Inventor Topix

Autodesk Product Design Suite 2013

2012-03-08T15:20:00.000-06:00

Autodesk is releasing information about their new lineup for Product Design Suite 2013. There are some things changing in what is included in each of the packages.

Here is what the NEW Product Design Suites for 2013 will look like:

Product Design Suite Standard	Autodesk Inventor-New AutoCAD Mechanical Autodesk Showcase Autodesk Sketchbook Designer Autodesk Mudbox AutoCAD Autodesk Vault
Product Design Suite Premium	Autodesk Inventor Routed Systems-New AutoCAD Electrical-NewAutodesk Navisworks Simulate-New Autodesk 3ds Max Design AutoCAD Mechanical Autodesk Showcase Autodesk Sketchbook Designer Autodesk Mudbox Autodesk Vault
Product Design Suite Ultimate	Autodesk Inventor Professional AutoCAD Electrical-NewAutodesk Navisworks Simulate-New Autodesk 3ds Max Design Autodesk Alias Design AutoCAD Mechanical Autodesk Showcase Autodesk Sketchbook Designer Autodesk Mudbox Autodesk Vault

The only thing I wish they would have included would be Inventor Publisher in the Ultimate Suite.

Here is the link explaining in more detail: www.autodesk.com/more3dnow

Inventor of the Year - 2011

2012-03-08T08:07:00.000-06:00

Autodesk has named Green Structures as the Autodesk Inventor of the Year for 2011 for developing the Ventive energy-efficiency system that is ideal for building retrofits.

Members of the Autodesk manufacturing community from around the world chose the U.K.-based company by voting on the community website. Green Structures uses Autodesk Inventor software and a range of other Autodesk Digital Prototyping solutions to transform the way energy systems are planned, designed, constructed, maintained and operated within the built environment. The company was originally named Autodesk Inventor of the Month - December 2011.

As a member of the Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program, an initiative that provides Autodesk Digital Prototyping software to emerging and established clean tech companies, Green Structures is an innovator in passive heat recovery ventilation and thermal energy storage systems.

The firm’s Ventive heat recovery ventilation system works with existing chimneys to channel air and heat. This system contrasts with current mechanical heat recovery ventilation systems, which require that complex ductwork be installed throughout an entire building. Ventive can be installed in less than 30 minutes, providing a far faster and less expensive alternative for retrofitting buildings with the latest green technologies.

Here is the Press Release

Congratulations Green Structures.

Autodesk Virtual Event - March 29

2012-03-05T08:00:00.000-06:00

It is about that time of year again for Autodesk to showcase the newest releases of alot of their software from AutoCAD and Inventor to all of the Product Suites that are available. Autodesk is having a Virtual Event on March 29th from 9:00 a.m. PT to 1:00 p.m. PT. It is probably an event that you won't want to miss if you want to find out what some of the new features are for the 2013 release of products.

You can register for the event at the link below.

Autodesk Virtual Event - Lead the Way

AutoCAD 2013 System Requirements

2012-03-02T14:00:00.000-06:00

Usually something that is always a hot topic when a new release comes out is: What are the system requirements? As long as they are the same as what the requirements are for Japan then this is what they will be for the US also. Here they are, listed below.

Here is the last post about AutoCAD 2013

32-bit Version

OS
- Windows 7 Enterprise, Ultimate, Professional, and Home Premium. Windows XP Professional and Home, SP3 or later
Browser
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 or later
CPU
- SSE2 support using Windows 7: Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon 3.0 GHz dual core
- SSE2 capable of using Windows XP: Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon 1.6 GHz dual core
Memory
- 2 GB (4GB recommended)
Display
- 1024 x 768 True Color (1600 x 1050 or more recommended)
Free Disk Space
- 6.0 GB during the installation
Peripheral Equipment
- Microsoft mouse or compatible pointing device
Installation media
- DVD or download
.NET Framework
- .NET Framework Version 4.0 Update 1

64-bit Version

OS
- Windows 7 Enterprise, Ultimate, Professional, and Home Premium 64-bit. Windows XP Professional x64 SP2
Browser
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 or later
CPU
- Intel Xeon or Pentium 4 EM64T, AMD Athlon 64, Opteron, SSE2 support
Memory
- 2 GB (4GB recommended)
Display
- 1024 x 768 True Color (1600 x 1050 or more recommended)
Free Disk Space
- 6.0 GB during the installation
Peripheral Equipment
- Microsoft mouse or compatible pointing device
Installation media
- DVD or download
.NET Framework
- .NET Framework Version 4.0 Update 1

Using 3D Features 32-bit and 64-bit

CPU
- Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon 3.0 GHz or higher
- Intel or AMD 2.0 GHz dual-core
Memory
- 4 GB or more
Display
- 1280 x 1024 True color video display adapter
Graphics card
- Workstation class 128MB memory implementation, Certified graphics card Direct 3D-enabled, Pixel Shader 3.0 or higher
Free Disk Space
- 6.0 GB during the installation and separate

Inventor Fusion for the Mac - Part 3

2012-03-01T08:00:00.000-06:00

There has been quite a bit of activity over on the Facebook page for Inventor Fusion. The most recent news is they showed the splash screen for Inventor Fusion Technology for Mac.

They also included another picture of Inventor Fusion for Mac in action.

They also loaded two new videos onto their Facebook page also. The first has to do with a 3DConnexion device in action with Inventor Fusion for Mac. The second is Part 6 in a series in showing the functionality of Inventor Fusion for Mac.

3DConnexion support in action with Inventor Fusion for Mac

Inventor Fusion Technology for Mac - Part 6, More Part Modeling

Hopefully my next update on this will be on release day and have some more to share with you.

Here are also the other posts that I have done about Inventor Fusion for Mac

Inventor Fusion for Mac - Part 2
Inventor Fusion Coming to the Mac

Image Credit: Autodesk

Inventor of the Month - February 2012

2012-02-29T08:30:00.000-06:00

Autodesk has named 4th Dimensional Facade Solutions, a New Zealand-based design and build company, as the Autodesk Inventor of the Month for February 2012. The company was recognized for its use of Autodesk Inventor software to create stunning facades for a series of projects with unique physical and environmental challenges, as well as highly complex design and build procedures.

The company’s assignments include a cafe that sits on the edge of a mountain, 6,000 feet above sea level; a Moroccan-style restaurant with an elaborate operable window system; and a stunning vacation home called Jagged Edge, where each facade on the structure is rhombus-shaped, and contains no 90-degree angles.

Using Autodesk Inventor enabled 4th Dimensional Facade Solutions to streamline its design workflow and, in the company’s estimation, effectively eliminate 10,000 hours of designing and physical labor, an approximate savings of NZD$775,000 (US$830,000) across the three particularly challenging projects mentioned above.

In the design phase, 4th Dimensional Facade Solutions used Autodesk Inventor to create 3D Digital Prototypes of the facades. By simulating and validating the accuracy of its designs, the company was able to more confidently order the exact amount of premeasured materials from overseas manufacturers required to construct the facades.

The interoperability of Autodesk’s products ensured that the company was able to work smoothly across AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit and Autodesk Inventor software and effectively collaborate with architects, engineers and other partners during the build phase—helping to minimize on-site errors.

Inventor of the Month - February 2012 Official Press Release

Image Credits: Autodesk

AutoCAD 2013 - What's New - Released in Japan

2012-02-24T08:22:00.001-06:00

AutoCAD 2013 was released in Japan this week and we can start talking about a few things for What's New in this release.

Cross section and details view
Easily accessible tools for creating the cross-section and detailed view layout drawing of the model for the new tab. Full, half, select General section method, such as alignment and offset. Specifies a circular or rectangular boundary in the details view. Even change the layout or model, maintain integrity line segments cross section and details of the boundary is constrained key points of view in the drawing. Maintain the integrity of the multiple sectional and detail view using the view styles that can be customized.

Strikethrough
"Strikethrough" style added newly to the multimedia text, multileader (mleader), dimension, table, ArcText and increased flexibility in the representation of characters in the document.

Latest user templates
AutoCAD 2013 release updated templates to suit user needs. Adding, adding a new title blocks,
hatch patterns related to text, dimension, table, multileader styles.

Autodesk Cloud connection
Autodesk Cloud with synchronizing files by the close connection. Synchronization with online account folder and drawings, AutoCAD from directly. Export file and attachment directly to the common sign-on account and you can share files with other users via the Autodesk online account.

Customization and support file synchronization
When you migrate a machine to another machine, you can easily AutoCAD customization settings and support for file sharing and access.

Social media sharing
Share AutoCAD design to social Facebook and Twitter connection features built-in.

Autodesk Exchange AutoCAD application
Power of AutoCAD to AutoCAD related applications created by members of the ADN(Autodesk Developer Network), can be easily extended. Now to obtain the necessary add-in. Choose from a rich extension to connect to access, screening of Autodesk.

Contextual boundaries stretch tool
Now the boundary stretching tools even more flexible situation-based tool. Boundary stretching tool offset and extrude the curve and create solids and surfaces. New multiple options of boundary-stretching tool you can select multiple objects one time boundaries stretch operation.

Inventor file import
Autodesk Inventor allowing validation, model Fusion to AutoCAD 3D concept design features, from nearly any source editing flexibility. You can edit without decomposing solid CAD block interoperability enhancements.

Extract the terms splitter
Extraction tool extracts the terms splitter new surface split line passing through a point on a surface or solid surface.

Latest user operations
AutoCAD user interface was enhanced to enable a seamless interaction with the software. Less
cumbersome operation, command line flexibility and contextual Ribbon tab has been added.
Multifunctional grip also can manipulate many objects. Users save time by operation is streamlined
with powerful tools such as hatching and automatic adjustment array copy, you can focus on design.

Preview of the Edit properties
Apply the preview changes to object properties dynamically. For example, color, move the cursor over each color in the list just select the object and trying to change the color using the Properties palette, the selected object changes soon.

Change the viewport preview
Moving the cursor on each item dynamically preview the changes in the viewport display. For example, simply moving the cursor on each option in the display style list, and the display style for each result displays immediately drawing.

Migration tools to AutoCAD 2013
In addition to migrate a customized environment of previous versions, reset the environment features have been added. Also added ability to transition the tool palette, AutoCAD 2012 earlier custom materials. Migration, you can migrate easily to AutoCAD 2013.

Here are just some of the new features that are in the AutoCAD 2013 release. To find out more later on, keep an eye on Lynn Allen's Blog

Image Credits: Autodesk

AutoCAD WS for Iphone, Ipod Touch, Ipad & Android Updated to Version 1.4

2012-02-21T08:00:00.000-06:00

AutoCAD WS for the Iphone, Ipod Touch, Ipad & Android has been updated to Version 1.4.

You can go to the Apple Website to get it downloaded - AutoCAD WS Apple, also the Android Market. You can go to the AutoCAD WS website to learn more about it - AutoCAD WS. You can also check it out on their YouTube channel at Autodesk AutoCAD WS YouTube.

Here is What's New in Version 1.4:

3D interactive viewing - view and share 3D drawings on mobile devices
GPS geo-location features - orient yourself within a drawing, and share/save comments to geographic locations
Plot to Print - print remotely from within the app using HP’s ePrint & Share service
Plot your designs to PDF or DWF and share them via email

Here are some YouTube videos showing the functionality shown at Autodesk University 2011.

AutoCAD WS in 3D

Using GPS with AutoCAD WS

Plot from you Mobile using AutoCAD WS

AutoCAD What's New Features Image Credits: AutoCAD WS Blog

Inventor Fusion for the Mac - Part 2 - Updated Again

2012-02-13T09:00:00.000-06:00

Just a quick heads up, Autodesk added another video about Inventor Fusion for the Mac on their Facebook page. This one is Part 5 and is associated with "Workspaces, Toolbar and Marking Menu". Here is the link to their Facebook page. Inventor Fusion on Facebook

Here is a link back to the original post.

Inventor Fusion for Mac - Part 2 - Updated

Autodesk Wants Your Feedback - Inventor User Interface

2012-02-09T09:02:00.001-06:00

Autodesk is asking for some feedback on the recent changes that they have done to the User Interface(UI). Love it or hate it, I think it is here to stay. The changes that they are interested in are the Ribbon, Mini-Toolbars and the most recent addition the radial Marking Menu.

So, if you want to voice your opinion about the UI changes over the past few years, good or bad, here is you chance, so click the link below.

Survey

Vote Now for 2011 Inventor of the Year

2012-02-01T08:00:00.000-06:00

Every month Autodesk gives out an Inventor of the Month award, now is the time to choose from those winners and decide who the 2011 Inventor of the Year award goes to, and you get to help make that decision.

The Autodesk Inventor of the Month program recognizes the most innovative design and engineering advancements made among the hundreds of thousands of advancements users make using Autodesk Inventor software

If you want to vote for the 2011 Inventor of the Year go to the following link: Vote Here Now

Voting is under way and closes Feb. 29 at 5 p.m. Pacific time.

You can learn about each of the nominees by following the link for each month.

January 2011: Valiant Corporation, a global provider of manufacturing solutions, uses the advanced dynamic simulation functionality in Autodesk Inventor to increase load capacity while reducing costs, and to minimize design weight while meeting customer performance requirements. In a recent project for The Boeing Company, Valiant designed and engineered a portable cargo loader 30 percent more efficiently.

February 2011: Nitto Sangyo, a Japanese playground equipment manufacturer, uses Autodesk Inventor to develop Link Mini rocking toys. The toys are designed to be safer and more durable than standard commercial playground equipment. Eliminating reliance on physical prototyping shortened Link Mini development time by almost two months, reducing overall costs by nearly US$6,000 (500,000 yen) per product.

March 2011: Weatherhaven, provides portable shelters, camps and systems for remote sites around the world. Using Digital Prototyping in Autodesk Inventor, Weatherhaven has significantly shortened product development time from concept to manufacturing, while reduced the number of more expensive physical prototypes typically necessary to explore and validate designs.

April 2011: Federal Equipment Company, a supplier of specialized military replacement parts,used Autodesk Inventor to design an advanced elevator system for the U.S. Navy. The new system enables efficient transport of munitions on board new aircraft carriers. Testing is costly, but with the help of Autodesk software, FEC can simulate the elevator’s shock response in just one $400,000 test, enabling the company to quickly identify and fix potential problems and avoid often costly retesting.

May 2011: Hawkes Ocean Technologies, (HOT) designs and builds manned and remote vehicles for deep-ocean exploration. Autodesk Inventor enables HOT to create entirely new ideas and change the way submersibles operate, transforming them from “underwater balloons” to underwater crafts capable of flight.

June 2011: Carousel Works, is the world’s largest manufacturer of custom wooden carousels for zoos, parks and the world’s largest cruise ships, including Royal Caribbean’s “Oasis of the Seas” and “Allure of the Seas.” With Autodesk Inventor, Carousel Works marries old-world craftsmanship with 3D design, and creates its custom wooden carousels up to 50 percent faster.

July 2011: Pankl Aerospace Systems, uses Autodesk Inventor LT software to more effectively manufacture helicopter rotary systems, increasing the performance and reliability of critical components, while significantly improving pilot and passenger safety. Autodesk software helps Pankl save time, reduce manufacturing costs and increase customer quality, all while operating at optimal performance.

August 2011: Illini Prosthetic Technologies, a nonprofit organization, uses Autodesk Inventor to develop more affordable and more easily fitted prosthetic arms for below-elbow amputees in developing nations. Digitally exploring and refining its ideas, IPT provides access to affordable prosthetic care, helping amputees around the world regain use of their limbs, return to work and better care for themselves and their families.

September 2011: PMB Façade, a Malaysia-based company, uses Autodesk Inventor to develop architectural façades for some of the world’s most astonishing buildings, including Qatar’s 43-story Al-Bidda Tower, also known as Tornado Tower. The ability to digitally simulate and predict real-world performance before construction has helped PMB Façade reduce material cost and waste by as much as 15 percent, and deliver projects up to 30 percent faster.

October 2011: Kelly Racing, an Australia-based racing team, uses Autodesk Inventor to precisely design and validate new car components that give the team a racing edge. After a race weekend, designers modify existing car parts with Inventor, increasing traction and grip by as much as 8 percent, which leads to faster lap times and increased performance.

November 2011: A-dec, a leading manufacturer of dental chairs and equipment, uses Autodesk Inventor to more effectively design and develop products, cutting time to market. A-dec also uses Autodesk software to generate user manuals and service guides for its popular dentistry products, enhancing usability and reducing translation costs.

December 2011: Green Structures, a UK-based clean technology company, uses Autodesk Inventor and a range of other Autodesk Digital Prototyping technology to create award-winning energy-efficiency systems. The firm’s latest innovation, a heat recovery ventilation system called Ventive, provides a faster and less expensive alternative for retrofitting buildings with the latest green technologies.

Inventor of the Month - January 2012

2012-01-31T07:49:00.001-06:00

Autodesk has named Tolar Manufacturing, a California-based manufacturer of transit shelters, street furniture and advertising kiosks, as the Autodesk Inventor of the Month for January 2012. Tolar was recognized for its use of Autodesk software in creating custom products tailored to the needs of municipalities throughout North America.

Tolar offers more than 500 shelter types within the company’s four main product lines, each designed and engineered to be long-lasting, attractive and environmentally friendly. This includes complying with a wide range of building code requirements across North America and community design requirements from economical transit shelters to high volume bus rapid transit facilities.

Tolar has significantly expanded its Digital Prototyping portfolio in recent years and now relies on Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Inventor Publisher, Autodesk Showcase and Autodesk Vault software.

On a typical project, Tolar begins by creating 3D models of the proposed shelter using Inventor software. To further communicate design intent to customers, Tolar can create a near-photorealistic image of the model in Showcase software, and then superimpose it over an actual streetscape from the customer’s town, enabling customers to see exactly what Tolar’s product will look like when installed in the community.

Next, the Inventor manufacturing models are used to fabricate the multiple components that make up the shelter. These models provide clear, concise and comprehensive communications, resulting in fewer errors on the shop floor.

Additionally, Tolar uses Vault software to centrally store and manage its digital data, making it easier for the company to access and reuse drawings of specific parts for multiple projects rather than having to start each time from scratch - significantly reducing project turnaround time. Tolar also uses Inventor Publisher software to create installation instructions for customers.

Tolar Manufacturing

Inventor of the Month - January 2012 Official Press Release

Here is the YouTube video about Tolar Manufacturing.

Image Credits: Tolar Manufacturing.

Inventor Fusion for the Mac - Part 2 - Updated.

2012-01-30T07:46:00.000-06:00

Just to let everybody know, Autodesk added another video about Inventor Fusion for the Mac on their Facebook page. This one is Part 4 and is associated with "Joints and Manual Joint Connections"

Here is a link back to the original post that has the updated video.

Inventor Fusion for Mac - Part 2 - Updated

All Autodesk Apps in One Place

2012-01-26T08:00:00.000-06:00

If you own any type of Apple mobile device or Android mobile device, now there is one place that you can see all the Apps that Autodesk has available on the Apple App Store and also the Android Marketplace. Also, unlike some apps from other companies, most of these apps are Free and the ones that do have a cost, they are the same price at both the Apple and Android stores. Now the only thing left to do is start getting some of these apps onto the Windows Phone Marketplace.

Autodesk Apps

Previous posts about Android and Apple Apps.

Inventor Fusion for Mac - Part 2

2012-01-24T08:45:00.000-06:00

Imagine this except it says for the Mac

At the end of November, early December at Autodesk University 2011 in Las Vegas, Autodesk gave everybody a sneak peek at Inventor Fusion Coming to the Mac. At the time they said to keep an eye out on their Inventor Fusion Facebook page for updates. Within the last week they finally gave us some more info and some new videos to watch.

A few of the questions that were asked were what are the system requirements? Answer: If you are running Snow Leapord or Lion you are ready. Also, Inventor Fusion for Mac Technology is a native 64-bit app so having more memory in your Mac the better.

Included below are videos from the Inventor Fusion Facebook page.

Fusion for Mac - Part 1, simple part modeling

Fusion for Mac - Part 2, Simple View Settings and Effects

Fusion for Mac - Part 3, Inventor Import

Fusion for Mac Part 4 - Joints and manual joint connections

More news about this Technology Preview hopefully coming at a later date. When I get more news I will upate in a Part 3 or possibly a Part 4.

Here is a link to the original post I did on November 30, 2011: Inventor Fusion Coming to the Mac

Tip #6 - Autodesk Inventor 2012 – Sheet Metal Flanges Offsets

2012-01-17T08:00:00.000-06:00

Here I am going to show how to use on sheet metal flange command but have two different flange offsets.

Here you can start the flange command and select the two flanges that you want to create. You will notice the Glyphs that are in the middle of the flanges. Here is where you can change the style of flanges that these are.

Select the Glyph and a Bend Edit dialog comes up. Select whether it will be a Width, Offset or From To flange, in this example I am using the Offset flange. You can select each flange Glyph and change how much offset you have on each one. Here is the end result, one flange has a 1” offset and the other has a 1-1/2” offset.

I am also including a video to show how it is done.

Different Ways to Follow Inventor Topix

2012-01-04T07:05:00.001-06:00

Starting out with 2012 I am going to show the many ways that you can follow Inventor Topix either on the Internet, Tablet device of a Smartphone.

The first way is of course checking the website for periodic updates. This way is fine but may miss a post every now and then. The following ways you get updated regularly and can then click on links provided and get the full post on what is happening at Inventor Topix. Hope to talk to some new people soon.

You can follow me using an RSS Reader:
feeds.feedburner.com/InventorTopix

You can follow me on Twitter:
twitter.com/InventorTopixJD

You can follow me on Google+:
Google+/InventorTopix

You can follow me on YouTube:
YouTube/InventorTopix

You can follow me on Facebook:
Facebook/InventorTopix

You can follow me using Google Currents, available on iOS and Android devices:
To get this download the App and do a search for Inventor Topix.

If you have another way that you would like to follow Inventor Topix that I don't already have listed, let me know in the comments below and I will see what I can do.

Inventor of the Month–December 2011

2011-12-22T10:30:00.000-06:00

Autodesk has named UK-based Green Structures as the Autodesk Inventor of the Month for December 2011. Their use of Autodesk Inventor software and a range of other Autodesk Digital Prototyping technology in transforming the way energy systems are planned, designed, constructed, maintained and operated within the built environment.

As a member of the Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program - an initiative that provides Autodesk Digital Prototyping software to emerging and established clean tech companies for a small fee - Green Structures has rapidly created award-winning energy efficiency systems, particularly in the areas known as passive heat recovery ventilation and thermal energy storage.

The firm’s latest innovation, a heat recovery ventilation system called Ventive, works with existing chimneys to channel air and heat. This system contrasts with current mechanical heat recovery ventilation systems, which require that complex ductwork be installed throughout an entire building. Ventive can be installed in less than 30 minutes, providing a far faster and less expensive alternative for retrofitting buildings with the latest green technologies.

With help from the Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program, Green Structures was able to upgrade its design capabilities to include Autodesk Inventor, as well as Autodesk Ecotect Analysis software, Autodesk Simulation Multiphysics software and Autodesk Revit Architecture software. Access to Autodesk Digital Prototyping technology provided a more controlled environment to test designs, helping to make the design process less costly, faster and with less guesswork.

Green Structures

Inventor of the Month – December 2011 Official Press Release

Autodesk Acquires T-Splines Modeling Technology Assets

2011-12-22T08:08:00.000-06:00

Autodesk has acquired certain technology-related assets from T-Splines Inc., a privately-held surface modeling software company, based in Utah.

“The technology acquisition will strengthen our Digital Prototyping portfolio with more flexible free-form modeling and will help achieve even closer integration between industrial design and engineering workflows,” said Buzz Kross, senior vice president, Manufacturing Industry at Autodesk. “T-Splines technology will benefit designers and engineers that require watertight surfaces for downstream analysis and manufacturing.”

The capabilities that this software can do is awesome. I can’t wait to see what they integrate it into to, hopefully Inventor gets an upgrade to their surfacing capabilities.

Here is the Official Press Release

T-Splines

3Dconnexion Announces New Product

2011-12-01T09:00:00.000-06:00

At Autodesk University 2011, 3Dconnexion has announced a new product in their lineup. SpaceMouse Pro is the latest addition to 3Dconnexion’s line of professional 3D mice. It features a full size, soft coated hand rest and 15 large, fully programmable function keys for access to application commands, standard views and keyboard modifiers while a convenient On-screen Display provides visual support.

It is currently available at a suggested retail price of $299.

Listed below are the key points of the new SpaceMouse Pro:

Intuitive 3D Navigation
Like all 3Dconnexion 3D mice, SpaceMouse Pro features the patented 3Dconnexion 6-Degrees-of-Freedom (6DoF) sensor that enables you to easily navigate digital models or camera positions in 3D space. Simply push, pull, twist or tilt the 3Dconnexion controller cap to pan, zoom and rotate your model or camera precisely and intuitively.

QuickView Keys
SpaceMouse Pro’s QuickView Keys provide fingertip access to 12 views, making it easier to detect errors, explore alternatives and present your work more effectively for review.
The rotation toggle key disables the rotation axes, providing simultaneous pan-and-zoom navigation in work modes such as sketching.

Advanced Ergonomic Design
The full size, soft-coated hand rest ensures maximum comfort by positioning the hand perfectly for the 3Dconnexion controller cap.
Every one of SpaceMouse Pro’s 15 tactile, fully programmable buttons are conveniently positioned, allowing you to access frequently used commands and work more efficiently.

Intelligent Function Keys
SpaceMouse Pro automatically recognizes your application environment and assigns appropriate commands to four large, soft touch Intelligent Function Keys.

On-Screen Display
The On-screen Display provides a convenient visual reminder of the commands assigned to the Intelligent Function Keys, on your computer screen, enabling you to stay focused.

Keyboard Modifiers
SpaceMouse Pro Keyboard Modifiers provide easy access to Control, Shift, Alt, Esc functions, saving you time by reducing the need to move your hand to the keyboard.

Virtual NumPad
Save time and maintain focus by using SpaceMouse Pro’s Virtual NumPad to input numerical data in to your application using the standard mouse instead of your keyboard.

Inventor of the Month - November 2011

2011-12-01T07:30:00.000-06:00

Autodesk has named A-dec, Inc. as the Autodesk Inventor of the Month for November 2011. A-dec, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of dental chairs and equipment is recognized for its use of Autodesk software to more effectively design and develop products and generate technical documentation, such as user manuals and service guides, for its popular dentistry products.

To design new products and help ensure all parts operate smoothly within a dental system, A-dec relies on Autodesk Inventor Digital Prototyping software that allows the company to validate product designs prior to physical prototyping, integrate system components easily with the use of assembly simulations and cut time to market significantly.

Using Inventor software, A-dec engineers can bring innovative ideas to life in a 3D model. And given the complex and integrative nature of A-dec’s dental equipment, Inventor helps engineers quickly determine whether and how one component will work within the greater equipment system. For example, before a single part is manufactured, engineers can look at digital prototypes of entire assemblies and systems to help ensure all parts connect and move smoothly.

A-dec, Inc.

Inventor of the Month - November 2011 Official Press Release

Autodesk Manufacturing Community Achievement Award Winner

2011-11-30T05:44:00.000-06:00

At Autodesk University 2011 they awarded the Autodesk Manufacturing Community Achievement Award Winner to Sean Dotson. Sean is the President and co-owner of RND Automation & Engineering, he is also the man behind the scenes at mCADForums.com. His company also received the award as being the Inventor of the Month for March of 2010 and then received the Inventor of the Year for 2010. His continued dedication and hard work to the Inventor community is much appreciated. I have learned many things from him over the years.

Congratulation Sean.

Inventor Fusion Coming to the Mac

2011-11-30T05:19:00.000-06:00

Autodesk just released information yesterday at Autodesk University 2011 about the next product to be redesigned for the Mac, Inventor Fusion. This is not a Windows application that is just ported through parrallels or Bootcamp, this is a full blown Native Mac application.

Autodesk Inventor Fusion is 3D modeling software that showcases intuitive direct manipulation capabilities for unrivaled ease of use. By uniting direct modeling and parametric workflows, Inventor Fusion offers the best of both worlds. Designers can freely explore complex shapes and forms while maintaining the underlying parametric history. Inventor Fusion makes it easy to open and edit 3D models from almost any source and incorporate them into your design, enabling rapid design changes without limitations.

Here is a teaser video for Inventor Fusion for Mac.

Inventor Fusion 2012 SP3

2011-11-14T08:20:00.000-06:00

Autodesk released Service Pack 3 for Inventor Fusion 2012. So, if you are having issues with Inventor Fusion 2012, go and download Service Pack 3 and see if it helps things a little bit.

Inventor Fusion Service Pack 3 32-bit

Inventor Fusion Service Pack 3 64-bit

Here are some of the issues addressed by the Service Pack 3:

3D Annotation

Crash if the face that a 3DA resides on is removed by a modeling operation.

Interoperability with Companion Products

AutoCAD

Inventor Fusion may hang/crash when copying a large number of AutoCAD 2D geometries to 2D Sketch.
The result of inserting two or more Inventor Fusion DWG files into AutoCAD may be incorrect.
Incorrect results may occur when copying a spline in AutoCAD and pasting it into a 2D Sketch of Inventor Fusion, if the spline was originally exported from SketchBookDesigner.

Modeling

CER: Inventor Fusion crashes when hovering over the edge of the hole after changing the counterbore diameter to be less than the hole diameter.

Sketch

Inventor Fusion will crash if "Ctrl + V" is pressed while creating sketch objects, if the clipboard is empty.

Translator

Catia

Spurious surface will be created when import Catia V5 file with solid.

Pro/E

Inventor Fusion may crash when opening Pro/E assembly file with multiple parts.
Model will be 10x enlarged if importing Pro/E model to Inventor Fusion.

Solidworks

Solidworks 2011 files are not supported.

STEP

CER: Crash when opening STEP file in localized version of Inventor Fusion.

CER: Inventor Fusion crashes when entering a value for Extrude in Ribbon, then pressing and releasing the Shift key.
"Show Hide" and "Isolate" in graphic context menu will not work if multiple components are selected.

Updated Autodesk Labs - Launchpad for Autodesk Product Design Suite

2011-11-09T07:45:00.000-06:00

The Autodesk Labs project called Launchpad for Autodesk Product Design Suite has been updated.
Here is the original post that I did on LaunchPad Technology Preview.

It can be download from here. LaunchPad Technology Preview

Also, here is another write-up about the update from Steve Bedder:
Autodesk Manufacturing Blog

Following are the updates:

Inventor Template Options: Users can set the default part, assembly, and drawing templates that are used for Inventor-related workflows.
Inventor Project Support: Users can set the Inventor Project file when they start an Inventor-related workflow.
Scalable Desktop Icon: The LaunchPad desktop icon is now scalable to accommodate different screen configurations.
New One-click Workflows: With this update, the LaunchPad offers two sets of one-click workflows, each supporting different industry design tasks.

Machine Design: For users who typically work with a variety of 2D and 3D data to design, engineer, analyze, and simulate machines.
Plastic Part Design: For users who need to transform concept designs and styled surface models of molded plastic parts into engineered, manufacture-ready solid models.

The following NEW Plastic Part Design workflows are available in this technology preview update:

Concept Sketching	Capture your product and graphic concepts using Sketchbook Designer. Sketchbook combines vector and raster workflows to provide an effective way to communicate design ideas. Start a blank sketch or import raster or AutoCAD DWG data.
Styling	Import an Inventor model or other 3D model into Alisa Design to use as reference data for technical surfaces. The selected model is loaded into Alias Design where you can use it to build your surface data.
Design Engineering	Import Alias wire data into Inventor to transform your technical surface data into manufacture-ready solid models. Associativity is maintained so that changes to the Alias .wire file are consumed by Inventor.
Materials Selection Analysis	The selected 3D model is loaded into Inventor with the ECO Materials Adviser active. The ECO Materials Adviser evaluates environmental impact of you material selections allowing you to make informed decisions.
Stress Analysis	The Inventor Stress Analysis environment simulates the structural behavior of your 3D model under specified loads and conditions. The selected Inventor part or assembly is loaded into the Stress Analysis environment where you can add loads and conditions to define the simulation.
Technical Drawings	Create 2D documentation of your 3D models in Inventor. The selected part, assembly, or presentation file is used to automatically create the first view of the drawing. You can customize the scale, orientation, line options, or other settings before committing the view.
Explore Design Alternatives	Transform your 3D model into highly realistic imagery or perform an interactive presentation using Showcase. The selected part or assembly is loaded into Showcase. You can create design alternatives, configure lights and materials, then render the environment or use Showcase as a presentation environment.
Photorealistic Rendering	Create a photorealistic rendering or animation of your 3D model in 3ds Max Design. The selected Inventor part or assembly is loaded into 3ds Max Design. You can then configure lights, materials, cameras, and other environment settings for your rendering or animation.