Chapter 1 Introduction to Autodesk Inventor - Goodheart-Willcox

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