Taking Note of Inventor

Well, it looks like we've reached the last post of the year. So while reflecting back on 2008, I also started thinking about the 'Ghost of Inventor Releases Past'.

My memory fell upon a tool that I haven't used in a while, although it definitely has some benefits.

The Engineer's Notebook.

In essence, it's just a 'sticky note' inside your Inventor files, and while you can live a long, prosperous life without using the tool, it can be one of those helpful things that just might be useful in the right situation.

How to use it:

When you're in an Inventor assembly or part file, right click on the name of the file, and choose 'Create Note'.

Once you choose 'Create Note', the Engineer's Notebook will appear.



Now you can add the information you need to put in the note. In this case, I've added a note stating which model clamp we use, and that we usually have a lot of them on hand.




Now I can close the window by hitting the 'X' in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Make sure you hit the 'X' for the window, and not the one that closes Inventor.

Now you'll be returned to your Inventor modeling screen. The note will appear in the browser, and can be accessed by double clicking on the note.


By default, Inventor will have the notes show up on the screen as little yellow notes. You can turn this off by going to Tools>Application Options, and choosing the Notebook Tab. If the option are checked. The little yellow note icon will appear on screen. However, if you uncheck them, you won't see them.

I usually prefer to keep them unchecked myself. Because if you get a lot of them, your screen starts getting pretty cluttered.


That's it. Farewell to 2008, and I hope everyone has a fantastic 2009!





The KETIV Team

Suppress Your Frustrations (and drawing views!)

It's been a typical December, that is, hectic. I'm almost caught up from the trip to Vegas now (although I'd wish I'd been there to see it snow!).

Finally a chance to blog another tip again.

Have you ever had to generate a view (like the section view below) on a drawing? What if there's a case where the only view required was the section view?

The interesting part about this situation was the base view was required in order to generate the detail, so you had to have it whether you required it or not.



If you've been around Inventor for a while, you probably remember the old trick. Drag the view off the border. Of course that still left that view there, which was a little insufficient (and maybe just a little irritating!)



However, now, if you right click on a view, you can choose 'Suppress' and the view will suppress and disappear without having to be moved off the page.


Now the view goes away, and you don't have the baggage off the edge of the screen!



And by the way, if you need to unsuppress the view, right click on the view in the browser, uncheck 'Suppress', and you can return the view!



It's a little cleaner, and a little more efficient.

Happy Inventing! And Happy Holidays!

I'm back from AU!

Autodesk University is done for 2008 now. I have to say that I always learn something new, and I'm always glad I went (even though it can get pretty exhausting).

I ran into a lot of old friends and colleagues, as well as making a few more, and saw a couple of tricks too.

I'm afraid I still have to sort out some notes and get all my tricks put together. But I'm hoping to start posting some by the end of the week (really!).

One of the things I did start to get to play with is a product called Showcase. Picture being able to bring in an Inventor model, and render it in real time. Picture photo-realistic renderings that you can rotate, view, and update almost instantly (not the render in place, change rerender type).

I attached a screen capture for interest, and I'll kick up some tips at the end of the week!

There's a webcast on Showcase coming up that Kyle (our industrial design AE) is hosting. Feel free to check them out at the links below!

Showcase Your Inventor Designs – Dec. 18

Message: Accelerate your design review process with high end, easy-to-use rendering.

Showcase Your SolidWorks Designs – Dec. 18

Message: Showcase works with Solidworks.

Plus a couple of pictures from AU (sorry for the bad quality, I had to use my cell phone).


Rotating models by touching the screen directly. It's like a giant I-phone!


Sitting in one of the classes. I think this is JD Mather's importing neutral formats course!

Off to Autodesk University!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Holiday. I had a great holiday, but as usual, they always seem a little too short.

This week, it's off to Autodesk University in Las Vegas for more courses, and a chance to see other users and exchange ideas.

I'm hoping to blog from the event, and hopefully share a trick or two that I might learn.

I'll see everyone when I get back!