth of developement.
RE: Just to let you know
Also, Solidworks' parent company is french, but it started and continues to reside in the US with some of it add-in products it purchased and integrated being from other countries. Primary core programming is done here in the states.
You want to discuss Autodesk marketing and disseminating info? How about their bloated seat numbers. If they reallly were the number one seller with more seats than Solidworks, then how come there is only about a third of Inventor jobs as there are Solidworks? Or how about their older adaptivity marketing stuff, like they created some new concept. Or how only until very recently, Solidworks imported/exported DWG better than IV did.
Jason
UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2006 SP4.0 on WinXP SP2
RE: Just to let you know
Please see the second post in this thread for the link to a BusinessWeek magazine article, petaining to the location of the SW programming effort.
As for Autodesks installation base, the numbers are published in their quarterly reports. If there were any gross distortion, it would be investigated by the SEC. They do not include "institutional donations" (shelfware) as SW does, a tactic they learned from Apple.
Job posting do not represent software market saturation. SW is typically found in smaller organizations with higher turnover, while many larger employers have retained their workforce by upgrading from AutoCAD to MDT to Inventor, with appropriate training. The Autodesk-trained workforce is more stable, hence fewer job posts.
I preceive CAD software as a means to an end, no more. If another application is developed and becomes available to me, that is superior to Inventor, I will switch without hesitation.
RE: Just to let you know
RE: Just to let you know
Autodesk and Solidworks publish new seats counts in their quarterly statements that do not include educational seats. It's the total seat counts that they both list that does include educational. Both claim to have in the 500,000's of seats.
Gross distortions? SEC?.....technically...what they do isn't illegal. They give away Inventor seats with Autocad mechanical and Mechanical desktop customers...then claim superior numbers. Doesn't matter if they use it or not. On the other hand, customers that buy Solidworks use it.
The Autodesk-trained workforce is more stable, hence fewer job posts. Now I know you're a VAR. Like somehow being trained by Autodesk means that people aren't going hunting for jobs. I'm sure companies that use Autodesk products have the same turnover that everyone else does. Most people we interviewed for open positions were Autocad users.
while many larger employers have retained their workforce by upgrading from AutoCAD to MDT to Inventor And companies upgrading from Autocad to Solidworks means they won't retain their workforce?
There's nothing magical about the job statistics regarding what cad program a company uses. Job turnover is the result of employees looking for $$$, greener pastures, and employer satisfaction. Not because they use brand x-cad.
Jason
UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2006 SP4.0 on WinXP SP2
RE: Just to let you know
I believe that both companies, in a push to parametric model the world, have left the 2D world as and afterthought. The reality is anything that gets fabricated by a human will need 2D drawings to make it, and that will not change anytime soon, and the majority of fab shops still use ACAD, although they love Isometric views on a 2D drawing. The first company to keep a live link from model to DWG will get our business and a lot of others as well.
Flue
RE: Just to let you know
RE: Just to let you know
You can use ACADM to create a companion file that is directly linked to the IV file. The feature your asking for already exists. As to how well it works, I don't know - I always did my detailing in IV.
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I say this for the person who is thinking about buying CAD, don't go with Inventor just because it is AutoDesks product. Evaluate carefully.
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Take a look at the Autodesk discussion forum for Inventor “v11 wins the prize” before it gets pulled by them. 90 replies to date. (or have you been there already?)
http://d
Eddy
RE: Just to let you know
RE: Just to let you know
I've done some Dwgeditor editing....it's not as polished as Autocad....but good enough to handle some legacy stuff or "tweak" exported dwgs.
Jason
UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2006 SP4.0 on WinXP SP2
RE: Just to let you know
Petr
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Jason
UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2006 SP4.0 on WinXP SP2
RE: Just to let you know
Again, I would remind you that this is a forum for veteran Inventor users to exchange information and provide assistance to novices, not for promoting alternate CAD products.
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I agree...this is an IV forum and I'm afraid we hijacked this poor guys thread.
Jason
UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2006 SP4.0 on WinXP SP2
RE: Just to let you know
http:/
Couple of programming jobs in China:
59134-Programmer/SW Engineer Posted 05/02/2006
Location: Shanghai, CN - Pidemco Tower
Design, prototype, write, test, and debug source code of AutoCAD features
Wonder if there's any Autocad source code floating around China yet?
Jason
UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2006 SP4.0 on WinXP SP2
RE: Just to let you know
58642-Prog./SW Engineer Posted 03/09/2006
Location: Shanghai, CN - Pidemco Tower
• The employee will be responsible for leading a group of talented software engineers to design, code, and maintain applications.
Collaborate with extended team of Inventor architects, Product Designers, tech leads and software developers in the United States and other MSD worldwide engineering sites.
Design, prototype, write, test and debug source code of Inventor applications.
Jason
UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2006 SP4.0 on WinXP SP2
RE: Just to let you know
RE: Just to let you know
"Autodesk is a billion dollar company with around 3000 employees, based in America and employing an American workforce"
I think it's safe to say that both Solidworks and Autodesk have programmers over seas and in the US. Really can't be helped with the numerous aquisitions of products..some being located in other countries. And if you checkout the Solidworks Corp jobs page....most all jobs are here in the US and some programming in the UK....with some Sales support jobs in the Asian area.
ht
Jason
UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2006 SP4.0 on WinXP SP2
RE: Just to let you know
Please do not continue to misinterpret my comments. Choose your own design software as you see fit, and leave this forum to its purpose, the exchange of information among Inventor users.
RE: Just to let you know
Outsources some programming...more like they partenered with an Indian company to provide some add-ins. Autodesk uses foreign programmers as well. I only brought up Autodesk foreign programmers since that seemed to be a major concern of yours. With that said...it appears that Autodesk has more China programming jobs on their site that Solidworks.
A good place to work doesn't make for a superior product. And Autodesk programs, Inventor included, have just as many problems as it's competitors...maybe more so.
Don't expect to see non-domestic software to go away.....you make it sound as if foreign programmers aren't as good as US programmers. I guess you expect the US to ban Catia from Boeing and Chyrsler.....I rather doubt that Inventor is capable of doing what those companies need.
Jason
UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2006 SP4.0 on WinXP SP2
RE: Just to let you know
I run Inv 11 with my content centre, design acc, vault 5 and sometimes have an ACAD window open at the same time. My laptop specs are 2 gig ram, a radeon card with 128 ram, 1.8 ghz processor and the rest is basically standard stuff. Doing demo's - sometimes on the fly - is very brave but touch wood, i still have to crash and burn. Have crashed it on some complex assembly making dumb mistakes like constraining to the (obviously) wrong features or iparts, but that is a human error, nothing to do with IV.
In a previous co i was a designer tasked with petroleum product used in filling stations. I investigated a whole bunch of software, including sw and decided the migration and learning curve till we reach full productivity will be easiest with IV - that was version 9 and they are still using IV having happily upgraded to 11.
Finally, we have done comparisons on clickrates between most of the abovementioned software in a controlled experiment and Inventor kicked the c..p out of the rest having less steps to take to complete a full part, assembly and drawing - and we have used exactly the same for all the software (supplied by a customer at random).
I am extremely happy with using Inventor doing a lot of modelling - approximately 30 hours per week and the new or improved features really made me happy. And I amtalking about the frame generator, improved lofting and projecting features to curved planes, etc...... and including Vault 5. Enjoy yourselves.
Cheers time for a beer.
RE: Just to let you know
RE: Just to let you know
Also, Autodesk posted earnings of $436 million for the first quarter of this year, they must be doing something right ! As a California resident I am pleased to know that they contribute to the local economy in a positive way.
I am currently using Inventor 11 in a department that switched from Pro/E to SW about 4 years ago. My colleagues are constantly impressed by the advanced features of Inventor, and by its stability, even on modest computer hardware.
Again, I apologize to the originator of this thread, his original intent got lost in a discussion that was more political than technical. To DonBoyd, if you are still following, please do not let this discourage you from posting your inquiries about Inventor features, there are numerous expert level users here, who have provided me and others with priceless assistance.
RE: Just to let you know
Some of AutoDesk's most noteworthy products (3DStudio, Revit, Studio Tools) aren't even theirs. They were developed by other companies that were bought out by AutoDesk under the AutoDesk "if you can't beat em, buy em" development strategy.
AutoCAD (and it's flavors Architectual Desktop, Mechanical Desktop, Land Desktop, etc) being one of the only products AutoDesk has developed from the ground up has been lacking in 3D functionality for many years. It was only in the lastest release that AutoCAD introduced 3D technology sketch-up has had for years.
No offense to you Rich942 but I believe your post are very narrowed minded and biased toward AutoDesk. They are your opinions however and I respect that. This is my opinion and I hope you can respect it.
RE: Just to let you know
As for AutoCAD's 3D capability, I generated my very first fully parametric table-driven model in Release 11 (1989)with AME, which was also the first MS Windows compatible version of AutoCAD, years ahead of any other mid-range CAD product. It was primitive by today's standards, but the linked spreadsheet functionality was there. AutoCAD Designer (from Woodbury) predated this, but was never in wide distribution. I used Mechanical Desktop until the advent of Inventor, but most AutoCAD users found the MDT learning curve intimidating. Solidworks was easy to use after that experience, but limiting in many ways.
Many of the protocols and functions that we take for granted in most 3D modelers were introduced by Autodesk over the years. And they have often integrated the best and most successful of their development partner's products into their own lineup.
Narrow minded and biased ? Nonsense ! I make a living with these tools, nothing more to it than that, and I don't have time to waste with unstable applications.
And after all, this IS an Autodesk Inventor forum ! There's a difference between enthusiasm and "bias".
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http://v
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I have been following this thread for some time now and I think you guys have gone to far. I don't use Inventor or Solidworks so there is no way I can tell which one is better and to tell you the truth, I don't care! Being a Solid Edge user I visit the Inventor and Solidworks forums for the simple purpose of obtaining knowledge that might be of use to me and where possible will I share my knowledge.
When are we going to stop fighting over nothing and realize that we can all make this world a better place by sharing knowledge with disregard to race, religion or what software you use?
Solid Edge V18 SP5 on WinXP SP2
RE: Just to let you know