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Waguespack c01.tex V2 - 08/30/2008 1:44pm Page 24
24 CHAPTER 1 INVENTOR DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
Figure 1.13
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Sean Says: Don’t Try to Use Inventor As If It Were AutoCAD
Users must also realize that Inventor is not AutoCAD. AutoCAD has millions of possible ways to
annotate designs and is seemingly infinitely customizable. Many companies complain that Inventor
cannot mimic the output of AutoCAD. However, upon closer investigation, no one in those compa-
nies can remember why their designs are documented in that particular fashion. My suggestion is
to take the time to evaluate your documentation rules and specifications. Just as design standards
were changed when companies switched from the drafting board to AutoCAD, so should they be
scrutinized when switching from AutoCAD to Inventor.
Digital Communication
In making the move from two-dimensional to three-dimensional design, you may want to con-
sider modernizing all aspects of your documentation workflow. Now may be the time to move
from paper to electronic documentation in all areas where the transmitted information may be
utilized.
Instead of plotting paper drawings and having to manage them to make sure that the latest ver-
sion of each drawing file is properly distributed to all departments, consider using the Autodesk
DWF format as a method of recording and documenting IDW or DWG output.
If you are using Autodesk Vault or Productstream, you could set an option in either products to
automatically generate an updated DWF file that could then be made available to all departments.
A relatively ordinary PC in each department could be used to view the DWF document, apply
markups and changes, and, if necessary, generate a paper print.
If you were to implement full use of Autodesk Productstream, then you would be able to
manage revisions and engineering change orders electronically, documenting every change.
Using electronic files in this manner assures that every department has access to the latest,
up-to-date documentation.
The Bottom Line
Manage toolbars in Autodesk Inventor In this first chapter, you learned how the Inven-
tor interface is designed to function efficiently, with tool panels that switch depending upon
the stage of design and the environment in which you are working. The Inventor interface is
designed for simplicity, ease of use, and ease of learning.
Master It You find that using the scroll bars in the tool panels to access commands is
tedious and a bit difficult to keep track of which command is where.