Chapter 1 Introduction to Autodesk Inventor - Goodheart-Willcox

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Figure 1-15. The default display shown when you first launch Inventor includes the Open dialog box. Pick to access the New File dialog box Pick to access the Open dialog box Figure 1-16. Templates for creating new files are located in tabs along the top of the New File dialog box. New and Open options are available from the File pull-down menu Pick to begin a new file Sheet metal part This button becomes available after certain files are selected Contains templates based on choosing English or metric during program installation Contains templates based on U.S. Customary units Contains templates based on metric units Standard drawing Standard assembly Standard drawing Standard presentation Standard part Weldment (welded assembly) Chapter 1 Introduction to Autodesk Inventor 11 When AutoCAD is configured to display a screen menu, the commands appear in a separate screen. NOTE The New button on the Inventor Standard toolbar, shown in Figure 1-15, is a fl yout that contains Assembly, Drawing, Part, and Presentation options. These selections are used to quickly access a new standard part, assembly, drawing, or presentation template fi le. The templates located in the New fl yout button are those found in the Templates folder and listed in the Default tab of the New File dialog box. By default, the New File dialog box contains Default, English, and Metric tabs. On each tabbed page are Inventor template files, represented by unique icons. You can specify the Default tab as English or Metric when you install the program, based on the units you typically use. The English and Metric tabs hold templates with specific units for each Inventor file type, including ANSI in the English tab, and ANSI, BSI, DIN, GB, ISO, and JIS in the Metric tab. Sheet metal and weldment templates are also available in the New File dialog box. These templates are not actually separate file types, as indicated by the .ipt and .iam file extensions. They are template files that are preset for specific model applications. A sheet metal template automatically provides the tools used to create a sheet metal part. A weldment template offers the welding tools necessary to create a weldment. To begin a new file, double-click on the template icon. You can also pick the icon and then pick the OK button in the lower-right portion of the New File dialog box to start a new file. When AutoCAD is configured to display a screen menu, the commands appear in a separate screen. Web site NOTE The tabs and template fi les displayed in the New File dialog box are fully customizable. To specify the tabs and templates shown in the New File dialog box, use projects or create new tabs in the default template folder. Projects and templates are introduced in Chapter 2. Exercise 1-3 Access the Student Web site (www.g-wlearning.com/CAD/InventorApps2009), select Chapter 1 from the Chapter Materials drop-down list, and select and complete Exercise 1-3. Opening an Existing File Use the Open dialog box, shown in Figure 1-15, to access existing Inventor files and to import non-native CADD files into Inventor. Access the Open dialog box from the New File dialog box by picking the Open button in the Quick Start area. The Open dialog box can also be accessed by selecting the Open… option from the File pull-down menu, typing [Ctrl]+[O]; or picking the Open button on the Inventor Standard toolbar. 12 Inventor and Its Applications 2009
When AutoCAD is configured to display a screen menu, the commands appear in a separate screen. NOTE You can open existing fi les directly from Microsoft Windows Explorer, or you may be able to fi nd fi les using the quick document access area located near the bottom of the File pull-down menu. This area lists the path and fi le name of several previously used documents. The fi les are listed in the order they were opened, and each path is associated with a number. Number 1 is the most recently opened fi le. When you access the Open dialog box, the folder assigned to the active project is displayed, allowing you to quickly access files associated with the active project. However, you can navigate to any file on your computer or the network. Files do not have to be in the active project to be opened. The Open dialog box functions much like similar dialog boxes found in other Windows applications. Use the Files of type drop-down list to specify the type of files to display in the Open dialog box. Then use the Look in drop-down list, the Go To Last Folder Visited, Up One Level, Create New Folder, and View Menu buttons along the top of the dialog box, and the Preview area as needed to locate the desired file. Once you select a file, the Options... button may become available. Picking this button opens the File Open Options dialog box. The choices available in this dialog box vary depending on the selected file type. To open a file, double-click on the file icon, or pick the icon and then pick the Open button in the lower-right portion of the New File dialog box. When AutoCAD is configured to display a screen menu, the commands appear in a separate screen. Web site PROFESSIONAL TIP If you forget where an Inventor fi le has been placed, you can use the Windows search tool to fi nd it, but Inventor also has a method of fi nding fi les that may be quicker. The Inventor search tool is conveniently located in the Open dialog box. Pick the Find... button to open the Find: Inventor Files dialog box. NOTE Double-clicking on an Inventor fi le in Microsoft Windows Explorer causes Inventor to start, if it is not already running, and opens the selected fi le. Exercise 1-4 Access the Student Web site (www.g-wlearning.com/CAD/InventorApps2009), select Chapter 1 from the Chapter Materials drop-down list, and select and complete Exercise 1-4. Saving Your Work A model or drawing you want to keep must be saved. Typically, the first step in creating a model or drawing is to save the file in an appropriate location using a descriptive name or code. Then, as you work, save the file frequently; at least every five to ten minutes, in case of a sudden loss of power or a computer problem that may cause the loss of your file. Chapter 1 Introduction to Autodesk Inventor 13 Using the Save Tool A quick way to save your work is to pick the Save button on the Inventor Standard toolbar. You can also select the Save option from the File pull-down menu or type [Ctrl]+[S]. The Save tool resaves the file if it has already been saved, or opens the Save As dialog box if the file has not previously been saved. See Figure 1-17. The Save As dialog box functions much like similar dialog boxes found in other Windows applications. The file type listed in the Files of type drop-down list should be set to the current file type. Use the Look in drop-down list or the buttons along the top of the dialog box as needed to locate the file. Pick the Options... button to open the File Save Options dialog box, which controls the method of generating a preview image for the file. This image is displayed in the Preview area of the File Open dialog box. Pick the Save button to complete the save. Using the Save As Tool The Save As tool, which displays the Save As dialog box, is available by picking the Save As… option from the File pull-down menu. When you use the Save As tool, the original file closes, and the newly saved file with the specified name appears. For example, if you are working on a part named LARGE PLATE and want to use the file as a basis for a small plate design, use the Save As tool to save a copy of the part titled SMALL PLATE. The LARGE PLATE file closes and the SMALL PLATE file appears, ready for modification. You will use the Save As tool throughout the exercises and problems in this textbook to save an existing file using a different name. Using the Save Copy As Tool The Save Copy As tool is available by picking the Save Copy As… option from the File pull-down menu. Selecting this tool displays the Save Copy As dialog box, which is similar to the Save As... dialog box. When you use the Save Copy As tool, the original file does not close. The copy is saved to the specified location and does not open. Use the Save Copy As tool when you want to continue working on the original file, but make a copy as a design state backup or for use at a later time. The Save Copy As tool is also used to save an Inventor file as a non-native or alternative format, such as IGES, JPEG, or STEP. These file formats may be necessary when Figure 1-17. The Save As dialog box appears if the current file has not been saved. The list of file types is restricted to match the current type Type the new file name in this box 14 Inventor and Its Applications 2009
Page 1 and 2: This sample chapter is for review p
Page 3 and 4: Web site Exercise 1-1 Access the St
Page 5: Figure 1-12. Work features are used
Page 9 and 10: Figure 1-19. Common interface terms
Page 11 and 12: Using the Panel Bar The panel bar,
Page 13 and 14: Web site Supplemental Material Feat
Page 15 and 16: Figure 1-33. The Autodesk Inventor

Chapter 1 Introduction to Autodesk Inventor - Goodheart-Willcox

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