Activity 4.

2 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/learn-
explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2014/ENU/Inventor/files/GUID-94B779C0-
6B2B-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 File Description
Environment extension

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.

1. Ribbon
2. Project Browser
3. Graphic Window

© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 4.1d Software Modeling Introduction (2016) – Page 2
4. Applications Menu
5. Quick Access Toolbar
6. Tabs
7. Commands within a panel
8. Panels
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
9. 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
 10. View the Inventor® tutorial Navigation Controls. Label the navigation controls in
the following image.

11. 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
12. 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?

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Introduction to Engineering Design Activity 4.1d Software Modeling Introduction (2016) – Page 7