Activity 4.1 Software Modeling Introduction
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
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Engineering notebook
Pencil
PC with Autodesk Inventor Software
Procedure
1. View the Autodesk Inventor Tutorials, UI Navigation 1 and UI Navigation 2.
2. Open Autodesk Inventor. Explore the three Inventor templates (environments)
represented on the opening screen by hovering over each icon.
3. Complete the table below with a description of the template and the file extension
used for each file type.
Inventor File Type and Description
Icon
File
Extension
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Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 4.1d Software Modeling Introduction – Page 1
4. Identify the features of the user interface numbered in the image below.
5. Identify the features of the user interface numbered in the image.
6. How do you restore the browser if lost?
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Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 4.1d Software Modeling Introduction – Page 2
7. View the Inventor tutorial video Part Browser. Use the part browser display below 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?
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8. View the Inventor tutorial Navigation Controls. Label the navigation controls in the
image below.
9. Describe the functions available with each of the following function keys.
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F2 __________________________
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F3 __________________________
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F4 __________________________
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F5 __________________________
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F6 __________________________
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Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 4.1d Software Modeling Introduction – Page 4
10. View the Inventor Tutorial video Project Files and then address the items below.
a. Label the images below with the steps needed to set up a project without
Libraries.
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b. What is the active project in the image below?
c. How would the PLTW Project 3 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?
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Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 4.1d Software Modeling Introduction – Page 6