Inventor Basics: A Series of Tutorials on AutoDesk Inventor

After working with and enjoying Inventor through several projects, I've decided to write a few tutorials on how to use it. Please read, enjoy, and leave feedback.

1. Starting out in AutoDesk Inventor

This hub will show you how to start out in Inventor. Using the screenshots as a guide, you'll be up and running in either a part file (.ipt) or an assembly file (.iam) before the end of this tutorial. Don't worry, its not hard, and there are more tutorials coming - because you'll have to make something in Inventor too!

2. Navigating in AutoDesk Inventor

So in this tutorial you'll learn how to move around in Inventor. I can't guarantee you'll be comfortable, since I still prefer the AutoCAD zoom, but at least we can get you started. You'll learn about the onscreen tools, and, better, yet, the mouse shortcuts. Because when you're working on a 3D project, you are always moving around.

3. Using and Customizing the Ribbon UI in Inventor

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to navigate the new UI, see different view options, and even add your very own buttons in whatever tab you want. You'll find that the new UI, while different, allows for a more interesting and useful setup to the old, menu->sub-menu->sub-sub-menu way of doing things.

4. Window Management in AutoDesk Inventor

In this tutorial, we'll cover the window management techniques you can use to get all those windows under control. It is entirely possible to stick to one window, but when you want to really get work done, you'll want more views, more tabs, and yes, more windows.

5. Sketching in AutoDesk Inventor

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to use the sketching commands in Inventor, like line, box, trim, fillet, and offset. Using just these basic tools, you can draw just about anything. When you're done, move on to the next tutorial to make it 3D!

6. Extrusion in AutoDesk Inventor

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to extrude in a multitude of different ways. Sometimes I wish I could make up a use for some of these cool-looking shapes. Whether you're extruding with distance, "To Next" or extruding with "Cut." "Combine" or "Intersect," you'll soon be able to quickly make great looking parts.

7. Using the Loft Command on Sketches in AutoDesk Inventor

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to combine several similar sketches into one part using a loft command. The final part has a varying cross-section and a smooth appearance that would not be possible without the loft command.

8. The Sweep Command in AutoDesk Inventor

In this tutorial we'll learn how to take the shape we drew in the sketch tutorial and turn it into an interesting shelving device. I don't guarantee the shelf's usefulness, but the command is invaluable! Our dovetail-notched rectangle that we made so long ago is turning up in many different ways, and this is one of the more interesting ones.

9. The Rib Command in AutoDesk Inventor

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to draw an arc, then how to turn it into a rib. And we're still successfully using the same sketch we started out with. Adding piece onto piece, we'll soon have this entire 'thing' modeled and ready to produce, down to sales images and FEA analysis.

10. The Revolve Command in AutoDesk Inventor

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to take a 2D drawing and revolve it to form a circular shape. You already know how to extrude, but that only makes things straight. Here's a good way to make a bicycle tire, a spindle, and yes, a shelf for the model we've been working on.

11. Finishing Touches in AutoDesk Inventor

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to mirror a part, fillet in assembly mode, add a full-round fillet, and revolve a part to produce an end-cap. There are a good number of little things to be done, so stick around while we finish this model up. Don't forget - it's only the model. After the model is done, we need to show you how to analyze it and make some pretty pictures.

12. Constraining In AutoDesk Inventor

In this tutorial you'll learn how to ground objects and constrain the motion of other objects. We're still using the same shelf that we made earlier, and the light that we added in the last tutorial. We'll take this light and make it ride along the rod it was designed for, and show you how it rotates and slides.

13. Dynamic Simulation in AutoDesk Inventor

In this tutorial you'll learn how to add a force to an object, play the animation, and then see where the object goes. We'll be using the lamp that we added to our shelving system to test out the dynamic simulation. We'll also be tracking the location, velocity, and acceleration of the lamp so we can graph them at the end.

14. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in AutoDesk Inventor

In this tutorial you'll learn how to add forces to our shelf model and test it using FEA. Then you'll see how to look at the results and generate a report on the part. You'll be amazed at all the different things FEA can tell you.

15. Adding Materials and Exporting Images in AutoDesk Inventor

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to assign material to each feature of a part, or to parts as a whole. Then you'll learn how to render the assembly and see how Inventor adds detailed textures to each part. After that, backgrounds can be added, and you'll learn how to render in perspective and export the images. It's the last tutorial in the series, and it's time to see some results!