Architect and Revit user now owns Inventor 11....now what?

[Scott D Davis]

Hi all,

For those that browse these forums and don't make it to the AEC side, let me introduce myself....I'm Scott, and a Moderator here of the Revit Forums. I'm an Architect-in-training (only 3 more exams!) and have used Revit for 6 years, and AutoCAD for waaaaayyy too many years to name.

Thanks to the great Board of Directors at AUGI, I now own a NFR copy of Inventor 11 Pro, which they gave the moderators as a "thank you for voluntering your time". I could have had my choice of many of the Autodesk products, but chose Inventor because I think I can integrate it with my Revit use, and with Architecture.

Well, I have the box with a nice DVD, and some books, but now what? I need your advice!

I can install Inv 11, AutoCAD Mechanical, Mech Desktop, and Vault 5, but do I need all of them? I currently have Revit 8.1, 9.0, 9.1, and AutoCAD 2005 and 2007 (vanilla) installed....I'd like to stay away from installing another version of AutoCAD as I don't want conflicts with Vanilla Acad.

Next question: training? What should I do? I have NO mechanical background, but think I could use Inventor for component design to use in Revit, whether its furniture, casework/cabinets, windows, doors, etc. I've inquired with my reseller, but one of their "prerequisites" says a mech background is "required".

Thanks in advance for your advice!

[jonathan.landeros]

Hi all,

For those that browse these forums and don't make it to the AEC side, let me introduce myself....I'm Scott, and a Moderator here of the Revit Forums. I'm an Architect-in-training (only 3 more exams!) and have used Revit for 6 years, and AutoCAD for waaaaayyy too many years to name.

Thanks to the great Board of Directors at AUGI, I now own a NFR copy of Inventor 11 Pro, which they gave the moderators as a "thank you for voluntering your time". I could have had my choice of many of the Autodesk products, but chose Inventor because I think I can integrate it with my Revit use, and with Architecture.

Well, I have the box with a nice DVD, and some books, but now what? I need your advice!

I can install Inv 11, AutoCAD Mechanical, Mech Desktop, and Vault 5, but do I need all of them? I currently have Revit 8.1, 9.0, 9.1, and AutoCAD 2005 and 2007 (vanilla) installed....I'd like to stay away from installing another version of AutoCAD as I don't want conflicts with Vanilla Acad.

Next question: training? What should I do? I have NO mechanical background, but think I could use Inventor for component design to use in Revit, whether its furniture, casework/cabinets, windows, doors, etc. I've inquired with my reseller, but one of their "prerequisites" says a mech background is "required".

Thanks in advance for your advice!

I'd start with Inventor. I don't think you'd need to get into Mechanical Desktop or AutoCAD Mechanical (I'd only install them if I needed the underlying AutoCAD).

Most mechanical knowledge that users have is via their schooling or their jobs (mostly in the sense of standards to use, manufacturing processes, etc), the training helps them learn the software so they can apply it to their jobs.

I'd think you'd have sufficient 'mechanical' knowledge to build the parts you need at the detail you need.

Of course we're happy to help too.