Here is a very useful tool from Autodesk Labs to recognise parametric features from base solids or translated model.

I remember looking at an early version of feature recognition for MDT 6 back in 2002.

This gave the potential to recognise features automatically but in practice was quite limited

as you could not choose specific parts of the model to work on.

The latest offering from Autodesk Labs has taken this concept further by allowing many more advanced tools for selecting specific faces on the model to convert to features or a fully automated mode. In practice, it is better just to recognise the features that will need changing. In the fan example I just convert the holes, which takes just a few seconds. If you work with translated data or want to modify or rework some of your older 3D designs then this tool could prove to be a very useful addition to Autodesk Inventor.

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/feature_recognition/

Enjoy,

Lawrenceh

The boys and girls at Autodesk Labs have been busy with a great tool for Inventor 2011 which allows the creation of 3D annotations. This is intended for conceptual modelling where you need to get a simple concept across without the need for traditional 2D drawings.

The tools have been designed for simple and easy use and what I really liked was the PMI browser that allows you to quickly control visibility,  track and edit all 3D annotations. The 3DA (3D Annotations) application automatically groups annotation objects such as Text, Symbols and dimensions.

It is definitely worth a look if you have the need to create quick design concepts and do not want to create 2D drawings.

You can download 3DA at:

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/inventor3da/

LawrenceH

The guys and girls at Autodesk Labs have once again been busy updating and refining some of the great new technologies for Autodesk Inventor 2011.

This one below will take AutoCAD 2D drawings and assist in creating 3D Parametric models within Inventor 2011.

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/2d_to_3d_tool/

Simply start with at least two 2D drawing views in AutoCAD.

Import this into an Inventor Part file and then finish the sketch. Notice the 2D to 3D panel shown below.

Click the base view.

Once this is done add the Projected views as shown below and Inventor will align these views Automatically.

If the Alignment is not correct then use the Align Sketch Tool.

Use the Extrude tool to Extrude to a selected point on the sketch and then a second Extrude, in this case, using an intersect.

Here is the result in 3D.

A quick tool to take 2D CAD drawings and create 3D parametric Inventor components.

LawrenceH

A couple of weeks back I blogged about the continued connectivity between Autodesk 2011 products (click the link if you missed this!) http://www.technology4design.com/?p=805. To further expand on this I wanted to take a look at the adsk file transfer from Inventor 2011 to Revit MEP 2011. The model below has been designed within Inventor and contains a huge number of components (2740 parts!) with a high level of detail. This is great for digital prototyping and manufacture but not so good for AutoCAD and Revit MEP as the model would be far too complex.

The first stage is to run the Inventor assembly through the shrinkwrap process. This will remove all components of a certain size and cap holes within the limits you specify. Inventor will then create a single part which remains linked back to the assembly so the shrinkwrapped file can update if your design changes.

Once this is done we then use the AEC Exchange tools within Inventor to prepare the model for consumption in Revit MEP. Inventor can output files to Revit Architecture, Structure and MEP and also AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP.

Within the AEC Exchange tools you define your various connectors such as pipe, duct, Cable tray etc. You also specify the component type and information that you want to transfer to Revit MEP.

The model is then transfered as an adsk file. Notice that all the materials have been mapped from Inventor to Revit using the new Autodesk Materials library. I have then used the compoent tool in Revit MEP to place the Chiller on the Roof as shown below. This is an exciting workflow which will enable manufactures to publish models quickly and effectively and start to create a large library of up to date equipment for Revit and AutoCAD MEP.

The next blog will outline transfers to Civil3D.

Lawrence

Over the last few years, Autodesk have been developing cross platform interoperability between a number of their products for the transfer of intelligent data that spans a number of traditional Autodesk ‘silos’ that are made up of 5 divisions, the Manufacturing Solutions Division (MSD), The Infrastructure Solutions Division (ISD), the Building Solutions Division (BSD) and the Media and Entertainment Division (M&E) and finally the Platform Technology Division (PTD) which looks after AutoCAD, the base for many Autodesk Vertical Applications. Whilst this may be a convenient business model for Autodesk it does not lend itself to the many design consultants and industries that depend on the need to transfer intelligent data between the various products.

A good example of the above are the many manufacturing companies using Autodesk Inventor to create digital prototypes of products that are destined for use within the construction industry. Many of our customers are utilising the parametric technology of Autodesk Inventor to create digital models of bridges and tunnels which ultimately need to reside in Civil3D or Revit Structure for coordination with terrain models and then on to 3DS Max to create realistic visual outputs. Other examples are Building services equipment such as Air handling units, or architectural items such as cladding, doors, windows etc.

Autodesk have been hard at work developing the interoperability between various platforms and have some new additions lurking within the 2011 products.

One new workflow is the intelligent transfer between Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis.

A frame can be created within Autodesk Inventor and then analysed within the Inventor Frame Analysis environment. Rigid links and boundary conditions can be added as well as some basic loading. You can then Publish the Structural model using the Export command and then transfer the Model to Robot Structural Analysis. The Member type, size and loading are transferred as well as the rigid links and boundary conditions.

The frame can then be transferred directly to Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis for a complete structural analysis and integration with larger framing systems or Revit Structure 2011 if needed.

My next Blog will outline the extensions to the .adsk file transfer and the common materials library that most Autodesk 2011 3D products are now utilising. Here is the link: http://www.technology4design.com/?p=847

LawrenceH