Parametric modelling

[Pontoon]

For a unit at University we've been asked to do some parametric modelling. They use Solidworks, but we've been told we can do the task in any other package as long as we get the same outcome. I use inventor at work, so thought it would be useful to me to be able to do it in Inventor.

I have managed the first stage of drawing up the flange and creating an excel table for driving the dimensions, however I can't seem to find instructions anywhere as to how you can create several variations of the same shape using one table. Is this possible in excel? Can someone point me to instructions or examples on how to do this. (NB this is about all we've been taught to do in SW in the 1 day we've done on CAD at uni, not impressed with the tuition)

My main issue is that we're not being taught enough in solidworks to do the whole excercise (layout drawings, title boxes, dimensioning etc), so I'd rather do a good job of the drawing in Inventor, where my knowledge lies, rather than botch something rudimentary in SW which wouldn't stand up in a proper engineering setting. If anyone can help it will be gratefully recieved.

[JD Mather]

Search for information on creating iParts.
Then to get really slick - search on information on iLogic.

[David Gaskill]

iAssemblies, iParts or just attach a spead sheet that has parameters (named values). These all work together in different degree's. They are very powerful.