It is Alive in the Lab

Return from Feature Recognition in Inventor 2010

In 1962 Elvis Presely had a hit entitled "Return to Sender." The song tells the story of unrequited love as demonstrated by a letter being returned unopened by its recipient. I couldn't help but have that song play through my head as a I read a recent email from a Mr. Richard Feder of Fort Lee, New Jersey:

There apears to be no return tool to exit the feature recognition in Inventor 2010 back to the main part modeling enviroment unless you manualy create a custom toolbar.

In response to Richard's question about the Feature Recognition Tool for Inventor, Software Engineer, Shekar Sub, noted that although it is small, the ability to return is indeed present:

The UI element is highlighted in red. Thanks Shekar. "Thank you. Thank you very much."

Sharing customer feedback is alive in the lab.

Feature Recognition for Inventor 2010 Now Available

Put Feature Recognition in the palm of your hand...

The Feature Recognition Tool allows you to convert STEP, SAT, or IGES solids models into fully featured Autodesk Inventor models. You can execute feature mapping automatically or interactively to maintain your design intent. Software QA Engineer, Peter Varga, provided me with an updated tool that I was happy to add to the Autodesk Labs site. You can get this free download from:

Free Download of Feature Recognition for Inventor

This update adds support for Inventor 2010. Peter also supplied a silent video which I uploaded to YouTube and used AudioSwap to add sound.

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNwWONbTnxk
non-YouTube: Feature Recognition Video

With this update, users who upgrade to Inventor 2010 can continue to give us feedback at labs.iv.feature.recog@autodesk.com. We're so happy you can.

Keeping our technologies preview current is alive in the lab.

Using Feature Recognition when importing files into Autodesk Inventor

A Mr. Richard Feder of Fort Lee, New Jersey writes in:

Hey Labs guys,
How do I enable feature recognition in Autodesk Inventor 2009?

Software QA Engineer, Peter Varga, supplied the answer:

Once you have successfully installed Feature Recognition onto your 2009 Inventor, it will show up in the "Tools -> Add Ins" pull down menu. To use Feature Recognition:

1. Download from http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/feature_recognition/.

2. Ensure that the version of Feature Recognition that you install matches the installed Inventor(s) / OS Type that you have.

3. Open a translator file (IGES, STEP, SAT, etc.) that has solid(s) in it.

4. During the translation open, (if a single part / solid file) - a dialog will prompt you if you want to automatically "Recognize Features."

5. If you select "Yes" here, you will be placed in the Feature Recognition environment.

6. On the other hand, if you select "No" for automatic feature recognition:

   • If you then Right-Mouse-Click on the "Base1" (or other named solid) feature in the browser, you can select "Recognize Features."
   • Select "Automatic Feature Recognition" and click "Apply" (most features selected).
   • Or you can manually select the features via check box - then pick the faces (after clearing the current selection of "All) you want that correspond to the feature you are seeking... (or use all faces by default...).
   • Click Apply and OK - and Return and Yes (to build the recognized geometry).

Peter notes that it's actually easier than it sounds.

Sharing tips from those in the know is alive in the Lab.

Shrinkwrap Add-in most popular in Belgian Inventor Poll

On the heels of my posting about what's available on the Autodesk Labs site for Autodesk Inventor users, my friend, Stefaan Boel, shared the results of a recent poll he conducted on the Belgian Inventor Wizard site. Stefaan posed the question:

What is important for you?

• Advanced Simulation
• Feature Recognition
• iMap
• Plastic Features
• Shrinkwrap
• 2D to 3D tool

The results were:

The Shrinkwrap Add-in for Inventor is the most popular. This is great feedback. Thanks for taking the poll and sharing the results.

What's on labs for the manufacturing industry?

A Mr. Richard Feder from Fort Lee, New Jersey emailed us:

Do you have a recent presentation of the latest stuff available on Labs for the manufacturing industry?

Inventor Product Manager, Sam Antos, provided the answer with a PowerPoint presentation. I have taken Sam's slides and fashioned them into a blog article.

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iMap for Inventor

• Skeletal iMap views to identify and modify complete assembly structure, including sub-assemblies
• Constraint iMap views to interactively investigate, create, and manipulate key relationships and constraints
• Navigate your Digital Prototypes!

// More iMap info

New User Interface

• Modern, ribbon-based UI for increased productivity, ease of use, and learnability
• Intuitive, task-based grouping of commands
• Customizable Quick Access Toolbar
• Document switching thumbnails
• Progressively detailed Tooltips

// More UI info

Advanced Simulation

• Key Plassotech capabilities that augment the Autodesk Digital Prototyping solution
• Part and Assemblies FEA and modal frequency analysis
• Parametric simulations and multi-criteria optimization
• Quickly set up simulation models that provide usable results

// More Advanced Simulation info

Shrinkwrap Add-in for Inventor

• Easily provide a single solid part as a substitute for a complex assembly
• IP protection for suppliers by quickly removing all internal components from an assembly
• Substantially less memory usage compared to the fully detailed assembly

// More Shrinkwrap info

Inventor Plastic Features

• Dedicated, purpose-built Inventor environment for designing complex plastic parts
• Automated creation of common technical plastic features
• Innovative Progressive Shelling technology for thin-walled plastic parts

// More Plastic Features info

ShareNow Add-in for Inventor

• One click publishing from Inventor to easily share designs with non-Inventor users
• Browser-based viewing without additional software
• Real-time and/or at-your-convenience collaboration including markup

// More ShareNow info

Also available on Autodesk Labs

• Enhanced JT Translator
• AliasStudio Direct Reader
• Feature Recognition
• 2D to 3D Tool
• Sustainable Materials Assistant
• English and French Inventor LT 2009



• XVL Translator (for Inventor 2008)
• Native Translators (for Inventor 2008)
• Frame Generator Customization (for Inventor 2008)

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Thanks Sam!

Enumerating the benefits of modeling software technologies for the manufacturing industry is alive in the lab.

Feature Recognition for Autodesk Inventor 2009 Now Available

Software QA Engineer, Peter Varga, supplied me with an updated Feature Recognition Tool. I was happy to add it to the Autodesk Labs site for download. The new version supports Autodesk Inventor 2009. Now Inventor 2009 users can use this application to convert neutral 3D CAD (STEP, SAT, or IGES solids) models into fully featured Autodesk Inventor models. Woo hoo.

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/feature_recognition/

The ZIP file contains installers for Inventor11 (32-bit), Inventor 2008 (32-bit), Inventor 2009 (32-bit), and Inventor 2009 (64-bit). Extract the installer that matches your version of Inventor, run it, and let the model conversion begin.

Keeping technology previews current with our latest product offerings is alive in the lab.

Feature Recognition for Inventor New Installer (Vista Compatible) and Survey Now Available

If you use Autodesk Inventor 2008 in combination with Microsoft Vista, you can download a new installer for the Feature Recognition Tool. Regardless of your operating system, if you are a Feature Recognition user, please take a few minutes to take a Feature Recognition for Inventor survey and share your thoughts!

The Feature Recognition Tool for Inventor is available on Autodesk Labs.

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/feature_recognition/

You can use this utility to convert STEP, SAT, or IGES models into fully featured Autodesk Inventor models. The updated 2008 installer now supports Microsoft Vista. The R11 installer remains unchanged. Many of you have sent us feedback at labs.iv.feature.recog@autodesk.com. Thank you for that. In addition to this feedback avenue, you can also take a survey to let us know your thoughts:

http://myfeedback.autodesk.com/adsksurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=l40K9ml

Updating utilities to support the latest operating systems with methods to provide pinpointed feedback is alive in the lab.

Feature Recognition for Inventor Survey Now Available

Please take a few minutes to take a Feature Recognition for Inventor survey and share your thoughts!

The Feature Recognition Tool for Inventor is available on Autodesk Labs.

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/feature_recognition/

You can use this utility to convert STEP, SAT, or IGES models into fully featured Autodesk Inventor models. Many of you have sent us feedback at labs.iv.feature.recog@autodesk.com. Thank you for that. In addition to this feedback avenue, you can also take a survey to let us know your thoughts:

http://myfeedback.autodesk.com/adsksurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=l40K9ml

So please complete this survey at your earliest convenience. Your opinion matters.

AUGI: Autodesk Inventor: Feature Recognition

President of the AutoCAD Local User Group in Bangalore, India, Sunith Babu has provided a tutorial for the Feature Recognition capability. The Feature Recognition application converts neutral 3D CAD (STEP, SAT, or IGES solids) models into fully featured Autodesk® Inventor™ models.

Autodesk Inventor: Feature Recognition - July 2007

Check it out.

Feature Recognition for Autodesk Inventor 2008

Inventor QA Manager, Sanjay Jayabal, reports that the technology preview of the Feature Recognition for Autodesk Inventor has been updated for Autodesk Inventor 2008. We are happy to share it with you via Autodesk Labs.

Feature Recognition for Autodesk Inventor Technology Preview

This Autodesk Inventor 2008 add-in allows you to convert non-native 3D data files into fully featured Inventor models. You can use it with Autodesk Inventor Suite, Autodesk Inventor Professional, and with the Autodesk Inventor LT Technology Preview. The add-in finds and creates hole features, extrude features, revolve features, fillets, chamfers, shells, and sweeps on a base body, either automatically, or with user guidance. When you provide user guidance, precise design intent is assured. Once the features are identified, they are fully editable, acting as any native Inventor object would. This functionality is especially useful if you need to modify content that was not created in Inventor originally.

Check it out!