ShareNow extends collaboration from manufacturers to suppliers

If you are an Autodesk Inventor LT Technology Preview user in the United States or Canada, and you are not using the collaboration capabilities of Project Freewheel, then you are missing the boat.

Now that we have updated the 3D/2D ShareNow Add-in to support the Autodesk Inventor LT Technology Preview, this opens up a whole new set of possibilities for design collaboration. The relationship between the Autodesk Inventor LT Technology Preview and Autodesk Inventor has been established. It is a common scenario for suppliers to use the Autodesk Inventor LT Technology Preview to model parts and for manufacturers to combine these parts into assemblies using Autodesk Inventor. Now suppliers can use ShareNow to share their "works in progress" via Project Freewheel.

1. The manufacturer publishes a specification using the free Autodesk DWF Writer. Using just their browsers, the manufacturer and supplier participate in a real-time collaboration session via Project Freewheel. The session allows the supplier to mark up the specification, and both parties reach agreement on a final version of the specification.

2. The supplier uses the final specification to model the part using the Autodesk Inventor LT Technology Preview. The supplier publishes his work in progress to Project Freewheel with one click using the ShareNow Add-in. Using just their browsers, the supplier and manufacturer participate in a real-time collaboration session via Project Freewheel. The session allows the manufacturer to mark up the part, and both parties reach agreement on a final version of the part.

3. After incorporating changes from the session to the part using the Autodesk Inventor LT Technology Preview, the supplier delivers the part to the manufacturer. Using Autodesk Inventor, the manufacturer creates an assembly using the part and other parts designed internally or obtained from other suppliers.

We are anxious to hear of your experiences with Project Freewheel and the Autodesk Inventor LT technology Preview. Please try ShareNow and tell us what you think: labs.freewheel@autodesk.com. For those attending Autodesk University, you can also stop by the Design Showcase in the Exhibit Hall and see ShareNow in action. Working to improve collaboration among manufacturers and suppliers is alive in the lab.