2010 Inventor Interface

The biggest thing that jumps out at me when launching the new Autodesk Inventor 2010, is the new User interface. It's hard to miss the new ribbon bar. For those who are familiar with the newer Microsoft Ofifce products (2007) it will look awfully familiar. For those who are not, I encourage you to approach it with an open mind and take the tutorial. I think with a little open mindedness, you'll find the logical grouping of task bars to help streamline the commands that are needed. Before you see it and make up your mind that you don't like it, give it a fair chance. I think you'll like what you see. I know I did.

John with the CAD Geeks

Vault Workgroup - Automatic File Naming

One of the features in the new Autodesk Vault Workgroup is the ability to create multiple predefined file numbering schemes. These can be used within the Vault client to rename existing vaulted files, or to suggest unique names for new components created in Inventor.

File names can contain a variety of elements including Auto-Generated sequences, fixed text, free text, or predefined lists.

When saving new files in Inventor, or using Save As, a unique file name can be automatically assigned. There is even an option within the Inventor Vault settings to only assign file names for parts and assemblies. The drawing and presentation file can then default to the part or assembly name it is documenting.

Contributed by Ben of the INCAT CAD Geeks

The Incredible Alias Promptline!

The lonely prompt line just sits there doing its thing. Rarely does it get any credit as being a gotta have tool or vital to a work flow. But... it has a lot of power if we would just stop and READ what it is telling us.

Click HERE to watch the video

Created by Aaron... Your Alias CAD Geek

AutoCAD Electricals New User Interface

AutoCAD Electrical 2010 features a streamlined user interface. Find your favorite tools and commands faster, locate lesser-used tools more efficiently, and discover relevant new features more easily.
The new ribbon interface in AutoCAD Electrical 2010 window offers easy access to common tools. Command buttons are displayed in a set of tabs, grouped according to task. The result is less time searching through menus and toolbars, and more time getting your work done.
Lets take a look:
http://www.screencast.com/t/pxjbbtHkJ

Created by Dave one of the Cad Geeks

Change State and Revise right in my Inventor tools?

Well lookee there. The new data management tools in the Vault 2010 products are sure making it easier to manage the release of drawings for production. This is definitely the case with the Change State and Revise tools that are now built right into both the Inventor and AutoCAD environments with Vault Workgroup.

The Change State command allows us to manage the lifecycle of the file directly from the CAD window, and will even automate the Revision assignment process if Vault Workgroup is configured to do so. The Revise command will let us manually define the Revision with more control such as might be required for tertiary revisions.

Contributed by Ben of the INCAT CAD Geeks

Importing Alias files to Showcase

This weeks post talks about importing Alias data into Showcase as well as how easy it it to update your Showcase scene after changes are made to the Alias model.

Click HERE to watch the video

Created by Aaron... Your Alias CAD Geek!

More Generators

Although I've been doing a series on Design Accelerators, I wanted to touch on another aspect of auto creation and workflow with the Frame Generator. Today we'll take a look at why it's useful and time saving to create a frame in the context of an assembly using this tool. I'll point out a few things like using projected geometry to act as the skeleton and how you can quickly and easily make updates with your model staying intact....

WATCH VIDEO HERE

John with the INCAT CAD Geeks

Spring is almost here - along with new solutions

Around this time each year the air just smells better, the birds start to sing again, and my favorite... New Autodesk software. I have been digging into the beta software for the Autodesk Data Management products and have found a lot to be excited about. I know you must be thinking that I must be a bit odd to get excited about data management, but I can already tell that this upcoming product line will be the solution that many of my customers have been waiting for. To get a first look at the new Autodesk Vault solutions, please join me for a "What's New" data management webcast on Friday, March 27th.

Sign Up Here

Contributed by Ben of the INCAT CAD Geeks

Alias Bend Rig

The Bend Rig is an awesomely simple and powerful tool! Have you ever had to model up a part and then someone comes along and says... we need some crown, bend, shape, etc. in that part. Now you can stop grinding your teeth and just smile knowing that it is an easy change!

Click HERE to watch the video

Created by Aaron... your Alias CAD Geek!

Creating Symbols with Symbol Builder

Todays post takes a look at working with the symbol builder tool. If you are not currently running 2009 there has been a change to the interface of the symbol builder tool.

Creating an AutoCAD Electrical symbol includes adding the necessary attributes based on the symbol type, and for a schematic symbol, selecting an appropriate file name. Symbol builder uses attributes templates to facilitate adding the attributes. If you select a schematic symbol type, symbol builder suggests a file name based on the AutoCAD Electrical naming conventions. You will also use this tool to take existing non-AutoCAD Electrical Blocks and make them Electrical intelligent.

Lets take a look:

http://www.screencast.com/t/b0TlFezym

Created by Dave one of the Cad Geeks

Configuring Saved searches in Vault

One of the search options added to Vault has been the ability to predefine elements of a search, while still allowing for elements that require new search inputs. We can call this a "Configured Saved Search".

Take a look at this video for an example of setting up a configured search and the workflow to use it.

Watch Video Here

Contributed by Ben of the INCAT CAD Geeks

Alias Twist Rig

This weeks we will cover the Twist Rig. This is a useful tool for speeding up the process of finding just the right shape if you are modifying something along an axis. Sure is a lot faster than pushing and pulling cv's!

Click HERE to watch the video!

Created by Aaron... your Alias CAD Geek

3 Phase Motor Auto Connection

Something new in Autocad Electrical 2009. Connecting the 3-phase wiring to the motor symbol is now automatic. When you insert your motor symbol and your 3-phase wiring is already present, place your symbol on or near the wires and the wires are angled and trimmed to meet the motor symbol
Lets take a look:
http://www.screencast.com/t/8gQrCLK41D6
Created by Dave one of the Cad Geeks

Controlling Layers in Inventor Drawings

I have often been asked about how to assign layers to different components in an Inventor drawing. The number one variation of this question involves some sort of automatic layer mapping to different parts in an assembly. While this isn't a task that is automatic, there are some selection techniques that can be used in drawings to speed this task. Check out this video to see how selection filters, browser selection, and the "select as edges" right click option can help you assign layers to your drawings as well.

Watch Video Here

Contributed by Ben of the INCAT CAD Geeks