Training Manual

Inventor Getting Started Training

Prepared by:

Alvin Chui

Last Updated:

June 11, 2024

Inventor Getting Started Training

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Inventor ........................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1. General Software Information........................................................................................................................... 1

1.2. Product Licensing ............................................................................................................................................... 1
1.3. Launching Inventor ............................................................................................................................................ 1
1.4. Dark Theme ....................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.5. Home ................................................................................................................................................................. 3
1.6. Project File ......................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.7. User Interface .................................................................................................................................................... 5
1.8. Mouse Navigation.............................................................................................................................................. 6
1.9. iProperties ......................................................................................................................................................... 7
1.10. Templates ........................................................................................................................................................ 8
1.11. Inventor Main File Types ...............................................................................................................................10
1.12. Summary ........................................................................................................................................................12
2. Part Modeling .........................................................................................................................................................13

2.1. Sketching..........................................................................................................................................................14
2.1. Part Modeling 1 ...............................................................................................................................................15
2.2. Part Modeling 2 ...............................................................................................................................................16
2.3. Part Modeling 3 ...............................................................................................................................................17
2.4. Part Modeling 4 ...............................................................................................................................................18
3. Assembly .................................................................................................................................................................19

3.1. Place Components ...........................................................................................................................................20

3.2. Editing Components ........................................................................................................................................22
3.3. Ground Components .......................................................................................................................................23
3.4. Constraint Components ...................................................................................................................................24
3.5. Visibility of Components ..................................................................................................................................26
3.6. Assembly Representations ..............................................................................................................................27
3.7. Bill of Material .................................................................................................................................................29
3.8. Assembly File Management ............................................................................................................................31
3.5. Assembly 1 (Rigid)............................................................................................................................................32
3.6. Assembly 2 .......................................................................................................................................................36
3.7. Assembly 3 .......................................................................................................................................................37

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4. Drawing ...................................................................................................................................................................38

4.1. Anatomy of an Inventor Drawing ....................................................................................................................39

4.2. Drawing File Format ........................................................................................................................................40
4.3. Place Views ......................................................................................................................................................41
4.4. Create Annotations..........................................................................................................................................44
4.5. Drawing Settings ..............................................................................................................................................46
4.6. Titleblock .........................................................................................................................................................47
4.2. Drawing 1 (Orthographic Drawing)..................................................................................................................48
4.3. Drawing 2 (ISOMETRIC DRAWING) ..................................................................................................................48
4.4. Drawing 3 (ASSEMBLY DRAWING) ...................................................................................................................50
5. Exercises .................................................................................................................................................................51

5.1. Exercise 1 .........................................................................................................................................................51

5.2. Exercise 2 .........................................................................................................................................................52
5.3 Exercise 3 .........................................................................................................................................................53
5.4 Exercise 4 .........................................................................................................................................................54
5.5 Exercise 5 .........................................................................................................................................................55

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1. Introduction to Inventor

1.1. General Software Information

Inventor is a 3D CAD Software by Autodesk. It is used primarily to make Engineering Designs; hence, it comes
built in with various Engineering Tools.

Inventor adopts the Parametric Modelling approach; and is typically used for Solid Body Modelling.

Autodesk typically release a new version of Inventor around April of each year. The version number of the new
release is usually 1+ the current calendar year (e.g.: Autodesk releases Inventor 2022 in April 2021).

Inventor is Backwards Compatible only (i.e.: newer versions of Inventor may open files from older versions, but
not the other way around).

Inventor is the core software in the Product Design and Manufacturing Collection (PDMC), where several other
products in the PDMC are add-ins to Inventor. These include Inventor Nastran, Inventor CAM, Inventor Nesting,
Inventor Tolerance Analysis and Factory Design Utilities.

1.2. Product Licensing

Inventor is licensed via Autodesk’s Single-User licenses. All users need to sign-in using their respective AUTODESK
ID, and will only be granted access if that AUTODESK ID has an Inventor license assigned to it.

You may verify which products are assigned to you from the Autodesk Manage Portal (manage.autodesk.com).

If you do not have Inventor license assigned to your AUTODESK ID, consult the Contract Manager in your
organization.

1.3. Launching Inventor

Inventor can be launched from the Desktop shortcut, or the Start Menu.

Tip: Pin the application to your start menu for easy access.

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1.4. Dark Theme

Beginning with version 2021, Autodesk has introduced the Dark Theme in Inventor. Dark Theme is ideal for
reducing eye stress when staring at the computer screen during long hours. Plus, it looks great.

Some of the images in this Training Manual will be using the Dark Theme appearances.

To turn on Dark Theme:

1. Tools > Application Options

2. In the Colors tab, Change UI Theme to Dark

3. Click Apply/OK

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1.5. Home

Item Name Description

1 New File Shortcuts for creating a new file using the standard templates
2 Projects A list of projects that are loaded in Inventor. User can activate a project from
this list.
3 Recent Files Displays the filename and thumbnail of recently opened files for the active
project. User may click on the thumbnail to open the file.

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1.6. Project File

Project files configures important folder location settings that Inventor needs

To set your Project File:

1. Close all files (must be set before opening any files)

2. Get Started > Launch > Projects

3. Double-Click on a Project name to activate the Project, or

Click Browse and browse for an .IPJ file to add an existing Project file to the list

Task: Add the Inventor Getting Started Training project and activate it

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1.7. User Interface

6
7

Item Name Description

1 Ribbon Contains most of the tools that you use in Inventor. E.g.: Sketch, Extrude,
etc.
2 Model Browser A list of objects that you have in your model and drawings
3 Graphic Window Displays the model and drawings
4 View Cube A Navigation tool to view around your 3D model
5 Quick Access Toolbar Your own customizable toolbar for frequently used commands.
6 Document Tabs The documents you open are arranged into tabs that you can toggle through
7 Status Bar Shows the current process that Inventor is doing, and input that inventor
requires for a certain command.

Task: Open a part file, then explore the user interface elements.

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1.8. Mouse Navigation

3 Main Navigation Tools

1. Pan: Middle Mouse Button

2. Zoom: Scroll Wheel Up/Down

3. Orbit: Shift + Middle Mouse Button

Use View Cube to orient view from different sides

Tip: Double click Middle Mouse to zoom extents

Tip: <F4> and left-click to set rotation center

Tip: <Z> to zoom window

Task: Open a file, then explore the mouse Navigation.

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1.9. iProperties

The information of your design (i.e.: metadata). E.g.: Mass, Length, Material, Manufacturer, Designed By, etc.

To access iProperties:

1. Application Menu > iProperties, or

2. Select in Browser > Right-Click > iProperties

Task: Open a part file. Access the iProperties > Physical tab. Check the Volume of the part.

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1.10. Templates

The New command uses template files as a starting point. Template file location is controlled by the Project File.

If the project is using the default templates folder (as in the Inventor Getting Started Training project), it uses the
files in C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Inventor 2022\Templates\en-US\.

To change the template units and standard:

1. In the Home page > click on the Gear symbol in the New section

2. Choose the units and standard that you would like to use

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3. Click OK, and then choose Overwrite when prompted that you would be replacing the template files.

Task: Set your default template to millimetres and ANSI.

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1.11. Inventor Main File Types

There are four main Inventor file types.

File Type File Extension Description

Part .ipt A part is a single continuous material
Assembly .iam A combination of multiple parts that are joined together
Drawing .idw or .dwg A projection of a 3D model on 2D paper space
Presentation .ipn An exploded view of an assembly

Part .ipt Assembly .iam

Presentation
Drawing .idw
.ipn

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The general workflow in Inventor is to

1. Design Parts
2. Assemble the parts together
3. Create Exploded Views (optional)
4. Create Drawings

Create Parts

Put them in
Assemblies

Create
Exploded Views

Place them in
Drawings

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1.12. Summary

Inventor is a 3D Parametric Modeller

Key User Interface Features

1. Browser
2. Mouse Navigation
3. Keyboard Shortcuts

Main File Types

1. Part
2. Assembly
3. Drawing
4. Presentation

General Workflow in Inventor:

Part > Assembly > Presentation > Drawing

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2. Part Modeling

• Every part consists of extrusions, revolutions, holes, fillets, etc.

• These features are made by first creating a sketch
• Sketch the profile of the features

Sketch Features Parts

Important: A “sketch” is NOT a “drawing”. A sketch is a construction element for the features that you are
going to make.

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2.1. Sketching

Inventor starts a part file with the default feature mode, not the sketch mode. To enter the sketch mode:

1. 3D Model > Sketch > Start 2D Sketch

2. Pick a plane to sketch on (e.g.: XY plane, planar faces, workplanes, etc)

Tip: You can disable the automatic view rotate when sketching in the Application Options

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2.1. Part Modeling 1

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2.2. Part Modeling 2

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2.3. Part Modeling 3

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2.4. Part Modeling 4

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3. Assembly

Several parts are put together to make up a component

The parts are connected to one another via constraints

Part
Assembly
Part

• Part – A single solid object

• Assembly – A collection of parts or subassemblies
• Subassembly – An assembly within an assembly
• Component – The direct child of the assembly. It can be a part or subassembly

Assembly (Main Assembly)

Assembly (Sub-Assembly)
Is also a component of _Jet Engine Model.iam

A Part
A component of Combustion Stage.iam but
not a component of _Jet Engine Model.iam

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3.1. Place Components

Putting objects into your assembly

1. Assemble > Component > Place

2. Browse for the part or assembly file
3. Click to place into assembly. You can place multiple occurrence

Note: If the component file is changed. All occurrences of the component will change as well

A library of standard parts with various sizes (bolts, nuts, washers, etc.)

1. Assemble > Component > Place from Content Center

2. Find the family of component.

Tip: Use the library/standard filters and categories to find the desired content center family
Tip: There are many Content Certer objects. If you find that it takes a long time to load the content center
library, you may set your project file to load only the library of components that your company uses in
order to speed up load time.

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3. Place at suitable references

Important: Content Center Files are saved to the location specified by the active project.

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3.2. Editing Components

There are two ways to edit Components:

1. Editing components directly from assembly file:

a. Double Click on the component you want to edit on the graphics window or from the browser
b. Make your edits
c. Return to main assembly

Tip: Keep an eye out for the Return command at the end of the ribbon to recognize that you are in
component editing mode.

1. Editing Components from their files:

a. Right-click on a component and select Open File

b. Make your edits

c. Go to assembly and Press Update

Tip: Always be alert for updates when working with assemblies and drawings

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3.3. Ground Components

Components placed inside an assembly float around in space. Grounding a component fixes it in its location

To ground a component:

1. Right-Click on a component in the graphics window or from the browser

2. Grounded (keyboard shortcut G)

Tip: At least one part should be grounded in an assembly. It is usually the base component, or the biggest
component, or a component where the majority of other components are fixed to it.
Tip: Do not ground a component for the purpose of joining it to another component.

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3.4. Constraint Components

The connection between parts that helps position them in relation to one another

1. Assemble > Relationships > Constrain

2. Choose Constraint type
3. Select object pairs to constraint
Tip: Mate and Flush are the most commonly used constraints

Important: Constraints can be applied to faces, edges, vertices, lines and points. Pay attention to the object that is
highlighted in the graphics window before clicking to select an object.

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Constraint Description
Mate Stick faces together

Stick axis together

Flush Align surfaces to same level

Insert Select circular edge

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3.5. Visibility of Components

Sometimes, you may want to hide some components that block the view

To hide components:

1. Right-Click on components in the graphics window or from the browser

2. Visibility (Keyboard shortcut V)
,or...
1. Select Component
2. Press Alt+V on your keyboard

Tip: Transparency shortcut Alt+T

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3.6. Assembly Representations

Create different representations of your design within the same file. The representation can be just visual, or it
could represent the different positions that the design can take, or it could represent the different variants of the
design.

Representations

View Position Model State

Representation Description
View Control visibility & color of components in assembly
• None – all visible
• Use “Lock” to freeze state
• Nested view in assembly

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Position Create an assembly to represent multiple positional states.

Positional representation is created by overriding constraints.
1. Right-Click on Position and click New
2. Modify constraint dimensions

Model State Create variants of an assmbly

Can suppress components or select different model states of components
Suppress components are omitted from the assembly and Bill of Material

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3.7. Bill of Material

A list of components in your assembly including their metadata

Assemble > Manage > Bill of Material

BOM tabs Description

Model Data Shows all files in assembly. It is not the final BOM
Structured Shows all components in their modelled assembly hierarchy
Parts Only Shows all the parts as a flat list of items

You can change the BOM structure of a file to alter how they appear in the final BOM

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BOM structure Description

Normal Normal is the default BOM Structure for new components.
Normal components will show up in the final BOM
Reference Reference components are components that are used for construction geometry or to add
context to a design.
Reference components are omitted in the final BOM.
Phantom Phantom components are used for dummy assemblies that are need for modeling but are not
needed in the BOM.
The phantom component will be omitted from the BOM
The child of a phantom component will be promoted to the phantom component’s level in
structured BOM.
Purchased Purchased components are components that are not fabricated, and simply purchased from
supplier
Purchased Assemblies will be listed in parts only BOM, it’s children will be omitted in parts
only BOM
Inseparable Welded, fabricated component.
Considered as a single line item like purchased.
Inseparable Assemblies will be listed in parts only BOM, it’s children will be omitted, except
for Purchased children.

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3.8. Assembly File Management

The assembly file does not store the geometry of the final assembly, rather it just stores the address to its
component files.

Hence, if you simply copy the assembly file without the parts, then your file will open up empty.

Tip: If you need to export all files used in the assembly, use Pack and Go.

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3.5. Assembly 1 (Rigid)

3.
4. Firstly, select the assembly standard(mm).iam.

5.
6. Select the part component

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1. Right click on the assembly model and select grounded.

2. The other component will be placed.

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3. Select the relationship joint and select type of joint to rigid. Select the hole of the part file standard.

4. After select the part hole, select the hole of the base.

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5. The align command need to be select and select apply.

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3.6. Assembly 2

1. Firstly, select constrain and selection 1 select the base of the cylinder. For selection 2 select the base
surface accordingly.
2. Click on contrain again and select the hole of the cylinder and base.
3. Continue doing the step 2 for one more hole to make it well fits.

4. In other to apply the bolts for the cylinder. Go to place from content center and select the desired bolts.

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3.7. Assembly 3

1. Firstly, select constrain and selection 1 select the center line of the piston. For selection 2 select the
center line of the cylinder accordingly.

2. The piston will slide up and down inside the cylinder.

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4. Drawing

Drawings refers engineering drawings that you would print out and bring to the shop floor

Sometimes drawings are printed when physical copies are required (e.g.: submission, archive)

Drawings are used by the production team or for documentations

Drawings are not sketches and vice versa

Drawings make use of your 3D model and places them into your sheets.

You do not need to draw everything again.

Part
Drawing
Assembly

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4.1. Anatomy of an Inventor Drawing

3
5

6
7

Item Name Description

1 Views Snapshot of your 3D model projected on the sheet
2 Annotations Additional information displayed in the form of text or lines
3 Sheet The printed space, representing a sheet of paper
4 Unprinted Space Area which is outside the printed space, can be used to dump unwanted views
5 Drawing Browser List of items in the drawing
6 Title Block Area where drawing metadata is displayed
7 Border Lines representing the margin of the drawing

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4.2. Drawing File Format

Inventor has two drawing file format .idw and .dwg

File Format Description

.idw • Original Inventor file format
• File is slightly smaller
• Cannot be directly opened in AutoCAD
.dwg • AutoCAD file format
• File can be directly opened in AutoCAD
• File is slightly bigger

Tip: It is best to standardize across your organization and use one single file format

Tip: Choose the correct format during creation of a new drawing.

Tip: Use .dwg file format. This will help when you have any AutoCAD user who may wish to open any of your
drawings on their AutoCAD.

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4.3. Place Views

Views are snapshots of your 3D model projected into your drawing

To place a view:

1. Place Views > Create

2. Choose the type of View to place. You will need a base view as a starting view.
3. Browse for file to put in drawing
4. Set Scale, Style and Orientation
5. Click on Sheet to position base view

Tip: You can mouse over the sheet to see a preview

View Type Description

Base First view that you must create in a sheet.
Browse for any 3D model file that you want to place into the sheet.

Projected Orthogonal projection view (E.g.: right view, top view, etc)
Can also be used to create isometric projection view

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Auxilliary Projection view from an arbitrary angle

Section A cut-out view based on a defined plane

Detail An enlarged view on a particular area

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Overlay A single view made out of multiple representations

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4.4. Create Annotations

Annotation Description
Dimensions Numerical annotations that indicate the geometric properties of the model
Annotate > Dimension > Dimension / Baseline / Ordinate / Chain / Retrieve
Tip: When using Baseline, Ordinate or Chain dimensions, do not forget to finish the command
by Right-Click > Create

Hole Notes Annotate > Feature Notes > Hole and Thread
Click on Hole

Text

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Parts List
Balloon
Hole Table

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4.5. Drawing Settings

1. Firsly, select and select the . There were five step to make a drawing file.
2. First step is by select the paper format weather it is in A4,A3 and so on. For now i would select the A4
paper because its convenient. Right click on Sheet 1 and select . The orientation make it as a
default is good.
3. Second step is by right click on the and edit definition. The size of the title block can be adjust to
your desired sizes.
4. Next, right click on the and select the iProperties. Inside the iProperties tab. We can insert the
information for instance Author, Checked by, Engineer approved by, creation date, company name, Title,
part number and so on.

5. Then, we need to manually insert the information by using the icon.

6. Lastly, go to . In default standard(ISO) change the decimal marker to period and click save. After
that, go to the dimension Change the decimal marker into period and click save. Then, go to

view preferences and proection type select .

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4.6. Titleblock

Title block and border are stored as drawing resources and can be used for multiple sheets

To edit a title block, right-click > edit reference

Tip: Title block usually contain smart text that take the properties of the model or drawing. Use this to the full
extent

Titleblock definition

Titleblock used in Sheet:1

Titleblocks can be saved inside a drawing templates and be available to you when you create a new drawing

Tip: Create your own titleblock, save it inside a drawing template and standardize across your team

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4.2. Drawing 1 (Orthographic Drawing)

1. Click on the Base choose the assembly file and open.

2. Adjust the scale to 1:2.5 that fits in the drawing paper.

3. Click to the select the . Apply the dimensions on the drawing with height, width and
length.

4. To label use and go to the drawing paper and type top view, front view and side view under the
parts drawing.

4.3. Drawing 2 (ISOMETRIC DRAWING)

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1. For drawing 2 which is the isometric drawing, just select to begin.

2. Go to base and browse the project assembly that we want and make the drawing as top right view and
make sure the shaded is on and click ok.
3. Go to base again and select the assembly drawing and make it as bottom left view. make sure the shaded
is on and click ok.

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4.4. Drawing 3 (ASSEMBLY DRAWING)

1. For drawing 3 which is the assembly drawing, just select to begin.

2. Choose the home button , and scale the drawing into 1:1.3.

3. Go to and select the bill of material or Part list and select the aseembly part and click ok.
4. Double click on the table and select . Add the material properties into the selected properties and
click apply.

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5. Exercises
5.1. Exercise 1

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5.2. Exercise 2

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5.3 Exercise 3

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5.4 Exercise 4

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5.5 Exercise 5

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