Introduction

Get Started Concept - File types and templates in Inventor

You can open existing files, or start new files using templates. To see the templates,
click the Application menu   New. In the New File dialog box, templates with predefined
units are available in the file types for your application. Tabs in the dialog box contain the
different standards.
Note: Before you open a file or start a new file, create or activate a project file to set the
file location.
A template can contain property information, such as part and project data, and drawing
views. You can see information stored in a file by viewing its properties.
Tip: Press the Escape key to abort or cancel an operation in process. The time it takes
to cancel an operation may vary depending on the feature or data set that is in use. For
operations with realistic preview, such as shell or fillet you can interrupt the preview. In
Drawings, the creation of a standard view can be interrupted, while high-speed draft
views cannot.
Currently, not all operations are interruptible and some operations do not respond
immediately when pressing the Escape key. A message displays when the cancellation
is complete.

Templates storage folders

Templates are stored in the following folders in the English or Metric subfolders.

 Windows 7 and Windows

8®: C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Inventor(version number)\Templates
Subfolders in the Templates folder display as tabs in the Open New File dialog box.
You can create and save custom templates in the Templates folder.

Part (.ipt) Files

When you open a part file, you are in the part environment. Part commands manipulate
sketches, features, and bodies that combine to make parts.
You can insert a single body part into assemblies, and constrain them in positions they
occupy when the assembly is manufactured. You can extract multiple part files from a
multi-body part.
Most parts start with a sketch. A sketch is the profile of a feature and any geometry
(such as a sweep path or axis of rotation) required to create the feature.
A part model is a collection of features. If necessary, solid bodies in a multi-body part file
can share features. Sketch constraints control geometric relationships such as parallel
and perpendicular. Dimensions control the size. Collectively this method is called
parametric modeling. You can adjust the constraints or dimensional parameters that
control the size and shape of a model, and automatically see the effect of your
modifications.
The following image shows a single body part (upper half of the image), and a multi-
body part (lower half of the image). Notice the different part icons in each image.

Assembly (.iam) Files

In Autodesk Inventor, you place components that act as a single functional unit into an
assembly document. Assembly joints and constraints define the position and behavior of
these components. An example is the axis of a shaft aligning with the center of a hole in
a different component.
When you create or open an assembly file, you are in the assembly environment.
Assembly commands manipulate whole subassemblies and assemblies. You can group
parts that function together as a single unit and then insert the subassembly into another
assembly.
You can insert parts into an assembly or use sketch and part commands to create parts
in the context of an assembly. During these operations, all other components in the
assembly are visible.
To complete a model, you can create assembly features that affect multiple components,
such as holes that pass through multiple parts. Assembly features often describe
specific manufacturing processes such as post-machining.
The assembly browser is a convenient way to activate components you want to edit. Use
the browser to edit sketches, features, and constraints, turn component visibility on and
off, and do other tasks. In the following image of an assembly, two of the components
display an icon indicating they are part of a contact set. Components that belong to a
contact set behave as they would in the physical world.
 Presentation (.ipn) Files
Presentation files are a multipurpose file type. Use a presentation file to:

 Create an exploded view of an assembly to use in a drawing file.

 Create an animation which shows the step by step assembly order. The
animation can contain view changes and the visibility state of components at each
step in the assembly process. You can save the animation to a .wmv or .avi file
format.

Drawing (.idw, .dwg) Files

After you create a model, you can create a drawing to document your design. In a
drawing, you place views of a model on one or more drawing sheets. Then you add
dimensions and other drawing annotations to document the model.
A drawing that documents an assembly can contain an automated parts list and item
balloons in addition to the required views.
The templates to use as the starting point for your drawings have the standard drawing
file extension (.idw, .dwg).
Autodesk Inventor maintains links between components and drawings, so you can
create a drawing at any time during the creation of a component. By default, the drawing
updates automatically when you edit the component. However, it is a good idea to wait
until a component design is nearly complete before you create a drawing. Edit the
drawing details (to add or delete dimensions or views, or to change the locations of
notes and balloons) to reflect the revisions.

Get Started Tutorials

Are you new to Inventor?

The guided tutorials included in the product are a great way to get started. This core set
of tutorials shows you a complete workflow, from basic sketching to documenting your
design. You can access these tutorials by clicking the Learning Path in the Get Started
tab, Videos and Tutorials panel on the ribbon.
Note: Assembly tutorials are not available in Inventor LT.
You can download more guided tutorials at http://www.autodesk.com/inventor-
newtutorials-2016.
After you download and install a guided tutorial, access them in the Get Started tab,
Videos and Tutorials panel. If the Videos and Tutorials panel is not displayed, right-click
in the ribbon and expand Show Panels in the context menu. Enable the Videos and
Tutorials panel.

 
 To Create Work Features

You can create work features in parts or assemblies.

Part work features and assembly work features differ in the following ways:

 In part files, part work features are nested beneath consuming work features in
the browser. In assembly files, work features are depending on the components from
which they were created; assembly work features are listed at the bottom of the
browser.
 Work features can’t be created in-line in assembly files.
 Projected geometry can’t be used in assembly files because an assembly
constraint is not available to control the work feature position.
 Midpoints can’t be selected in assembly files.
 The 3D Move/Rotate tool is not available in assembly files.
 The User Coordinate System cannot be position relatively to existing geometry in
assembly files.
 Assembly constraints are created when you create a part in-place using another
part to position a work feature.
 You can set selection priority to Select Features when selecting assembly work
features.

Create Work Planes

In a part, a work plane is an infinite construction plane that is parametrically attached to
a feature. In an assembly, a work plane is constrained relative to an existing component.

1. On the ribbon, click 3D Model tab   Work Features panel . Then, choose the
type of plane you want to create and select the appropriate geometry:

  Plane. Creates a construction plane through selected objects. Select

vertices, edges, or faces to define the plane.

  Offset from Plane. Creates a work plane parallel to the selected face
at the specified offset distance. Select a planar face and drag in the direction of the
offset. Enter a value in the edit box to specify the offset distance.

  Parallel to Plane Through Point. Creates a work plane parallel to a

selected point, face, or plane through a point. Select a planar face or work plane and
any point, in either order. The work plane coordinate system is derived from the
selected plane.

  Midplane Between Two Planes. Creates a work plane in the middle

of two planar faces or planes. Select two parallel planar faces or work planes. The
new work plane is oriented to the coordinate system and has the same outward
normal of the first selected plane.
  Midplane of Torus. Creates a work plane through the center, or
midplane, or a torus. Select a torus.

  Angle to Plane Around Edge. Creates a work plane at a 90-degree

angle from a part face or plane. Select a part face or plane and any edge or line
parallel to the face. Enter the desired angle in the edit box.

  Three Points. Creates a work plane through three endpoints,

midpoints, intersections, or work points. Select any three endpoints, midpoints,
intersections, or work points. The positive X axis is directed from the first point to the
second point. The positive Y axis is perpendicular to the positive X axis through the
third point.

  Two Coplanar Edges. Creates a work plane through two coplanar

work axes, edges, or lines. Select two coplanar work axes, edges, or lines. The
positive X axis is oriented along the first selected edge.

  Tangent to Surface Through Edge. Creates a work plane through an

edge and tangent to a curved surface. Select a curved face and a linear edge, in
either order. The X axis is defined by the line of tangency to the face. The positive Y
axis is defined from the X axis to the edge.

  Tangent to Surface Through Point. (Part files only.) Creates a work

plane through an endpoint, midpoint, or work point and tangent to a curved surface.
Select a curved face and an endpoint, midpoint, or work point. The X axis is defined
by the line of tangency to the face. The positive Y axis is defined from the X axis to the
point.

  Tangent to Surface and Parallel to Plane. Creates a work plane

tangent to a curved surface and parallel to a plane. Select a curved face and a planar
face or work plane, in either order. The new work plane coordinate system is derived
from the selected plane. This method can also be used to create a work plane tangent
to a face or plane that is normal to a plane.

  Normal to Axis Through Point. Creates a work plane perpendicular to

an edge or work axis and through an endpoint, midpoint, or work point. Select a linear
edge or axis and a point, in either order. The positive X axis is oriented from the
intersection of the plane and axis to the point. Specify the direction of the positive Y
axis.

  Normal to Curve at Point. (Part files only.) Creates a work plane

perpendicular to a curve and through a vertex, edge midpoint, sketch point, or work
point. Select a nonlinear edge or sketch curve (arc, circle, ellipse, or spline) and a
vertex, edge midpoint, sketch point, or work point on the curve. The new work plane is
normal to the curve and passes through the point.
2. If applicable, click the check mark in the edit box to accept the preview and
create the plane.
 Create Work Plane Through Axis

1. In a part file, select Work Plane  , or in an assembly file (not available in

Inventor LT), click 3D Model tab   Work Features panel   Plane
2. Select a PLANE and a LINE.

Note: The selection order does not matter. The PLANE and LINE must be parallel to
each other.
The PLANE can be a:

 Planar face in the graphics window

 Work plane in the graphics window or browser
 Sketch in browser
The LINE can be a:

 Linear edge in the graphics window

 Work axis in the graphics window or browser
 2D sketch line in the graphics window
 3D sketch line in the graphics window
3. Enter an angle in the Angle dialog box. As you change the angle, the preview
updates automatically.
4. Click the check mark in the Angle dialog box or press Enter.

Create Work Axes

 On the ribbon, click 3D Model tab   Work Features panel . Then, choose the
type of axis you want to create and select the appropriate geometry.

o  Axis. Creates a construction line that is parametrically attached to

other objects. Select edges, lines, planes, or points to create the work axis through the
selected objects.

o  On Line or Edge. Creates a work axis that is collinear with a linear
edge or sketch line. Select a linear edge or a 2D or 3D sketch line.
o  Parallel to Line Through Point. Creates a work axis through a point
and parallel to a linear edge. Select an endpoint, midpoint, sketch point, or work point.
Then, select a linear edge or sketch line.

o  Through Two Points. Creates a work axis through two endpoints,

intersections, midpoints, sketch points, or work points. Select two endpoints,
intersections, midpoints, sketch points, or work points. (You can’t select midpoints in
an assembly.) The positive direction of the new work axis is oriented from the first
point to the second point.

o  Intersection of Two Planes. Creates a work axis coincident with the

intersection of two planes. Select two nonparallel work planes or planar faces.

o  Normal to Plane Through Point. (Part files only.) Creates a work axis
through a point and perpendicular to a plane. Select a planar face or work plane and a
point.

o  Through Center of Circular or Elliptical Shape. Creates a work axis

coincident with the axis of a circle, ellipse, or fillet. Select the edge of a circle, ellipse,
or fillet.

o  Through Revolved Face or Feature. Creates a work axis coincident

with the axis of a face or feature. Select a revolved face or feature.

Create Work Points

1. On the ribbon, click 3D Model tab   Work Features panel . Then, choose the
type of point you want to create and click or select the appropriate geometry.

  Point. Creates a construction point that is parametrically attached to

other objects. Select model vertices, edge and axis intersections, or intersections of
three nonparallel faces or planes to create a work point. In an assembly, in-line work
features are not available and midpoints can’t be selected.

  On Vertex, Sketch Point, or Midpoint. Creates a work point on a 2D

or 3D sketch point, vertex, or the endpoint or midpoint of a line or linear edge. Select a
2D or 3D sketch point, vertex, or the endpoint or midpoint of a line or linear edge.

  Intersection of Three Planes. Creates a work point at the intersection

of three work planes or planar faces. Select three work planes or planar faces.

  Intersection of Two Lines. Creates a work point at the intersection of

two lines. Select any two lines including linear edges, 2D or 3D sketch lines, and work
axes.
  Intersection of Plane/Surface and Line. (Part files only.) Creates a
work point at the intersection of a planar face or work plane and a work axis or line.
Select a planar face or work plane and a work axis or line. Or, select a surface and a
sketch line, straight edge, or work axis.

  Center Point of Loop of Edges. (Part files only.) Creates a work point
on any closed loop when the Loop Select option is active. First, right-click and select
Loop Select from the pop-up context menu. Then select one edge of a closed loop of
edges.

  Center Point of Torus. Creates a work point through the center, or

midplane, of a torus. Select a torus.

  Center Point of Sphere. Creates a work point at the center of a

sphere. Select a sphere.

Create a Grounded Work Point in a Part

To create a grounded work point, you must specify the point’s X, Y, and Z coordinates.
The point remains fixed in space regardless of changes to model geometry. In-line work
features are not available for grounded work points.

1. On the ribbon, click 3D Model tab   Work Features panel   Grounded

Point  .
2. Click a work point, midpoint, or vertex.
A pushpin cursor symbol indicates the selection is grounded and the 3D Move/Rotate
tool displays with its axes aligned with the principal axes of the part.

3. Click or drag an axis or center of the tool, then enter values in the 3D
Move/Rotate dialog box and click Apply. Repeat until the X, Y, and Z coordinates are
defined.

Note: You can ground an associative work point, and then unground it if the point is not
moved. If you move the point using the triad, you cannot change it back to an
associative work point.

Show Me How to Create a Grounded Work Point

Create a Grounded Work Point in an Assembly

1. On the ribbon, click 3D Model tab   Work Features panel   Point  .

2. Click geometry to position the work point.
3. In the browser, right-click the work point symbol and choose Grounded.