Autodesk Inventor

Autodesk Inventor is a 3D mechanical solid modeling design software developed by Autodesk to create 3D digital prototypes. It is used for 3D mechanical design, design communication, tooling creation and product simulation. This software enables users to produce accurate 3D models to aid in designing, visualizing and simulating products before they are built.

This software incorporates integrated motion simulation and assembly stress analysis, whereby users are given options to input driving loads, dynamic components, friction loads and further run the dynamic simulation to test how the product will function in a real-world scenario. These simulation tools enable users designing cars or automotive parts, for example, to optimize the strength and weight of a product, identify high-stress areas, identify and reduce unwanted vibrations, and even size motors to reduce their overall energy consumption.

Autodesk Inventor's finite element analysis feature allows users to validate the component design through testing part performance under loads. The optimization technology and parametric studies permit users to design parameters within assembly stress areas and compare the design options. Then, the 3D model is updated based on these optimized parameters.

Autodesk Inventor also uses special file formats for parts, assemblies and drawing views. The files are imported or exported in a DWG (drawing) format. However, the 2D and 3D data interchange and review format that Autodesk Inventor uses most frequently is design web format (DWF).