Description
Key Learnings
- Learn how you can optimize the workflow for exchanging designs and data between the AutoCAD and Inventor platforms.
- Discover how to use interoperability features to ensure compatibility and consistency.
- Learn how to incorporate best practices for project organization and file management to avoid errors and confusion.
Speakers
- Satheesh KumarSatheesh Kumar is an escalation lead for critical issues that are coming from Enterprise and Premium customers in Customer Technical Success. With over 8 years of dedicated experience in the technical support field and a background in mechanical engineering, I am deeply committed to resolving a diverse range of customer issues for AutoCAD and Inventor. Throughout my career, I have successfully navigated various roles including presales, post-sales support, and subscription renewal. My passion lies in leveraging my technical expertise to provide exceptional service, ensuring customer satisfaction, and contributing to organizational success through effective problem-solving and customer engagement strategies.
- SSSagar G SI'm Sagar G S, a technical support specialist in customer technical success with over 6 years of mechanical design experience and 2+ years in technical support. My background in mechanical engineering has given me extensive experience using AutoCAD and Inventor for design. I've worked as a design engineer in industries like machine tools, fixtures, and oil & gas. My passion is applying my technical knowledge to deliver excellent service, enhance customer satisfaction, and drive organizational success through effective problem-solving.
SATHEESH KUMAR: Hello, everyone. So I welcome you all to this technical instruction class on the topic, Maximizing Collaboration Between Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD Strategies for Effective Workflow Integration.
Let's get started. So before I get into the presentation, so I would like to just share the safe harbor statement with you. So I may make statements regarding future development or in beta product. So these statements are not intended to be a promise or guarantee of future delivery. So purchasing decisions should not be made based upon reliance on these statements.
So myself, I'm Satheesh Kumar. I'm an escalation lead. So my responsibility is to handle the critical issues, which comes out from our Enterprise and Premium customers. And I'm part of the Customer Technical Success organization in Autodesk. So overall, I have eight-plus years of experience in technical support with a mechanical engineering background.
So previously to joining Autodesk, so I was into different roles in my career, like I was into pre-sales, post-sales, support, and subscription renewal as well. So with my eight years of experience, so I'm very passionate to utilize my skills to provide a exceptional customer services to use Autodesk products seamlessly. Over to you, Sagar, to introduce yourself.
SAGAR G S: Hi, everyone. My name is Sagar. I am a mechanical engineer and have been working in Autodesk for 2.5 years now. Previously, I used to work as a design engineer. I have more than six-plus years of experience in design.
And I used to work in design of machine tools fixtures and oil and gas industries. My passion is utilizing my technical skills to provide best suitable designs for customers, and providing my skills for customer satisfaction, and the technical support as well. Over to you again, Satheesh.
SATHEESH KUMAR: Thank you for your introduction, Sagar. So let's get started. So in today's engineering and design landscape, collaboration between our Inventor software and Autodesk has become essential for efficient project execution. So both software platforms offer a distinct advantage, but harnessing their combined power necessitates a strategic approach.
So the key learning objectives of this presentation is at the end of the class, you will be able to learn, so how you can optimize your workflow by exchanging the designs between AutoCAD and Inventor platform. Also, you can learn about how to use the interoperability features to ensure you're working on a compatibility and consistency environment when you collaborate with AutoCAD and Inventor platform.
So the third learning objective is, so you can incorporate the best practices of to manage your files, how to manage the projects in your AutoCAD and Inventor. And also, you can learn about how you can strategically maintain your file management to avoid errors and confusions while you collaborate with AutoCAD and Inventor platform.
So before I get started, So I would like to take you guys through the key differences between the AutoCAD and Inventor platform. So what sets them apart? So this is just a top level overview of the differences between AutoCAD and Inventor. So based on different aspects.
So the primary use case of AutoCAD is to make 2D designs, and you can also make a layout drawing, architectural designs, elevation drawings, like that. It doesn't mean you can't make any 3D models in AutoCAD. So you can also make 3D models, but there is a limited capabilities in AutoCAD to make a 3D modeling. But when it comes to Inventor, so you can make advanced 3D modeling and simulation under the Inventor platform.
So in terms of UI, so AutoCAD has simplified toolbars just for the drafting and designing. In Inventor, so we do have an extended toolbars, which can help you to go for the engineering designs with the additional functionalities which is dedicated for the design intent.
So in terms of customization, in AutoCAD, we can do the limited customization options, but in Inventor, we do have an extensive customization and automation tools where we can tailor-made our software based on our real-time requirements.
So in terms of data management, in AutoCAD, we do have a simple file management where we can just save the file straight forward to our local or cloud platform. And in Inventor, Inventor has a default-- by default, integrated data management and revision control where all your files and data sets will be organized in a project structure where it can automatically take the files and locations from the desired project locations.
So in terms of simulation, in AutoCAD, we can do the basic visualizations and rendering once after we are done with our design, but in Inventor, after we made our design, we can do the advanced simulations like stress-strain analysis to check the functionality of the assembly. And also, we can do a motion analysis for actuator-related assemblies or parts.
So when we talk about the file types, the native file types for AutoCAD is DWG, DXF, and DGN. For Inventor, it's IPT for part files and IAM for assembly files and IDW for drawing files.
So Inventor is a portable to import the AutoCAD file formats as STEP, IGS, some general native file formats, and the file formats from different CAD software as well.
So here is just a quick overview of the UI differences between AutoCAD and Inventor. On the left side, you can see the AutoCAD-- so the simplified toolbars, and you can straight forward make 2D designs and annotations on it. On the right side, the UI of the Inventor. So where you can make real-time 3D modeling and you can check the fit-form functionalities in the software itself.
OK. So let's get started with our learning objective 1. So how we can optimize our workflow when we exchange our data between AutoCAD and Inventor. So there are three different scenarios-- I would say three different methods we can import the AutoCAD data into Inventor. So let's say the first scenario is if you are an Inventor user, you just want to view or edit your drawing directly, work with the AutoCAD drawing, then you can just go with the Open option.
And if you are a Inventor, users who need to just convert the drawing into Inventor native file format, you don't need any synchronization between AutoCAD and Inventor. Then you can go with Import, and then you can go with your modeling.
And the third scenario is if you are a Inventor users who wants to go with ongoing synchronization between AutoCAD and Inventor, then you can go with the DWG underlay or overlay with the help of referencing Open.
Now let's start with Open options. So basically, how it will work, and what is the procedure to import the AutoCAD file into Inventor with the help of Open option. So it's pretty straightforward. So in your Inventor application, if you go to Open, you'll be able to see a option called the Open DWG.
So where you can just click on the Open DWG, you will get a dialog box, it will prompt you to select the DWG file. And in the bottom-left, as you can see, there will be a tab called Options. So under the options, so since it's a non-Inventor drawing file, you will get an option to select whether you want to import this with the help of Open or you want to import this with the help of Import option. So now let's-- for this scenario, so we'll go with Open option. So let's have a quick look on how this will work.
In Inventor, I'm just trying to open a DWG file. The moment when I select the file in the bottom, if you select Options, you can just select the Open option to directly open the file in Inventor. So ideally, how this will work is, it will import all the DWG geometry which you created in AutoCAD without any data loss, including the bill of material and other meta-properties.
So once after you open the file on the left side, you will be also able to see the different blocks which you have created in AutoCAD just for a easier visibility of which part is what. And you can also get the meta-properties like the borders and sheet information from Inventor.
So the main benefit of importing with the help of Open option is so simply you can measure the distance between one to another, one component to another, or if you want to measure any particular distance of a specific component length or width, anything, so you can measure it. So you will get all the details like the minimum distance, maximum distance, and the precision angle, everything you will be able to get to know from the source drawing file.
And let's say if you want to plot this drawing from Inventor environment itself, you can just go ahead and plot this to your local printer or network printer by selecting the scaling and all. You can get a quick preview of it. Once if it is fine, then you can go ahead and plot your drawing from here.
So it's pretty straightforward. So you can just simply open the drawing, do basic checks like measure and plot and all, and then you can just go ahead and close it. So that's all about the first method, which is open. And now let's move on to the second method, which is Import option.
So as I said, so if you are a Inventor user, if you want to just convert the drawing into the Inventor native file format, you can go with this Import option. So ideally, the additional privilege which we will get if we try to open with Import option is-- so before even we import the file, we will get the options to select the layers and objects, which objects and layers we want to insert it.
Because in all the scenarios, we don't need all-- we don't need to import all the geometry from AutoCAD. So let's say if it is a heavy file, we don't need to import all the objects, we need only the portion of the AutoCAD drawing into Inventor, then we can go ahead and import a specific geometry or layers into Inventor for reference.
OK, let's have a quick look on so how this will work. Let me just open a DWG file in Inventor environment. Now I will go with Import option. So the moment when I select Import option, you will get a dialog box, additional dialog box to select the layers or objects in which you want to import. So here, I'm just removing the title block, name plate details, and all because that's not going to be used for me in Inventor.
And on the next page, you can select about the units and which parts you want to-- basically which objects you want to import and the standard templates. You can select all those information, and then you can just click on Open. So the system will import all the objects which you selected from the dialog box, and now on the screen, you can see the objects imported.
So the first and foremost thing, I will just try to remove the unnecessary objects which is not required for me to make my part in Inventor environment. And on the left side, you can see the sketches are available as in terms of blocks. So basically, this is one of the holder part, which is going to be covered on top of a shaft of a pump gear assembly.
So since this is a circular component, what I'm going to do is, I'm going to just create a geometry on one side, and I'm going to use a Revolve command to get the finished part. So the advantage of using AutoCAD geometry in Inventor, once we import the file into Inventor, we can use the Inventor-native tools on top of the AutoCAD geometry. So there is no conflicts and there is no limitations of using it. So we can go ahead and use it as a Inventor-native sketches.
So once we are done with our sketching, we can just directly go to the 3D modeling features and we can convert the part into a 3D model. So as you can see, so how easy the workflow is. We can just import the file and take the geometry from the DWG and then we can convert it into a 3D model.
So let's consider a scenario. If you're making any complex designs, do we need to really create the complex profile again in Inventor? The answer is no. You can simply copy and paste the objects from the DWG drawing into the Inventor sketch environment with a simple copy-paste or right-click, Copy, and right-click, Paste in Inventor sketch environment.
So once you paste the sketches over there, you can just place a reference point, and then you can move your sketches into the center point of there where you are expecting to move it. So at the advantage of this particular functionality is, if you're making any involute or maybe any complex profiles which need-- which took more time to make a sketching, you can just simply copy-paste from the legacy AutoCAD drawing and then you can simply place it in our Inventor sketch environment, and you can go ahead and use your 3D functionality features.
So now, the sketch is ready. I can go ahead and remove the material based on my reference sketch. I can select the region, closed-loop region, and then I can make it as a Extrude Cut overall with a dimension of, let's say, for the hole thickness. OK, so how nicely the part is made.
So now, if we just look at the sketch-- so only thing, which is the hole is pending. Let me just hide this DWG just to make it clear. And then now, I'm just going to make a reference sketch just to place my hole on top of this particular holder plate. I'm adding a reference point over there.
So the pretty good advantage here is once I made the reference point and circle here, I can leverage the Hole future of Inventor. So where I do have different types of holes, I can just specify the hole size, and then I can place it wherever I want.
So here, the next thing is I don't want this feature for the hole 365 degree. So I just need it in a different customized places. So what I'm going to do is I'm just going to create a pattern of this particular future with 45 degree, and then now I need this hole future on the right side, and as well as the bottom.
So what I'm going to do is I can just leverage the default work planes, which is there, and I can just use my Mirror feature with the help of the reference planes, which is already there, to mirror this functionality features on the right side. And the same way, I want to just mirror this top two holes into the bottom as well. So in such case, if I don't have any work planes over there, I can just create a reference point where I exactly want to create a work plane, and with the Inventor plane creation, I can directly create a plane based on face and point.
So now I got my reference plane exactly in which help me to mirror the holes on the other side. I can just select the work plane, and here we go. So, nicely, my part is made from the 2D sketch which we imported inside Inventor environment. So this is a standard workflow to create a part file with the help of the 2D legacy drawing, which we have it from AutoCAD environment.
So, the next thing which I would like to take you through is the import option. Once we import the data geometry, and then we can create the part file. And then next thing, we can just import this particular underlay file inside a assembly environment. So the different options in the Data Exchange is the Open, Import, and Referencing. So I would like to just take you through the third option, which is referencing.
So under the Referencing, as I said, if you are a Inventor user who wants to go for an ongoing synchronization with the original CAD drawing, then this will be the best option for you. So ideally, how this will work is you can just import the drawing inside the Inventor file, and then you can just keep the drawing as a underlay file, and then you can just make your parts on top of it with the help of the reference from this DWG file.
So let's have a quick look on how this will work. So for this, either I can import the DWG file in Inventor, or I can just open a new part file, and then I can just go ahead and import the drawing file with the help of Import option.
So now I'm just importing a gear pump subassembly. So the moment when I import, the system will prompt me to select the work plane and the reference point. And then it will just exactly place in the work plane and the reference point, which I selected. So as you can see, the work plane of Inventor sketch is offset from the place where we imported the sketch file. So it is because the coordinate system where exactly the file was located in AutoCAD Mechanical is something different.
So in such case, I need to move this DWG to the origin. So instead of doing it in Inventor, it will be very easy for me to do it in AutoCAD Mechanical. So in AutoCAD Mechanical, I'm just enabling the construction line of default origin, and then I can just move this entire data into the default origin with a Move command.
So ideally, how this will work is the moment when I move this to the origin in AutoCAD Mechanical, it will get automatically reflected in the Inventor environment. So let me just hide the construction lines, and then let me save this drawing in AutoCAD Mechanical. So the moment when I save this drawing in AutoCAD Mechanical in Inventor, you will be able to see a splash symbol over there. So it means there was some change happened in the AutoCAD Mechanical, whether you would like to update or not.
If I want to update it, I can click on the flash symbol. As you can see, immediately, the model was moved towards the origin, which is exactly my sketch work plane. Now, this will be a lifesaver for me to go ahead and start my sketch creation from the work plane, default work plane of Inventor.
So once after I've imported the DWG into the default work plane, so the next thing is I can get the references from the DWG with the help of project DWG geometry. So there are two ways to extract the sketch. So the one is, as I said in the previous functionality, we can just copy-paste the sketches from the DWG geometry.
And if we import it, we can extract the geometry with the help of the option project DWG geometry in Inventor environment. So this will be helpful for us if you are making any complex design. So we can just extract the entire design into simpler portions, and then we can extract the geometry, and then we can go ahead and create a parts out of it.
Let's have a quick look on how this will work. So before we get into the design part, we can clear up the viewport by just disabling the unnecessary layers and unnecessary objects, which is not going to be useful for us. So now, for my objective, only this main portion is required for me, so I just isolated this particular portion.
So as I said, with the help of Project Geometry, under the sketch environment, I can just take a reference sketches from the existing DWG underlay, and then I can just use that reference sketches to make my 3D part. So once you extracted the geometry, you can just go ahead into the sketch, and then you can make as much as modifications you want. Like, if you want to just align it to a certain point or any particular coordinate system, you can move your geometry, and then you can start building your 3D modeling geometry.
So now, I'm just changing it to the construction line because I don't want to overlap the sketch geometry on top of this projected geometry. I'm just creating the sketch object, which can help me to generate that particular model in Inventor. And I can make a center line out of it just to revolve this since this is also a kind of circular component. And I can trim it on the other side because since I'm going to use it revolve, one side profile is enough for me to use that. Let me close the loop. OK, here we go.
So now once we are done with our sketch, so we can just go ahead and revolve this directly with the 3D feature, and then we are ended up with our 3D model. So now, additionally, on top of it, I just want to place two holes on top and bottom just to mount this particular casing onto the gear pump assembly. So I'm just creating a reference sketch just to place the hole as we did last time.
So let me just position this hole with the exact distance right here now. And then I can just apply a point on top and bottom where the hole is exactly going to be placed. I will change it to construction line.
OK. Now the reference geometry is ready. So before I apply hole, let me just hide this dimension for better visibility. So you can hide your sketches, references, planes with the help of this object, visibility in Inventor. So you can hide whatever you want and you can show it whenever you want to use a reference.
So under the hole, so now, as you can see, there are different hole types available and different hole options based on your requirement. You can change the size. Now I need the MDM ball. So I'm just choosing MDM. And based on the reference point, the hole was automatically placed in the exact position, which I want.
So now just enable the visibility of the DWG underlay just to make sure the part which I made is exactly positioned over there. Basically there is no-- I mean, is there any conflict in terms of dimensions or the sketch geometry. So how nicely it was placed on top of the DWG underlay. So this is the procedure to create a geometry on top of the DWG drawing by importing it, by referencing it as an underlay, and we can proceed to make as much as parts.
So the next thing is-- so it's the importing the DWG under the drawing is not only limited to the part environment. So let's say under the part environment, if you are importing, we have to make everything under a single part. But don't want to do that. So I also want to import this geometry DWG drawing as a underlay in a assembly environment so that I can assemble all the parts which I made, and I can check the fit-form functionality of that particular assembly.
So that is where the assembly DWG underlay will help us. So where we can just import the DWG drawing in the assembly environment, and then we can just place the parts on top of it.
So let's have a quick overview of how this will work. So for this, I'm just opening a new assembly file in Autodesk Inventor, and then I can just place imported CAD geometry file with the Option. So I can import the DWG file under the assembly environment. Let me just navigate to the file location. OK, here we go.
So here is my pump-- gear pump subassembly file. So I can just import it. So here is also I have to select the plane and select the reference point where exactly I want to import this. So as in part environment, I can hide the unnecessary layers and objects which don't want to use it here. So now I got only the assembly file from my AutoCAD Mechanical.
So here, now what I can do is, I can just import the part which I created, and then I can just assemble it and check whether it fits properly into my existing DWG underlay. So this is the procedure if you are making any parts from the reference to the DWG drawing. So you can-- after you made all your parts in your part environment, you can just import the DWG under the assembly environment, and then you can get all your parts and assembled it and make sure everything is fit properly.
So in Inventor assembly, if you import a drawing, the constraints are not limited between only 3D models. So the constraints, you can also apply it between the 3D model and the 2D geometry-- basically the 2D layout which you imported. So now I just make a constraint between the shaft, and then the casing part which I made. And I can just place it exactly where this will be located.
So once after you assembled it, you can just rotate it and you can make sure this was placed properly. And as you can see, this was fit properly to the exact position, so without even any offset or maybe any conflict between the sketch-- I mean, basically the positioning in terms of. So now, let's, for an example, I will go ahead and place and one more component just to take you through how we can constrain it. I'm importing the pump cover, for an example, which can sit in front of this pump casing.
OK. So here, again, I will just go ahead and constrain this into the positioning. I'll constrain it first based on the access to the shaft. And then I will just place it into the position based on the reference line. Yep.
So this procedure will help you to just assemble all the parts inside your DWG underlay assembly drawing, which we got it from AutoCAD Mechanical. So basically, if you have any legacy drawings, if you want to develop a 3D model out of it, this will be the ideal procedure to go with.
Cool. So this is all about the data exchange between AutoCAD to Inventor. So now let's move on to look what are all the ways we can import the data from Inventor to Autocad. So ideally, there are two different options to import the data from invented AutoCAD. So one is the Direct option, which we can import the DWG or DXF file from Inventor to AutoCAD. And the second option is to use the VIEWBASE-- basically, the model documentation. So we can import the 3D model into AutoCAD, and then we can create a model out of it with the help of the Inventor interoperability feature for AutoCAD.
So now let's consider a scenario, the part, which we made in AutoCAD-- Autodesk Inventor. So we will go ahead and create a drawing out of it, and then we can just try to import that drawing in AutoCAD Mechanical to assemble it to check how it will fit into the AutoCAD Mechanical. Basically the vice-versa situation of what we have seen in the previous scenario.
OK. Let's have a look into it. So let me just hide the DWG underlay. And then I will go ahead and create a drawing view for this particular part. So as you can see, the AutoCAD-- Autodesk Inventor drawing has two different native standard file format, which is DWG and IDW. Now I'm going with-- sorry, I'm going with DWG file format. So I can just go ahead and delete unnecessary views.
So basically, how this works is, this automatically created the geometry based on the template file which I've created. Now I can just add a couple of dimensions on top of it, like how I usually add for a Inventor drawing file from my Inventor part. Let me add a couple of more dimensions for the outer diameter and the hole diameter. And as well as the shaft diameter. Cool.
So once after you are done with your annotations on top of your inventory drawing, you can simply save this file. Ideally, this file should save as a DWG file format because you have chosen DWG as a template while you create the drawing. So once you are done with your saving of the Inventor drawing, you can go back to the AutoCAD Mechanical, and then you can try to import that particular drawing views to fit that assembly part-- basically the part into your AutoCAD Mechanical assembly.
So now I'm just navigating to the design center where exactly I place this drawing. And the moment when you save this drawing-- so if you go to the blocks, you will be able to see all the drawing views are converted as a blocks in Design Center. You can simply import the blocks-- basically whichever design view which you want to import into AutoCAD Mechanical, you can import it.
And then, as like your AutoCAD Mechanical native file format, you can just explode it and you can just move the objects to a different layers. And if you want to add any part reference, you can do it. So all the functionalities will be applicable for this geometry, which you imported from Inventor drawing. So now let me just move the reference lines. Basically, it's a hidden lines, it's not showing here. So move into a different layer. Cool.
So now, let's consider this is a new part, which I've created in AutoCAD Mechanical. So I can go ahead and add a part reference to this part. So let me just call this part as casing unit. I'll add a description also, this pump casing cover.
So the moment when I add the part reference on top of the existing drawing view, which I imported from Inventor, you can see, automatically the bill of material was updated with the part reference which I added. So now I can just go ahead and place the positioning of this particular part in my AutoCAD Mechanical assembly.
So ideally, if I'm an Inventor user who-- I'm done with my detailing, so I can just share it with the AutoCAD user just to fit that particular part into the AutoCAD Mechanical assembly, and to place it and to get the bill of material out of it. So that's where this particular functionality would be helpful. Cool.
So this is an ideal procedure to import the geometry and to make part out of it. And we can assemble it and we can check the fit-form functionality. So this was driven from the existing legacy AutoCAD drawing, so there is no limitations in terms of accessing and using Inventor tools on top of the DWG file-- I mean DWG objects which we are importing in AutoCAD and Inventor.
So now let's consider the second learning objective, which is interoperability features for compatibility and consistency. So under this learning objective, I will take you through the model documentation and a few more functionalities which can work along with the interoperability features.
So before get started, I would like to just take you through what this terminology interoperability means. So basically, interoperability used to be one of the biggest hurdles for most of the companies. So always trouble translating files. So even some situations, we also ask the customer for multiple file types because even we were not aware which one will be the best option to fit with our existing CAD platform.
So this interoperability will be the best option to translate our files without any data loss. We can seamlessly transfer the files within Autodesk platforms softwares, which is listed over there. And also, we can transfer the files to a different CAD platforms outside of Autodesk as well.
So that I can download this Inventor interoperability is. So we can just go to the Autodesk-- manage.autodesk.com, and then you can just navigate to your all products and services. So under the AutoCAD product, so you'll be able to find this Inventor Interoperability 2024 in Extensions tab.
So simply you can download this particular plugin, and then you can install it to start using the futures of the model documentation and importing the Inventor files into AutoCAD without any issues.
So here is where it comes to the picture. So if we want to use the model documentation-- so basically, the VIEWBASE command in AutoCAD, we need to have the Interoperability component installed in our machine with the same version of what we are using of AutoCAD. So ideally, how this will work is, we can import the native Inventor file-- it can be a part file, it can be an assembly file-- into AutoCAD. And then we can make a detailed drawing out of it by referencing to that particular files.
So let's consider a scenario. If I'm a design engineer, Inventor user, so I made the part, an assembly, but I don't have the time to detail the drawing for a manufacturing, I can just give this assembly and part files to my colleague who can work with AutoCAD, and the colleague can import the Inventor file in his software, and then he can do the detailing of it, and then he can go with the manufacturing drawings.
So ideally, this can be a time-saver. So we can collaborate and work between our team who can use Inventor on AutoCAD to make a complete part and detailed drawing of a part or assembly.
So let's have a quick look on how this model documentation will work. So let me start creating a new drawing in AutoCAD. And I have a default template, a pretty good template with all the nameplate details. So now I'm just going to use a command-- either I can use the command VIEWBASE, or I can just go to the tab and then select from Inventor option to import the file.
So the advantage here is, we can also import the specific design views and level of details which we created in Inventor, so it has the privilege to do that. So before we import the model into the drawing, we can also scale the object, if you want to change the hidden lines of how it should be visible in the drawing view, we can customize those options as well. So as you can see, that standard Inventor file, assembly file, is imported into the AutoCAD drawing file with the help of this model documentation functionality.
So the moment when you place the drawing views, you will get all the details out of it. And you can go ahead and create, if you want, any section views, any detail views to detail the assembly, you can go ahead and create those views as well.
So this is pretty straightforward how we usually create the detailed documentation of a assembly or part file in Inventor drawing environment, the same way, we can use the AutoCAD to do the detailed documentation of a part or assembly file.
So let me just add a couple of annotations here. So it's not limited to just place only the drawing views for a visual representation. So we can also get the drawing annotations-- basically, the dimensions, or maybe if we want to highlight any other information, we can highlight it on top of this drawing view. Here we go.
So let's imagine if we make this entire thing in Inventor. So how much time it will take? So this AutoCAD also will take the same time to make the detailing of an assembly or a part file. So even in this, actually, if you want to add any tolerances, if you want to add any geometric tolerance dimensions and all, so you can add all those informations. That's it.
So ideally, once after you are done with this particular drawing view, maybe something will arise to your mind. So since every day the changes will happen into the Inventor file or maybe the part or assembly file, which you are creating. So ideally, what will happen, if there is any change happened in my Inventor, so let's have a look into it. Before that, let me just save this assembly file. So let me just name it as Gear Asby Drawing, Save. OK.
So I just created a drawing, assembly drawing, and I saved this drawing in my local location. So now let's have a look on what happens if there is any model changes in Inventor. It can be a part file, it can be assembly file. So ideally, how this will reflect is, so it will reflect based on the Auto Update option in AutoCAD.
So if Auto Update is enabled, then all drawing views will be automatically updated if there is any change in the Inventor file. If the Auto Update is disabled, then when you open the drawing file in AutoCAD, you will get a prompt, like alert balloon, and also the red marks on top of the drawing view. It will highlight that this drawing view was changed in Inventor, whether you would like to update in AutoCAD or not.
The same way, if there is any change in the annotation also, it will reflect you with a balloon, and as well as the yellow exclamation mark will show just next to the dimension. So you can simply right-click the dimension, and then you can re-associate by specifying the points where to where you want to measure this particular dimension.
So let's have a quick look on-- at demonstration of how this will work. So let me open assembly file in Inventor. OK. So here, let me change the layout. OK. So now what I'm going to do is, I'm just going to make changes to one of the part in this assembly file in Inventor.
So let's say this base plate, the length, which is mentioned as 9 inches, let me change this length to 12 inches. As you can see, instantly the model will get update. And I can just switch back to the assembly to get the changes updated in the assembly file. So once the changes is made, I can just hit on Save.
So once the change is made it and saved in assembly file, if I go to my AutoCAD drawing, nothing changed here. So if I want to make changes, then probably I have to just close the drawing and reopen the drawing in AutoCAD. So if I reopen the drawing, as you can see, all the changes were made in AutoCAD-- or, sorry, Inventor will automatically update it in the drawing views which you already placed in AutoCAD.
Now let's consider another scenario, what will happen if the Auto Update is turned off? Let me turn off Auto Update, and then I'll close this drawing, and I'll go back to Inventor. Now, again, I'll open the same part. I will just change the dimension of the part back to its original dimension, which is 9 inches. Let me just finish this, and let me go back to the assembly and update the changes, and then I will save this drawing.
So now, if I come back to AutoCAD and open the drawing again, the assembly drawing, as you can see, all the drawing views are highlighted with red color borders, and as well as I have a balloon in the bottom-right, One or more drawing views, you are no longer up to date. So in such cases, you can either update a specific view, or you can go ahead and update all the drawing views in AutoCAD.
It's pretty cool, right? So we don't need to worry about what will happen once after I created a drawing views in AutoCAD, if there is any update happened in Inventor, whether I want to go ahead and do the updates again. So then the answer is no. So you can instantly update it by simply with the help of Auto Update enabled, or you can just go ahead and manually update with the help of Update View options.
Cool. So in this stage, I would like to just hand it over to my colleague Sagar to take you through a specific tool which is available for-- exclusively available for AutoCAD Mechanical, which is Inventor Link. Over to you, Sagar.
SAGAR G S: Hi, everyone. So as of now, what we have understood is, let's say if there is any change in the model in Inventor, the layouts where the views are imported to AutoCAD gets updated automatically. Let me take you through a feature in AutoCAD Mechanical called Inventor Link where let's say if there is a modification of the part in Inventor, the imported part in AutoCAD Mechanical will update automatically.
So I have AutoCAD Mechanical open. And let me select a new option in AutoCAD Mechanical, and I'll select this option called Inventor Link. And it will prompt me to select a template. I'll select acad.dwt, which is the default template. And it will prompt me to select the part file. I'll change this to IPT, which is the part file of Inventor, and I'll select the part.
We can see that the part is imported in AutoCAD Mechanical. And for better visualization, I'll change this to Realistic. And I'll open the same part in Inventor. So let me make some modifications here. I'll just do-- I'll extrude this. And let me extrude this to the next face. I'll click on OK, and I'll save this file.
I'll open AutoCAD Mechanical now. We can see that nothing has updated. As soon as I click on the Mechanical browser, I get a pop-up saying A newer version of this part is available. I'll right-click on this and I'll click on Update. We can see that the changes that we made in Inventor part is automatically updated in AutoCAD Mechanical.
And using this, we can extract 2D edges as well. Let's say for that, I use this command called Boundary. And I'll select the pick points. And we can see that a boundary is created of the 2D edges of a part which is imported from Inventor. So using this, we can do a simple analysis as well. For that, I'll go to Content in AutoCAD Mechanical. We can see a FEA, Finite Element Analysis.
And let me select the interior boundary. And we can see that all of the options related to FEA appears. And let's say I'll select the static part, place where the supports are to be provided. And I'll select one more support. And I'll just apply load on the other side. And I'll select load to be 100 LBF. And I'll select the direction in which it is to be applied, 90 degrees.
And I'll select the thickness, which is 0.3 in this case. And for stress-strain diagram, I'll select this Von Mises stress-strain diagram and I'll click on OK. And I'll select the base point, and I'll select where it should be plotted. And I'll select the table to be plotted here.
Now we can see that a Von Mises stress-strain diagram has been plotted for the part, which we basically imported from Inventor. This is a 2D analysis, and it will show us maximum deflection and minimum deflection. Maximum deflection usually will be in the support region, and it's seen-- as seen here.
And the drawback is, this can be only applied if there is a thickness as a 3D element over 2D element. And one more feature from the Inventor Link is we can import our assembly file as well in the same way so that any changes made in the assembly in Inventor will be automatically reflected in AutoCAD. So let me show that as well.
I'll use this Inventor Link option again, and I'll select acad.dwt, the default template. And now, I'll select the assembly file. For that, I'll change this to the assembly file of Inventor. And I'll select the assembly here. We can see that the assembly, which we created in Inventor, has been imported to AutoCAD. And for better visualization, I'll switch this to Realisitc.
And so I'll open the same model in Inventor, assembly in Inventor. And we can see the assembly here. And let's say I want to import this-- this is imported in AutoCAD. I have added some of the properties to each and every parts here. I can see that using Properties.
Let's say I want to import all of these properties into AutoCAD Mechanical as a bill of materials. So for that, I'll go to AutoCAD Mechanical, and I'll open this Bill of Materials tab, and I'll click on Main. And I'll go to-- so we can see that all of the parts that are created in Inventor are imported here.
Let's say I want to add some of the properties to this bill of materials. I'll go to Settings and I'll add all of the properties that we have created in Inventor. Let's say I'll just add AUTHOR. And I'll add, let's say, WEIGHT. And I'll add PART NUMBER. And I'll click on OK. And I'll click on Apply, and I'll click on OK again.
And to import this, we'll select Parts List. And I'll click on Main again. And let's say all of the properties are not showing here. For that, I'll add Insert Column. I'll insert it to the right. And I'll select all of the properties that we have entered here. And I'll click on Apply and I'll click on OK.
Now we have a table containing the bill of materials that has been created from the I properties that is entered in Inventor. And handing it back to Satheesh again.
SATHEESH KUMAR: Thank you so much, Sagar, for taking us through the Inventor Link. Yeah, of course, so this Inventor Link will be one of the best options. So if we want to collaborate the files between AutoCAD Mechanical and Inventor, basically we can create files in Inventor, and then we can just get it to Mechanical. And then if you want to take any bill of materials, detailed drawings, anything, we can go ahead and do that from the Mechanical. This is really a lifesaver for us.
So let me take you through one of the command issues which we face whenever we use the interoperability feature. So this is one of the most command used we also got it from so many customers.
So when we try to use the VIEWBASE command in AutoCAD, so we are getting this error message. So Inventor Interoperability 2024 component is required. So basically, this version can change based on whatever version which you are using. So in such cases, what we have to do?
So the first and foremost thing which we need to check is so whether you have already installed this Inventor Interoperability, that particular version component, from your Autodesk account. So as I told you earlier, you can just find the extension under your Autodesk account. If you go to AutoCAD product, and under the Extensions, you will be able to find this particular plugin. So first, you have to make sure that plugin was installed.
If that plugin was installed, then probably we will recommend to just try to reinstall again and then check the behavior. If that doesn't work, then probably you can feel free to reach out to us.
OK. So now we are in our third learning objective, which is what are the best practices I can follow while I'm working with both AutoCAD and Inventor platform? In such environment, so we do have some common best practices which we will recommend to go for a better collaboration.
So effective collaboration between AutoCAD in Autodesk Inventor can streamline workflows and improve productivity, of course, in all your design projects. So here are some of the best practices to consider. So the first and foremost thing is, we have to maintain a clear file structure. So of course, if you are using Inventor, so all your files will be stored under the project location which you have chosen.
But when you import the file or the file which is coming out from AutoCAD, you have to just store it in a same project location just to maintain a proper file structure so that you don't need to worry about where this file is located and all.
And the second thing is, we have to establish a naming convention for files so that is clear and consistent to avoid confusion. So if you are importing any files or if you are exporting any files for a production or manufacturing or different stage-level drawings, you can just give a valid naming file format for the files-- it can be AutoCAD file, it can be a DWG file, it can be a template file. And you can store it in the desired file location just to avoid confusions and conflicts.
And in terms of version control, so just keep track of the file revisions and always try to maintain documentation of what you are changing because the things are changing in the backend. So if multiple users are accessing the same file from a different file location-- so let's say if a file is stored in a network location, so then there is no file locking will be available. So if multiple users access the same files, then they can do the modifications sometimes. It will create a complex, and it will try to just make some mess up with the files.
So in such situations, you can just try to create a clear file structure, and then keep maintaining the file revisions whenever you are making changes, it will help you to organize your files in a very better way.
And in terms of collaboration, if you are using any project management tools like BIM 360, Vault, or any cloud collaboration tools, so you can make sure to establish a regular backup procedure for both AutoCAD and Inventor to prevent data loss. So if you are using any project management tools, then probably all the revision controls and other things will be take care by that particular software. So you can just keep an eye on it and keep a quick review or frequently just to get to know what's changing, what's happening.
And in terms of file formats and compatibility, so utilize the file formats. So basically, if you are using AutoCAD, you can use DWG files for 2D drawings. And if you are using Inventor, just try to import the part and export it into a native file format for part assembly and drawing file so that there will not be any conflicts or confusions when we export the file for AutoCAD or AutoCAD Mechanical or when we import a file from AutoCAD or AutoCAD Mechanical to Inventor.
So just keep an eye on the default coordinates as well when you are importing any files into the software like AutoCAD to Inventor or Inventor to AutoCAD because the coordinate system and the units are very much important when we are importing any DWG files into Inventor or Inventor files into AutoCAD.
Because sometimes, most of the times what will happen is-- so in Inventor, so the units is in inches, and in AutoCAD, actually, if the unit changes, then probably the exact dimensions of the part, which are going to create will also get changed. So just keep an eye on these things. So these are basic things if you are collaborating between AutoCAD and Inventor, so just keep an eye on it.
And when we talk about the documentation and metadata, so just try to add the meaningful metadata for each and every part just for reuse and searchability in the future because always, if you add meta-properties for a part file, or in terms of I properties or for a drawing file, the proper naming, that will help you to retrieve the file down the line of-- or the three years, five years, 10 years.
Anytime with any one of the information, you will be able to retrieve the file and you can reuse it whenever you are needed. So these are all some of the common best practices for a effective collaboration between AutoCAD and Inventor platform.
So there are some additional resources like the links to the Help Wiki page. So what are the topics we presented? The Interoperability component, how to install it, and about the model documentation. And what all the commands available when we work with model documentation in AutoCAD and Mechanical? And what about the Inventor? So all this reference is linked, so I would recommend you to go through if you have any questions or any clarifications needed at any time.
Before we drop off, so would like to just inform you to join us for AutoCAD's "Inside the Factory" event. So basically, what's this. Inside the factory event is? So you can go ahead and explore the new features which is going to coming up for AutoCAD. And also, you will get a opportunity to meet the product managers, designers, and developers. And you can-- where they will get into the conversation and just get an inside scoop of what's next we are thinking in terms of the future updates based on your feedback.
And of course, so we value your feedback as well. So feel free to share your feedbacks. Your voice matters for us. So please share your ideas or what kind of evolution you are looking from AutoCAD software. So feel free to share it with us. We are more than happy to listen to you, and then we will work on to get that feature for you if it is really making an impact for most of the users.
So how you can join? You can just scan the QR code over there, and then you can sign up. So the spots are limited, so why can't you can go ahead and scan it and register immediately?
OK, so we are at the end of our presentation. So we would like to thank you so much for joining this presentation. And we hope that we shared some valuable information for each one of you that you can take it up and you can go and implement it once you go back to your home. Thank you so much. Have a good day. Bye.
SAGAR G S: Yeah. And thank you all for your time. Have a great day.