Autodesk Inventor

[richards]

Has anyone used Autodesk's Inventor software?

I saw a demonstration this morning that literally left me with my mouth hanging open. Basically, I went to the local AutoCad store to ask a simple question about 3-D drawings with AutoCad LT. While we were waiting for the resident AutoCad expert to arrive, I watched a demo of Inventor, Version 8. Within 5 minutes the demonstrator had designed a complete set of cabinets, with all data linked to a spreadsheet. When the data was changed in the spreadsheet and the update button clicked, the drawings changed to reflect the new numbers. Then the demonstrator built a standard AutoCad drawing file, showing all three views plus an isometric drawing and parts list by clicking a few buttons. Finally, he built an assembly video that showed the cabinets as exploded parts and the step-by-step process that one would use to assemble the parts. When I asked the price, he was a little hesitant but finally admitted that the price was a little steep - about $3,500. I couldn't believe it - ONLY $3,500? It seemed like a lot of software for the price.

My question is simply this: Has anyone used Inventor and if so, how does it compare to the software offered on Shopbot's price list? (I'm not trying to shift sales away from Shopbot and their partners. I'm simply wondering where this fits in and how it compares to other software that has similar features.)

Mike

[nihonjin]

Based on what I know about AutoCad LT from Autodesk Corporation. This version does NOT have 3-D capability.

I may be incorrect, if I am please accept my appologies.

[gerald_d]

Neil, I don't understand your response to Michael's question on Inventor, which is a completely different product from AutoCad than the LT that you are referring to.

(BTW, if you look hard, you will see that LT does have some 3D capability, enough for a lot of ShopBot stuff.)

[woody]

I use Inventor 6 and love it, I build 3d models and import them in to Cabinet Vision for designing kitchen detail parts, Then I take the part an send it to ProCam as a solid and program it to machine it. Programming in a solid or a surface is better then using a 2d drawing but takes longer, it is best for a 3d surface(like ramp and twist hand rails). You can also export a stl file to use in mill wiz.

[simon]

I am finding it hard to pin anyone down to a price for INVENTOR. Anyone know what it costs, and if there are any trial downloads available anywhere?

[james_rabeneck]

Simon,
Here is a link to the Autodesk store

http://estore.autodesk.com/dr/v2/ec_dynamic.main?sp=1&pn=1&sid=19515.

Resellers will probably have a demo version available.

Jim