AnyCAD
AnyCAD is integrated file interoperability technologhy that provides direct associative capabilities without the need for file translation.
Sheet metal design
Simplify sheet metal design and complex mechanical part design, and improve your productivity with Digital Prototyping. Inventor combines manufacturing information—such as punch tool parameters and custom bend tables—with an accurate 3D model of sheet metal folding.
Free-form modeling shape creation
Model organic shapes and incorporate free-form and parametric workflows into a single model. These tools provide an alternate modeling approach to explore and create free-form shaped models using direct manipulation. Start with a free-form shape that best represents the desired geometry (box, sphere, cylinder, torus, or quadball). Then use the free-form editing tools to adjust the shape.
Customizable Inventor Home
Customize the new Inventor Home to easily access common tasks.
Assembly design and ease of assembly
Control data for large assembly designs so you can work on components for just part of the design. Define position and describe part motion in 1 step. Combine design accelerators with assembly tools to be sure that every part and component in an assembly design fits correctly. Accurately validate interference and mass properties to help produce quality products the first time. Quickly assemble individual parts and subassemblies to define the complete product structure.
Layout and system design
Dynamic sketch blocks enable you to evaluate concepts and convert sketches into a fully constrained 3D assembly model to form a 3D digital prototype. Design accelerators offer the fastest way to add the remaining components, such as drive mechanisms, fasteners, steel frames, and hydraulic systems. Move your initial design studies from paper by using the parametric design environment to develop initial concept sketches and kinematic models, and rapidly investigate multiple design concepts.
Plastic part design
Get maximum flexibility by combining native Inventor geometry with exterior surface models designed in Alias industrial design software. The relationship between Alias and Inventor can reduce time to market, enabling engineers to start detailed designs earlier and mechanical engineers to easily incorporate changes from the industrial design team.
Rules-based design
Accelerate mechanical engineering design and enable engineers to focus on design intent with rules-based design and automation tools. Integrated Inventor iLogic technology simplifies rules-based design. Even users with little or no programming experience can capture and embed engineering and product knowledge directly into virtual models. iCopy automates the process of copying components, so you can easily customize commonly used assemblies.
Large assembly design (enhanced)
Speed the creation, management, and documentation of large, complex assembly designs. Inventor combines design accelerators with assembly tools to help you ensure that every part and component in an assembly design fits correctly. Accurately validate interference and mass properties to help produce quality products the first time. The improved Express Mode and greatly enhanced graphic performance help to provide faster results.
Sketch constraint control
Get your sketches in shape faster and more easily with new constraint tools and settings. With the new Relax Mode you can modify geometries that are already constrained. You gain greater control over constraints with improved display, inference, and delete options. Sketch constraints-related settings have also been reorganized into a single Constraint Settings command.
Edit geometry directly
Use Direct Edit to parametrically move, size, rotate, and delete imported solid models or native Inventor files.
AutoCAD integration and DWG compatibility
Directly read and write the true DWG™ file format. With AutoCAD DWG conversion you can share critical design data with partners and customers. Integrate AutoCAD drawings and 3D CAD data into a single digital model, creating a virtual representation of the final product.
BIM compatibility
Inventor includes tools designed specifically for mechanical engineers and fabricators who work with architects, builders, and contractors. Easy-to-use geometry simplification tools reduce model complexity and use feature recognition to represent your Inventor designs with native features recognized by Revit building design software.
CAD file conversion and data exchange
Inventor offers CAD translation tools, including native translators that read and write files from other CAD applications. Inventor also includes translators for industry-standard formats such as IGES and STEP. These translators enable you to accept and supply data in customers' preferred formats.
Manufacturing and design documentation
Generate engineering and manufacturing design documentation from digital prototypes to help reduce errors and deliver designs in less time. Inventor extends the advantages of AutoCAD design and documentation software with automatic drawing views and comprehensive tools for finishing drawings.
Data management
Included Vault data management software helps workgroups manage and track design components of a digital prototype. Reuse critical design data, manage bills of materials (BOMs), and collaborate earlier with manufacturing teams, suppliers, and clients using Autodesk PLM 360 cloud-based product lifecycle management software.
CAD rendering and visualization tools
Clear visuals make it easier for stakeholders and customers who don't have engineering experience to understand engineering drawings and designs. Visualization tools help you quickly create photorealistic CAD renderings and animations that can convey ideas to managers, explain designs to manufacturers, and persuade customers that you have the best solution for their needs.