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Autodesk Inventor 2010: No Experience Required

Autodesk Inventor 2010: No Experience Required

by Thom Tremblay
Publisher: Sybex
Release Date: August 2009
ISBN: 9780470481691
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Book Description

The only continuous, step-by-step tutorial on the essentials of this manufacturing software

If you want to get up and running quickly on the industry-leading 3D mechanical design software, Autodesk Inventor 2010: No Experience Required is your perfect resource. It quickly teaches the essential skills and demonstrates the software using a continuous, real-world tutorial project.

Once you understand the interface and how to use Inventor conventions, you'll begin actually designing and modeling a project from start to finish. Along the way, you'll learn the ""why"" behind each step.

  • Learn to use the interface and Inventor conventions

  • Understand sketching commands and best practices, then move into both regular and sheet metal specific part modeling

  • Understand how to join parts into assemblies to create a single, digital prototype of a box fan

  • Create and distribute accruate part and assembly drawings, learn about functional design concepts, and use Inventor's Design Accelerator features

  • Discover how to work with Inventor weldments and create, render, and distribute compelling visualizations of the final design using Inventor Studio

  • The companion website provides ""before and after"" tutorial files, enabling you to jump in at any point and compare your work with the author's results

Autodesk Inventor 2010: No Experience Required gives you all the instruction you need to begin using this powerful 3D mechanical design tool.

Table of Contents

  1. Copyright
  3. Acknowledgments
  4. About the Author
  5. Introduction
    1. Who Should Buy This Book
    2. System Requirements
      1. Operating systems
      2. Hardware
    3. What's Inside
    4. How to Contact the Author
  6. 1. Finding Your Way in the Inventor Interface
    1. 1.1. Inventor's User Interface
      1. 1.1.1. Application Menu
      2. 1.1.2. Quick Access Toolbar
    2. 1.2. Learning the Basics of Tabs
      1. 1.2.1. Get Started Tab
      2. 1.2.2. Ribbon Appearance
    3. 1.3. Learning to Use the Dialog Boxes
      1. 1.3.1. Buttons
      2. 1.3.2. Dialog Box Tabs
      3. 1.3.3. Context Menus
    4. 1.4. The Open Dialog Box
      1. 1.4.1. Shortcuts and the File List
      2. 1.4.2. Navigation Controls
      3. 1.4.3. File Display Options
      4. 1.4.4. Other Controls
      5. 1.4.5. Opening a File
    5. 1.5. The New File Dialog Box
    6. 1.6. More of the Inventor Interface
      1. 1.6.1. The Browser Bar
      2. 1.6.2. The Design Window
      3. 1.6.3. The Status Bar
      4. 1.6.4. Revisiting the Quick Access Tools
    7. 1.7. Working in the Design Window
      1. 1.7.1. View Tab
        1. 1.7.1.1. Appearance Panel
        2. 1.7.1.2. Navigate Panel
      2. 1.7.2. The ViewCube and the Navigation Bar
      3. 1.7.3. Document Tabs
    8. 1.8. Make Yourself at Home: Customizing Inventor
      1. 1.8.1. Application Options
      2. 1.8.2. The General Tab
      3. 1.8.3. The Colors Tab
      4. 1.8.4. The Display Tab
      5. 1.8.5. The Hardware Tab
      6. 1.8.6. The Drawing Tab
      7. 1.8.7. The Sketch Tab
      8. 1.8.8. The Part Tab
      9. 1.8.9. The Assembly Tab
      10. 1.8.10. Creating a New Work Environment
    9. 1.9. Project Files
      1. 1.9.1. Project File Manager Buttons
      2. 1.9.2. Creating a Project File
    10. 1.10. Using the Help System and Infocenter
    11. 1.11. Are You Experienced?
      1. 1.11.1. Now you can...
  7. 2. Building the Foundation of the Design
    1. 2.1. It's About the Design
    2. 2.2. Creating the Sheet Metal Housing
      1. 2.2.1. Sketching Tools
      2. 2.2.2. Sketch Constraints
        1. 2.2.2.1. Viewing the Constraints in a Sketch
      3. 2.2.3. Sketch Dimensions
        1. 2.2.3.1. Controlling a Sketch Using Dimensions
    3. 2.3. Inventor's Sheet Metal Tools
    4. 2.4. Sheet Metal Defaults
      1. 2.4.1. The Sheet Metal Defaults Dialog Box
      2. 2.4.2. Creating a New Sheet Metal Rule
      3. 2.4.3. The Style and Standard Editor
        1. 2.4.3.1. The Sheet Tab
          1. 2.4.3.1.1. Sheet
          2. 2.4.3.1.2. Unfold Rule
          3. 2.4.3.1.3. Flat Pattern Punch Representation
        2. 2.4.3.2. The Bend Tab
          1. 2.4.3.2.1. Bend Relief
          2. 2.4.3.2.2. Relief Shape
          3. 2.4.3.2.3. Bend Radius
          4. 2.4.3.2.4. Bend Transition
        3. 2.4.3.3. The Corner Tab
          1. 2.4.3.3.1. 2 Bend Intersection
          2. 2.4.3.3.2. 3 Bend Intersection
        4. 2.4.3.4. Creating New Sheet Metal Rules
      4. 2.4.4. The Contour Flange Tool
        1. 2.4.4.1. Creating a Base Feature with Contour Flange
      5. 2.4.5. The Flange Tool
        1. 2.4.5.1. The Shape Tab
        2. 2.4.5.2. Adding Flanges to the Part
      6. 2.4.6. The Mirror Tool
        1. 2.4.6.1. Optimized
    5. 2.5. The Hole Feature
      1. 2.5.1. The Punch Tool
        1. 2.5.1.1. The Geometry Tab
        2. 2.5.1.2. The Size Tab
    6. 2.6. Are You Experienced?
      1. 2.6.1. Now you can...
  8. 3. Moving into the Assembly World
    1. 3.1. So, What's sNext?
      1. 3.1.1. Developing a More Challenging Part
    2. 3.2. The Lofted Flange Tool
      1. 3.2.1. Output Options
      2. 3.2.2. The Face Tool
      3. 3.2.3. The Corner Round Tool
      4. 3.2.4. The Rip Tool
    3. 3.3. The Assembly Modeling Concept
    4. 3.4. Creating Assembly Constraints
      1. 3.4.1. The Constraint Tool
        1. 3.4.1.1. The Assembly Tab
          1. 3.4.1.1.1. Type
          2. 3.4.1.1.2. Selections
          3. 3.4.1.1.3. Offset
        2. 3.4.1.2. The Motion Tab
        3. 3.4.1.3. The Transitional Tab
        4. 3.4.1.4. The Constraint Set Tab
    5. 3.5. Working with Standard Parts
    6. 3.6. Are You Experienced?
      1. 3.6.1. Now you can...
  9. 4. Working with Solid Models and Weldments
    1. 4.1. Keep It Simple, Make It Work
      1. 4.1.1. Making Parts
      2. 4.1.2. The Extrude Tool
      3. 4.1.3. Building the Bearing Plate
    2. 4.2. Work Features
      1. 4.2.1. The Chamfer Tool
    3. 4.3. Weldments
    4. 4.4. Drawing Views
      1. 4.4.1. Beginning a New Drawing from a Template
      2. 4.4.2. Creating a New Template
    5. 4.5. Creating Base Views
      1. 4.5.1. Defining the Base View
      2. 4.5.2. Creating a Projected View
        1. 4.5.2.1. Defining Projected Views
      3. 4.5.3. Creating Section Views
        1. 4.5.3.1. Defining the Section View
    6. 4.6. Detail Views
      1. 4.6.1. Creating a Detail View
    7. 4.7. Detailing Tools
      1. 4.7.1. The Center Mark Tool
        1. 4.7.1.1. Placing a Center Mark in a View
        2. 4.7.1.2. Creating a Centerline Bisector
    8. 4.8. Placing Dimensions in Inventor
      1. 4.8.1. The General Dimension Tool
        1. 4.8.1.1. Using the General Dimension Tool
      2. 4.8.2. The Baseline Dimension Tool
        1. 4.8.2.1. Creating a Baseline Dimension Set
      3. 4.8.3. Hole/Thread Notes
        1. 4.8.3.1. Adding Hole/Thread Notes to the Drawing
      4. 4.8.4. Dimension Editing Tools
        1. 4.8.4.1. Putting the Dimension Editing Tools to Work
    9. 4.9. Associativity
      1. 4.9.1. Drawing View Associativity
      2. 4.9.2. Adding Another Sheet
    10. 4.10. Are You Experienced?
      1. 4.10.1. Now you can...
  10. 5. Working with the Frame Generator
    1. 5.1. Leveraging the Assembly
      1. 5.1.1. Building the Foundation of a Metal Frame
    2. 5.2. Restructuring an Assembly
      1. 5.2.1. Demoting a Component in the Assembly
    3. 5.3. Frame Generator
      1. 5.3.1. Building a Frame
      2. 5.3.2. Editing the Frame
      3. 5.3.3. Adding the Bearing Supports
    4. 5.4. Bolted Connections
      1. 5.4.1. Adding a Bolted Connection
        1. 5.4.1.1. Placing a Bolt Using AutoDrop
        2. 5.4.1.2. Reusing a Bolted Connection Template
        3. 5.4.1.3. Changing the Size of the Frame
          1. 5.4.1.3.1. Controlling 3D Grips
    5. 5.5. Representations
      1. 5.5.1. View
      2. 5.5.2. Position
      3. 5.5.3. Level of Detail
      4. 5.5.4. Creating a View Representation
    6. 5.6. Selection Filters
      1. 5.6.1. Enhanced Highlighting
        1. 5.6.1.1. Turning On Enhanced Highlighting
        2. 5.6.1.2. Working with Colors
    7. 5.7. Are You Experienced?
      1. 5.7.1. Now you can...
  11. 6. Working with Purchased and Multipurpose Parts
    1. 6.1. Reusing Your Own Parts
      1. 6.1.1. iMates
        1. 6.1.1.1. Creating an iMate
    2. 6.2. Creating a Cast Part
      1. 6.2.1. Defining the Basic Shape
      2. 6.2.2. Adding Draft
        1. 6.2.2.1. Adding Draft to the part
      3. 6.2.3. The Fillet Tool
        1. 6.2.3.1. Edge Fillet
        2. 6.2.3.2. Face Fillet
        3. 6.2.3.3. Full Round
        4. 6.2.3.4. Adding Fillets to the Edges
        5. 6.2.3.5. Mirroring the Incomplete Part
    3. 6.3. Derived Parts
      1. 6.3.1. Creating a Machined Handle
    4. 6.4. The Split Tool
      1. 6.4.1. Method
      2. 6.4.2. Faces
      3. 6.4.3. Remove
        1. 6.4.3.1. Using Split on Your Derived Part
        2. 6.4.3.2. Modifying the Derived Component Source
    5. 6.5. Supplier Content Center
      1. 6.5.1. Using Supplier Content
      2. 6.5.2. Modifying Supplier Content
    6. 6.6. Assembly Sketches
      1. 6.6.1. Creating the 2D Layout
      2. 6.6.2. Using the Named Parameter
    7. 6.7. Are You Experienced?
      1. 6.7.1. Now you can...
  12. 7. Functional Design Using Design Accelerators
    1. 7.1. Design Accelerators
      1. 7.1.1. The Bearing Generator
        1. 7.1.1.1. The Design Tab
        2. 7.1.1.2. The Calculation Tab
          1. 7.1.1.2.1. Type of Strength Calculation
          2. 7.1.1.2.2. Loads
          3. 7.1.1.2.3. Bearing Life Calculation
          4. 7.1.1.2.4. Messages
        3. 7.1.1.3. Using the Bearing Generator
      2. 7.1.2. The Shaft Component Generator
        1. 7.1.2.1. The Design Tab
        2. 7.1.2.2. The Calculation Tab
        3. 7.1.2.3. The Graphs Tab
        4. 7.1.2.4. Creating a Shaft
      3. 7.1.3. The V-Belts Component Generator
        1. 7.1.3.1. The Design Tab
        2. 7.1.3.2. The Calculation Tab
        3. 7.1.3.3. Adding a V-Belt
        4. 7.1.3.4. Editing the V-Belt
        5. 7.1.3.5. Locating the Motor
        6. 7.1.3.6. Modifying Pulley2
    2. 7.2. The Sweep Tool
      1. 7.2.1. Type
      2. 7.2.2. Orientation
        1. 7.2.2.1. Constructing the Spoke
    3. 7.3. The Rule Fillet
      1. 7.3.1.
        1. 7.3.1.1. Adding a Rule Fillet
        2. 7.3.1.2. Applying Geometry Text
    4. 7.4. Parallel Key Connection Generator
      1. 7.4.1.
        1. 7.4.1.1. The Design Tab
        2. 7.4.1.2. The Calculation Tab
        3. 7.4.1.3. Creating a Key Connection
        4. 7.4.1.4. Creating a Parallel Key Connection
    5. 7.5. The Copy Object Tool
      1. 7.5.1.
        1. 7.5.1.1. Copying Geometry from One Part to Another
    6. 7.6. The Thicken/Offset Tool
      1. 7.6.1.
        1. 7.6.1.1. Defining the Clearance Envelope
        2. 7.6.1.2. Creating a 3D Sketch
        3. 7.6.1.3. Splitting the Folded Faces
    7. 7.7. The Unfold and Refold Tools
      1. 7.7.1.
        1. 7.7.1.1. Making the Cut
    8. 7.8. Are You Experienced?
      1. 7.8.1. Now you can...
  13. 8. Creating Contoured and Plastic Parts
    1. 8.1. Working with Plastic Parts
      1. 8.1.1. The Multibody Part
      2. 8.1.2. Building the Basic Part
    2. 8.2. The Shell Tool
      1. 8.2.1. The Shell Tab
        1. 8.2.1.1. Shell Types
        2. 8.2.1.2. Automatic Face Chain
        3. 8.2.1.3. Solids
        4. 8.2.1.4. Unique Face Thickness
      2. 8.2.2. The More Tab
        1. 8.2.2.1. Allow Approximation
        2. 8.2.2.2. Shelling the Part
        3. 8.2.2.3. Splitting the Part
      3. 8.2.3. Plastic Part Features
        1. 8.2.3.1. Grill
        2. 8.2.3.2. Snap Fit
        3. 8.2.3.3. Boss
        4. 8.2.3.4. Rule Fillet
        5. 8.2.3.5. Rest
        6. 8.2.3.6. Lip
        7. 8.2.3.7. Placing the Bosses
        8. 8.2.3.8. Adding a Lip to the Solids
      4. 8.2.4. Making Components
        1. 8.2.4.1. Creating an Assembly from the Part
      5. 8.2.5. The Replace Tool
        1. 8.2.5.1. Replacing a Component in the Assembly
    3. 8.3. The Loft Tool
      1. 8.3.1. The Curves Tab
      2. 8.3.2. The Conditions Tab
      3. 8.3.3. The Transition Tab
        1. 8.3.3.1. Constructing the Fan Blade Shape
        2. 8.3.3.2. Creating the Blade
    4. 8.4. The Revolve Tool
      1. 8.4.1.
        1. 8.4.1.1. Extents
        2. 8.4.1.2. Building the Hub
      2. 8.4.2. The Circular Pattern Tool
        1. 8.4.2.1. Creating the Whole Body
    5. 8.5. The Rib and Web Tools
      1. 8.5.1.
        1. 8.5.1.1. Placing the Ribs
    6. 8.6. The Decal Tool
    7. 8.7. The Sculpt Tool
      1. 8.7.1. Sculpting the Power Knob
      2. 8.7.2. Adding the Text
      3. 8.7.3. Adding the Power Knob
    8. 8.8. The Grill Tool
      1. 8.8.1. The Boundary Tab
      2. 8.8.2. The Island Tab
      3. 8.8.3. The Rib Tab
      4. 8.8.4. The Spar Tab
      5. 8.8.5. The Draft Tab
      6. 8.8.6. Editing the Sketch
      7. 8.8.7. Adding the Grill
      8. 8.8.8. Adding Grills to the Assembly
    9. 8.9. Are You Experienced?
      1. 8.9.1. Now you can...
  14. 9. Communicating Your Design
    1. 9.1. 3D Is Just the Beginning
    2. 9.2. Advanced Drawing Views
      1. 9.2.1. Sketch-Derived Views
        1. 9.2.1.1. Creating a New Drawing
      2. 9.2.2. The Break-Out View
        1. 9.2.2.1. Creating the Break-Out View
        2. 9.2.2.2. Creating the Next Drawing
      3. 9.2.3. The Break View
    3. 9.3. Presentation Files
      1. 9.3.1. Creating an Exploded View
      2. 9.3.2. Editing the Presentation
      3. 9.3.3. Editing the View of the Animation
      4. 9.3.4. Creating an .AVI File
      5. 9.3.5. Creating an Exploded-View Drawing
    4. 9.4. Assembly Annotations
      1. 9.4.1. Parts List
        1. 9.4.1.1. Inserting a Parts List
      2. 9.4.2. Balloon/Auto Balloon
        1. 9.4.2.1. Adding Balloons to the Drawing
      3. 9.4.3. Bill of Materials
      4. 9.4.4. DWF
        1. 9.4.4.1. Creating an All-Inclusive DWF
    5. 9.5. Inventor Studio Overview
      1. 9.5.1. Getting Started
      2. 9.5.2. The General Tab
      3. 9.5.3. The Output Tab
      4. 9.5.4. The Style Tab (Realistic Rendering)
      5. 9.5.5. The Style Tab (Illustration Rendering)
        1. 9.5.5.1. Color Fill
        2. 9.5.5.2. Edges
      6. 9.5.6. Creating a Quick Rendering
      7. 9.5.7. Creating an Illustration Rendering
      8. 9.5.8. Scene Styles
        1. 9.5.8.1. The Background Tab
          1. 9.5.8.1.1. Use Application Options
          2. 9.5.8.1.2. Colors
          3. 9.5.8.1.3. Image
        2. 9.5.8.2. The Environment Tab
        3. 9.5.8.3. Ground Plane
        4. 9.5.8.4. Building a New Scene Style
      9. 9.5.9. Surface Styles
        1. 9.5.9.1. Rendering with a Surface Style
      10. 9.5.10. Working with Animation
        1. 9.5.10.1. Animating Visibility
        2. 9.5.10.2. Animating a Constraint
        3. 9.5.10.3. Animating the Camera
    6. 9.6. Are You Experienced?
      1. 9.6.1. Now you can...
  15. A. Keyboard Shortcut Guide
  16. B. Import and Export File Formats
    1. B.1. Import File Formats
    2. B.2. Export File Formats