Activity 4.1d Software Modeling Introduction
(2016)
Introduction
3D solid modeling is a powerful tool for engineers. It allows an idea to be translated
into a model that can communicate the concept, adapt to changes, and even create
a physical model with devices such as a rapid prototyper or a mill.
In this activity you will learn the basic Autodesk® Inventor® software user interface
and file management system. This orientation to the software is important to allow
efficient modeling of your ideas.
Equipment




Engineering notebook
Pencil
PC with Autodesk® Inventor® software
Autodesk® Inventor® videos
 UI Navigation 1
 UI Navigation 2
 Navigation Control
 Project Files
 Part Browser
Procedure
1. Open Autodesk® Inventor®. Explore the three Inventor® templates (environments)
represented on the opening screen by hovering over each icon.
2. Complete the following table with a description of the template and the file
extension used for each file type.
Click here:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/inventor-products/learnexplore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2014/ENU/Inventor/files/GUID-94B779C06B2B-499A-A4F9-2E4BAB49712F-htm.html
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 4.1d Software Modeling Introduction (2016) – Page 1
Inventor
Environment
File
extension
Description
Part
Assembly
Drawing
3. View the Inventor UI Navigation 1 and UI Navigation 2 video tutorials. Label the
features of the user interface on the following images.
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 4.1d Software Modeling Introduction (2016) – Page 2
4. How do you restore the browser if lost?
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 4.1d Software Modeling Introduction (2016) – Page 3
5. View the Inventor® tutorial video Part Browser. Use the following part browser
display to answer the questions that follow.
a. Which feature was likely created first, Hole 1 or Extrusion 3? How do you
know?
b. How do you share a sketch in an Inventor® part file?
c. Which sketch is shared in the part file? How do you know?
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 4.1d Software Modeling Introduction (2016) – Page 4
6. View the Inventor® tutorial Navigation Controls. Label the navigation controls in
the following image.
7. Describe the functions available with each of the following function keys.

F2 __________________________

F3 __________________________

F4 __________________________

F5 __________________________

F6 __________________________
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 4.1d Software Modeling Introduction (2016) – Page 5
8. View the Inventor® Tutorial video Project Files. Then address the following items.
a. Label the following images with the steps needed to set up a project
without Libraries.
6 steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
b. What is the active project in the following image?
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 4.1d Software Modeling Introduction (2016) – Page 6
c. How would the PLTW 1 be made the active project?
Conclusion Questions
1. Why is using the vocabulary presented in the tutorials important?
2. Why is it important to properly select the project each time a model is created?
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 4.1d Software Modeling Introduction (2016) – Page 7