Chapter 1 Introduction to Autodesk Inventor - Goodheart-Willcox

More documents

Recommendations

Info

you are collaborating with others or when you need to create an image from what is shown on-screen. Savable file formats are available from the Save as type drop-down list in the Save Copy As dialog box. Closing a File One of the quickest methods of closing a file, without ending the Inventor session, is to pick the Close button on the right side of the file window title bar. Other options include double-clicking on the file icon on the file window title bar, and selecting the Close option from the File pull-down menu. When AutoCAD is configured to display a screen menu, the commands appear in a separate screen. NOTE Many design projects require that multiple fi les be open. To save changes to all open fi les, use the Save All tool. To close all open fi les, use the Close All tool. Both tools are available from the File pull-down menu. Exiting Inventor To exit Inventor, pick the Close button located in the upper-right corner of the Inventor window, double-click the Inventor window title bar, select Exit from the File pull-down menu, or pick the Inventor icon located in the upper-left corner of the Inventor window and select Close. When you close a file or exit Inventor, several alert boxes may appear, depending on the situation. For example, if you have not saved your work, you are asked if you want to save the file before closing. Web site Exercise 1-5 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 1-5. The Inventor Interface Interface, or user interface, items include devices such as the keyboard and mouse to input data, and the monitor to receive information. The Inventor graphical user interface (GUI), shown in Figure 1-18, includes both standard Microsoft Windows functions and specialized Inventor items. The specialized interface tools and options are used for preparing models and drawings and are described when appropriate throughout this textbook. The Inventor interface constantly changes as you develop a part, assembly, presentation, or drawing. Only the tools and options that apply to the current work environment and design or drafting task are available. For example, the part file interface is displayed in Part mode and contains the tools and options required to create parts. Interface items such as the panel bar and pull-down menu options automatically change as you progress through each design phase and work with different file types. interface (user interface): The tools and techniques used to provide information to and receive information from a computer application. graphical user interface (GUI): On-screen interface items. Chapter 1 Introduction to Autodesk Inventor 15 floating: Describes interface items, displayed within a border, that can be freely resized or moved. docked: Describes interface items that are locked into position on an edge of the Inventor window (top, bottom, left, or right). Figure 1-18. Elements of the Inventor interface. Panel bar Shortcut and hot keys Toolbar buttons Dialog box Browser bar Shortcut menu Communication center button When AutoCAD is configured to display a screen menu, the commands appear in a separate screen. Interface Terminology NOTE This textbook focuses on the default Inventor interface. Only default interface items are shown throughout this textbook, except in specifi c situations that require additional information. Figure 1-19 provides a list and description of interface terms used throughout this textbook. Become familiar with these terms and reference Figure 1-19 as you learn Inventor. Controlling Windows and Interface Items The Inventor program and graphics windows are similar to other windows within the Windows operating system. To minimize, maximize, or close the Inventor window or individual graphics windows, pick the small control icon in the upper-left corner, which displays a standard window control menu, or pick the appropriate icon in the upperright corner. Window sizing operations are the same as those for any other window. Several Inventor interface items, including the Inventor and graphics windows, can float or be docked. Different options and functions are available, depending on the particular interface item and whether the item is floating or docked. Some items, 16 Inventor and Its Applications 2009
Figure 1-19. Common interface terms and descriptions. Term Description Alias A keyboard key or key combination used to define and access a command or tool. Button A button on the screen or mouse. Command An instruction issued to the computer. Cursor The primary means of pointing to and selecting objects within the Inventor window. Default A value maintained by the computer until you change it. [Enter] (↵) The [Enter] key on the keyboard. Function key One of the keys labeled [F1]–[F12] along the top of the keyboard. Glyph A graphic representation, typically initiating an action, symbol, or function. For example, a perpendicular glyph represents a perpendicular geometric situation. Graphics window The largest area in the Inventor window, where modeling and drawing occur. Hover Use the mouse to move the cursor over an item and hold the cursor at the location to display additional information or options. Icon An image identifying or depicting the function of an interface item. Key A key on the keyboard. Option An aspect of a command or tool that can be selected. Pick or click Use the left mouse button to select an item on the screen. Tool A command used to perform a specific task. For example, the Line tool is used to draw lines. such as the graphics window, have a title bar at the top or side. The close and minimize or maximize options are often available, and most items can be resized. Some floating items, such as toolbars and panels, include grab bars. When AutoCAD is configured to display a screen menu, the commands appear in a separate screen. NOTE The graphics windows can be adjusted and positioned only within the Inventor window. Using Shortcut Menus Shortcut menus, also known as pop-up, cursor, and right-click menus, are used extensively in Inventor. See Figure 1-20. The option at the top of a shortcut menu allows you to quickly access the previously selected tool or option. Some menu options have a small arrow to the right of the option name. When you pick one of these options, a cascading menu appears. See Figure 1-21. grab bars: Two thin bars at the top or left edge of a docked or floating item; used to move the item. shortcut menus: Menus that allow access to tools and options by rightclicking anywhere in the graphics window or on an object or selection. cascading menu: A secondary menu that contains options related to the chosen menu item. Chapter 1 Introduction to Autodesk Inventor 17 context-sensitive shortcut menu: Menu in which only items associated with the current work environment and application are displayed. pull-down menus: A text-based menu input system in which options appear when you pick the menu name. Figure 1-20. The shortcut menu that appears depends on the item under the cursor when you right-click. Cursor is on the Cursor is on a sketch graphics window in the browser Figure 1-21. Cascading menus are available from shortcut menus and from pull-down menu options that have a flyout arrow. You can access the tools and options available from shortcut menus using many of the other interface techniques. However, because shortcut menus are context sensitive and positioned near the cursor, you can improve the speed with which you perform tasks and access options that may otherwise be difficult to find. A shortcut menu often provides the quickest method for accessing a tool or option. Therefore, shortcut menu access is presented first in this textbook for tools and options that are best accessed from a shortcut menu. Using Pull-Down Menus Cursor is on a feature in the browser Arrow indicates that cascading menu is available Cascading menu The pull-down menu bar, shown in Figure 1-22, houses the pull-down menus that are available for the particular work environment. Pick a pull-down menu to reveal the options for that menu. Then move the cursor down and up to highlight and select the desired menu option. Like shortcut menus, some pull-down menu options display an arrow to the right of the menu selection, indicating that a cascading menu of related options is available. To close the currently selected menu without opening another menu, press the [Esc] key, pick outside of the menu list, or pick on the menu bar. If you 18 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 and 6: Figure 1-12. Work features are used
Page 7: When AutoCAD is configured to displ
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

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?