04/03/00 Design News
FEATURED PRODUCT
Inventor's new release eases design
process
By Benjamin B. Ames, Associate Editor
The Release 2 version of Autodesk InventorT shipped
in mid-March, adding web-enabled virtual meeting capability
to the 3D solid modeling program's trademark "adaptive
technology."
The latest changes allow designers to take advantage
of four trends in 3D modeling: a more intuitive user
interface allows engineers of various experience levels
to be trained on it; Design Doctor and Design Professor
functions ease training and interoperability; web-enabled
functions permit collaborative design; and a parts catalog
speeds design through re-use of standard fasteners.
While these are hardly unique features in the CAD market,
Inventor R2 is the only program to pull web-enabling,
new applications, and "adaptive technology" together
in one package, says Autodesk's Robert L. Kross, vice
president, mechanical. In response, programs like SolidWorks
tout different strengths, like single-keystroke operation
and faster processing speed. But Autodesk insists its
"adaptive technology" allows the most intuitive design,
so engineers can worry about function before form, Kross
says.
With Inventor, designers can sketch simple 2D layouts
to test ideas and functionality before constructing
a full 3D model. And Inventor R2 has built-in Net Publishing,
so an engineer can publish his drawing to a web site
where he can share it with other AutoDesk users. With
the integrated Microsoftr Net Meeting, he can host an
online "conference call" from his laptop, collaborating
on new designs with other engineers. Attendees at this
meeting can view, chat and whiteboard ideas, all without
having Inventor software on their own computers.
For information on Inventor R2, contact Autodesk, 111
McInnis Pkwy., San Rafael, CA 94903; Tel. (800-964-6432);
www.autodesk.com.
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