Datasheet

20 CHAPTER 1 INVENTOR DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
The Design Accelerator is an important component of the functional design system, providing
the user with engineering calculation and decision-making support to identify and place standard
components or create standards-based geometry from the input provided by the user. Design
Accelerator tools automate selecting standard parts and creating intelligent geometry. The ini-
tial design quality is improved by validating against design requirements. Standardization is
simplified by selecting the same components for the same tasks.
The Design Accelerator provides a set of component generators and calculators that are able
to create mechanically correct standard components automatically by entering simple or detailed
information.
The Bolted Connection Generator is one example of a tool that can create and insert a complete
bolted connection all at once by sizing the bolt diameter and length, by selecting the right parts
and holes, and by assembling all the components together.
The Frame Generator will create internal or external frame assemblies for machines. The Frame
Generator functions by creating a skeleton part to define the frame within an assembly file. You
then use the skeleton to place and size the frame members. You can then use multiple skele-
tal models within an assembly to create frame members, and you can create frame members
between skeletal models. You can also create frame members from the vertices and edges of exist-
ing subassemblies. This ability allows you to build framing between other components within an
assembly.
Joining frame members together and adjusting the end treatments for connection between
members is a simple matter when using the Frame Generator. Joining frame members with weld
gaps and coped joints is supported.
Inventor Studio is an environment within Autodesk Inventor with a complete set of tools for
creating and editing renderings and animations. With Inventor Studio you will be able to create
animated renderings and photorealistic still images of parts and assemblies to help visualize the
appearance and motion of designs before they are built.
Inventor Studio allows you to specify geometry and apply settings for background lights and
cameras to create a scene for rendering or animation. You can create and save multiple animations
within any one assembly file. You can use Inventor constraints and parameters to drive animations
within the assembly file. In addition, any changes that are made in the part or assembly file will
be transferred and reflected in the rendering and animation files.
The AutoLimits tool monitors selected aspects of the design relative to boundaries that the
user specifies. If results fall above or below the boundary limits, a warning indicator is displayed.
AutoLimits can also be used to measure distance, length, volume, mass, and so on. Once AutoLim-
its are created, they constantly monitor to make sure the design still fits its requirements.
The Inventor Content Center libraries provide the designer with standard parts (fasteners, steel
shapes, shaft parts, and so on) and part features. You can access the Content Center libraries from
the Content Center in the Assembly tool panel, and you can share the libraries between users to
provide a high level of standardization.
The Content Center dialog box permits you to look up and insert standard parts and features
into an assembly design. You can create custom Content Center folders to allow users to create
custom parts for use within the Content Center. Content Center parts allow users to specify ANSI,
DIN, ISO, and other international standard parts within the design environment.
Understanding Solids vs. Surface Modeling
Inventor provides the ability to create parametric models in either solid modeling or surface
modeling form. In many cases, you can employ both techniques when creating a single part.