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Functional Comparison of SolidWorks 2009 vs.Autodesk Inventor 2009 Design Software
A close look at SolidWorks
2009 and Autodesk Inventor
2009 software revealsSolidWorks is truly the leader of 3D design. Users of SolidWorks enjoy deeperfunctionality, design flexibility, and unique productivity tools. The added functionalityresults in high design efficiency with less frustration. SolidWorks is the only
choicefor challenging and demanding design environments. SolidWorks enables designersto build better products, faster.
Sketching
Feature Description/Benefit Inventor SolidWorks
SketchEntities
Basic geometry creation tools. Allowrapid creation of complex sketched
features.
Lacks many tools, including;
parabola, partial ellipses,linear jogs, slots, and curve
through points.
OffsetFrequently used to create complexgeometry such as plastic parts and
casting
Lacks bi-directional offset,
end capping and fullassociativity.
2D SplineControl
Important in creating organic shapes,especially in consumer design.
Limited control. No controlpolygons or unidirectional
drag handles.
SketchXpert
Enables users to fully understand 2D
constraints and troubleshoot problemsketches.
SketchBlocks
Intelligent grouping of sketch entities.Aids in the creation of 2D layouts of
mechanisms.
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Feature Description/Benefit Inventor SolidWorks
Full
Dimensioning
The ability to dimension entities using
common drafting standards
Cannot dimension an arcslength
Save inSketch Mode
The ability to save your work while insketch mode
AdvancedSketch
Relationships
Enable users to simulate gear, camand belt/chain motion within a 2D
sketch.
3D Sketch Required for conceptual design,wireframe modeling, lofts, sweepsand weldments, etc.
Very limited in supportedentities and relationships.No arcs, rectangles, etc.
Curve onSurface
The ability to sketch a 3D splinedirectly on a surface. Essential for
conceptual design.
Fit SplineEnables multiple sketch entities to be
connected with a smooth curve.
AdvancedContourSelect
The ability to utilize sketch geometryeven with overlapping, crossing and
tangent conditions. Saves atremendous amount of time by
eliminating sketch edits.
Very limited. Does notrecognize the intersection of
entities. Users mustmanually trim geometry to
use it effectively.
NegativeDimensions
The ability to control the position ofsketch entities with positive and
negative dimensions
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Modeling
Feature Description/Benefit Inventor SolidWorks
Instant 3D
The ability to instantly create and editgeometry with simple mousegestures. Drastically speeds
conceptual design and edit ability.
Live SectionThe ability to utilize the cross section
of a part to edit the model.
ExtrudeThe most common command to
create 3D geometry. Adds depth to2D sketch profiles.
Lacks offset and depthoptions, the ability to extrude
in the direction of a vectorand the ability to extrude thin
walled features.
Revolve 2D profile rotated about a centerline.
Lacks options to specify
rotation independently in twodirections. Cannot rotate
thin walled features.
LoftCreates complex shapes by blending
multiple cross sections together.Common in consumer design.
Limited in curvature control
and predictability.
SweepCreates a surface or solid by
sweeping a cross section along apath.
Only basic sweep
capabilities. Weak incontrolling orientation, twist,
and variational sections.
Hole
Creation of standard counter-bore,counter sink, simple, tapped and
clearance holes. Sizes and optionsshould be based on industry
standards.
Slow performance. Poorhole placement options.
Lacks drill and tap drill sizeinformation.
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Feature Description/Benefit Inventor SolidWorks
FilletCreating blends and rounds. An
extremely important feature for all
designers.
No constant width or holdline fillets.
Chamfer Used to chamfer edges of corners. No corner chamfer option
Thin FeatureThe capability to create thin walledfeatures from within the extrude,rotate, sweep and loft commands.
2D to 3DConversion
Tools
Utilizes standard 2D views to quicklycreate 3D models.
Available via Autodesk Labs
N-sidedsurface patch
A useful command to create complexsurfaced parts and repair imported
geometry.
No continuous curvature
capabilities
BoundarySurface
A very flexible capability for creatingcomplex surfaces and solids.
Ruled
Surface
A commonly used command to helpsplit models at their parting lines and
to create complex interfacing featuressuch as lips and grooves.
FlexThe ability to bend, twist, taper and
stretch parts.
Inventor has a limited bendfeature but cannot handle
complex geometry
IndentAllows volumes and parts to conformto each other. Important in consumer
design and packaging.
PowerfulEquations
The capability to write IF THENequations between parameters.
PreserveDimensions
whenMirroring
The power to edit and view thedimensions of a mirrored component
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Feature Description/Benefit Inventor SolidWorks
DraftThe ability to add angled relief to
faces. A necessity for molded andcast parts
Only fixed edge and plane
draft. No step draft.
Power SplitCommand
The ability to easily divide a modelinto multiple individual bodies.
Extremely limited. Commandleaves only one body. Mustbe repeated to capture true
intent.
Free FormThe ability to easily push and pull a
surface into shape. Great for
conceptual design.
FilletXpertAn intelligent toolset which
troubleshoots filleting problems andsuggests best solutions.
CornerAlternatives
An intelligent toolsets that will allowusers to see different solutions when
filleting corners.
FilletSelectionManager
A powerful selection tool whichgroups edges based on their physicalcharacteristics. Speeds the rounding
of numerous corners
Inventor can only group
select internal or externalcorners
DraftXpertAn intelligent toolset which
troubleshoots draft problems andsuggests best solutions.
Mold DesignTools
Tools that aid in designing moldedparts and mold core and cavity.
Capabilities include: Parting linecreation, shut off surfaces, undercutdetection, side core extraction, etc.
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Feature Description/Benefit Inventor SolidWorks
Simulation-
Xpress
Built in part analysis. Determines if
the part will fail early in the designprocess.
Equivalent is only available inInventor Professional andSimulation.
DimXpert(parts)
Intelligent feature baseddimensioning routines automatically
create full 3D annotations.
Deform
Shape modification using deformparadigm. Simple workflow that
enables modification regardless of
design history.
Multi-bodyControl
The ability to control each feature asan individual body or merged solid.Provides a powerful technique for
producing complex parts.
Local BodyOperations(Multi-body)
The ability to shell, fillet, and controlindividual bodies independently of
each other.
FasteningFeatures
Toolsets to create common snaphooks, snap grooves & mounting
bosses.
Available only through
Autodesk labs
Part LevelConfig-urations
Ability to define all design variationswith in part file. Extremely importantwhen designing families of parts in
multiple sizes and with multipleoptions.
Cannot configure tolerances
and equations. Stores allvariations in independent
files, making editing difficult.
ScaleThe ability to grow or shrink a part by
a specified factor. A necessity formolded and cast parts.
Can only accomplish by
creating a scaled copy of apart. Does not allow parts tobe scaled independently in 3
directions.
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Feature Description/Benefit Inventor SolidWorks
Advanced RibDraft
The ability to control a ribs draft basedon the required thickness where the ribintersects the part.
Variable PitchHelix
The ability to create a helix which canvary in pitch numerous times along its
length.
Part LevelMates
The ability to accurately positionmultiple bodies within a single part.
Area Fill
A powerful patterning commandwhich allows any boundary to bepopulated with a feature pattern.
Great for creating perforated parts.
Can fill a rectangular
boundary, but is extremelylimited.
DomeFeature
Allow users to add concavity orconvexity to a face of a model. Used
to make many stylistic shapes.
Sheet Metal
Feature Description/Benefit Inventor SolidWorks
JogCommon sheet metal feature. Adds asheet metal jog by simply sketching a
line.
Lofted Bends
The ability to create and flattencomplex lofted shapes. Important for
duct work as well as stylized sheetmetal parts.
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Feature Description/Benefit Inventor SolidWorks
Normal Cut
Necessary for adding accurate sheetmetal cuts. Allows users to model
cut features in the folded state whichappear correctly on the flat pattern.
Solid toSheet Metal
The ability convert a solid shape intoa sheet metal part, by simply picking
faces and edges. Powerful whencreating complex sheet metal
enclosures
Flat PatternEditing
Add punches or other modificationsin the flat pattern and have them
appear correctly in the folded model.
MiteredFlange
Add flanges along multiplecontinuous edges. Without this
command, modeling flanged sheetmetal parts require numerous
addition steps.
Does not automatically miter
intersecting flanges
SelectiveUnbend
The ability to selectively unbend onebend at a time. Important for creatingin process drawings and determining
bend order.
CurvedFlanges
The ability to form curved edgeflanges
Rip and bend
The ability to turn standard solids intosheet metal parts. Adds the
necessary rips, bends, flat pattern,and required stress reliefs.
Gauge TablesSpecify the sheet metal thickness
and bend allowances by dimension orgauge.
Bend
AllowanceSpecification
Specify bend allowance calculationmethods using industry standards.
Only uses K factor or BendTable. Does not supportbend allowance or bend
deduction equations.
CornerTreatments
The ability to specify cornertreatments in the flat pattern.
Important for optimizing flat patternfor manufacturing.
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Assembly
Feature Description/Benefit Inventor SolidWorks
Quick View(Selective
Open)
Allows users to graphically selectwhich components will be loaded intomemory. Essential for large assembly
design.
Interference
Detection
Ability to quickly analyzeinterferences. Includes the ability to
ignore specific interferences, anddetect/ignore coincident surfaces.
Extremely slow and limited.
Can NOT ignoreinterferences of fasteners or
within subassemblies. DoesNOT detect coincident
surfaces. Provides poorfeedback.
SpeedPakThe power to drastically reduce a
assemblies memory footprint withoutsacrificing graphic detail.
CollisionDetection
Detect collision within an assemblysrange of motion.
Does not highlight
contacting faces. Odd
behavior when global contactsets are used.
VirtualComponents
The ability to add components to anassembly without creating individualpart files. This is very useful whenadding items such as paint, grease
and oil.
SimplifyAutomatically simplifies all parts in anassembly and stores them in a unique
configuration.
2D AssemblyLayoutDesign
The ability to create 2D layout withinan assembly using blocks and sketchentities, then easily use the sketch to
define assembly relationships andstructure. Speeds design ofmechanisms and component
positioning.
Requires any simplifiedlayout to be created as
independent part. No blocksor complex motion
capabilities.
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Feature Description/Benefit Inventor SolidWorks
Limit MatePermits components to move within a
specified dimensional range.
SymmetricMate
Forces two components to besymmetric about a plane.
Width Mate
Permits parts to be centered withintwo faces of other components.Important for any type of slot-pin
motion.
Screw MateCreates an accurate screw motion by
specifying rotation to travel ratios
UniversalJoint Mate
Creates realistic relationship betweenrotating components as if connected
via a universal joint
Path Mate
Creates a mate that simulates motionalong a path. The path may be
defined as a single edge, curve orcombination of both.
Belt/Chain
Mate
Enables multiple pulleys andsprockets to be related accurately,
resulting in true rotational motion.
MateDiagnostics &
MateXpert
Permits problem mates to be isolatedand analyzed quickly. Includes theability to force mates, in order to
converge on desired result.
Limited ability in isolating
problem mates. Nocapability to force mates.
AssemblyConfig-urations
The ability to capture any variation ofan assembly. Size, shape, location,
materials, mates.
Cannot vary tolerances
between variations. Mustcreate individual files for
each variation.
Multi-bodySplit Parts
Automatically creates an associativeassembly of multiple components out
of a single part.
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Feature Description/Benefit Inventor SolidWorks
In-contextRelationships
The ability to add sketch dimensions
and sketch constraints betweencomponents.
Must manually createprojected copies of
component edges. Extremelytime consuming.
Multi-MateMode
Enables users to easily mate multiplecomponents to a common reference
in a single command.
CopyComponentwith Mates
Enables users to quickly copymultiple components along with their
mates. Mates can be directlyduplicated, redefined or ignored.
SmartComponents
The ability to define librarycomponents complete with mountingfeatures and auxiliary components.Great for data reuse and speeding
machine design.
DisplayStates
The ability to mix the display mode ofdifferent components. Adds level of
visual clarity to design.
Limited. Cannot mix shaded
with wireframe.
Production Drawings
Feature Description/Benefit Inventor SolidWorks
Spell Check100% of drawings should be free ofspelling errors. Classic tool which
detects spelling errors.
Multipleleader
dimension
Useful when calling out multiple filletand chamfer dimensions.
AdvancedBOM
The ability to group, sum and createrelationships within a Bill of Material.(For example, if quantity >24, change
cell value to case).
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3D ViewManipulation
Enables 3D manipulation of the 2Dviews to optimize componentvisibility. (Rotate an explodedisometric view slightly to avoid
overlapping components).
Hide Parent
View
Often you wish to show only asection, auxiliary, or detail view
without the parent view. Adds clarityto drawings.
AdvancedGeneralTables
Permit users to split cells, mergecells and write both mathematical
equations and logical if/thenexpressions within a table.
ParametricNotes
Enable users to include associativedimensions, tolerances and
properties within note annotations.
Only model parameters are
supported without toleranceinformation.
Insert 3Dannotation
Permits all annotations defined in themodel to be automatically inserted
into the drawing.
Only weld treatments and
hole callouts are supported.
DimXpert(drawings)
Intelligent feature baseddimensioning routines that speed
detailing geometry. It will evenautomatically dimension imported
geometry.
AdvancedHole Table
Enables users to document holetypes and locations in multiple faces.
Lists holes from a single face
only. Hole labels are notfully associative with the
table.
ReattachDimensions
for betterplacement
Allows you to move a dimension toother related geometry for better
placement. (for example, move a holecallout to another hole within the
same pattern)
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Productivity Tools
Feature Description/Benefit Inventor SolidWorks
Real ViewGraphics
Hyper-realistic, real time graphicswhich include reflections, self
shadowing, realistic textures, andenvironments.
Design TreeSearch and
Filtering
Powerful tools which allow featuresand components to be quickly
queried and identified both within thetree and graphically
3D Clipart/Dissection
Allows any feature, sketch, or drawingview to be accessed without opening
the file. Aids in geometry reuse.
Heads UpMeasurement
Display
The ability to automatically seemeasurements by simply selecting
items of interest
DriveWorksXpress
Unique wizard which helps automatedesigns. Allows product
permutations to be controlled via an
easy to use form.
VBA MacroRecording
Enables easy automation byrecording commands directly to
Visual Basic API calls.
Reload
A frequently needed command thatallows the user to revert to the
previous saved document. Allowsusers to avoid closing and re-opening
files unnecessarily.
Linked Views
The ability to view the model
simultaneous in different orientationsthat are linked in scale and position.Aids in visualization.
Visual Search
Fast thorough search capabilities thatallow users to find files on theirsystem. Very graphical and user
friendly.
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Feature Description/Benefit Inventor SolidWorks
Feature
Folders
The ability to group features, mates,sketches into logical groups. Adds a
level of organization that speeds editsand communication.
Power SelectDynamically select/sort features
based on size, type, color, name, etc.Speeds edits and modifications.
CompareDrawing
Graphically compares two drawingsto indicate differences. Great foridentifying changes in unfamiliar
documents.
Compare
Documents
Compares the properties of two
documents or product configurations.
Find/Replace
Permits fast edits to annotationsusing find/replace functionality.
DesignChecker
Ensures parts, assemblies anddrawings conform to a companys
standard. Easily identifies mistakesand saves hours of manual checking.
Feature PaintThe ability to copy the properties of
one feature to another using thepaintbrush methodology.
Feature-Works
Enables users to automatically ormanually analyze imported geometry,converting it into an intelligent feature
based part. Extremely importantwhen editing geometry from other
CAD systems.
A limited/unsupported
version is available fromAutodesk Labs.
AutoSave
A very important capability thatautomatically saves a users work at aspecified interval. Helps reduce the
amount of work lost due to
unforeseen events.
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Data Import CapabilitiesFile Format Inventor SolidWorks
IGES (.igs) STEP AP203, STEP AP204 (.step)
DXF (.dxf) DWG (.dwg) ACIS (.sat)
Parasolids (.x_t, .x_b)
VDAFS (.vda)
VRML (.wrl)
STL (.stl)
SolidWorks (.sldprt, .sldasm, .sldrw)
Unigraphics (.prt)
Pro/ENGINEER (.prt, .asm)
Does not support features orassembly mates
Autodesk Inventor (.ipt, .idw, .iam, ipn, ide) Part and assembly files
Solid Edge (prt, asm)
CATIA Graphics (.cgr)
IDF (.brd, .emn, .bdf, .idb)
Autodesk Inventor
Professional and AutodeskInventor Routed Systems
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File Format Inventor SolidWorks
Rhinoceros (.3dm)
Adobe Illustrator (.ai)
Mesh Files (.nxm, .scn, .3ds, .obj, .stl, .wrl, .ply)
Point Cloud (.xyz, .txt, .asc, .vda, .igs)
Data Export CapabilitiesFile Format Inventor SolidWorks
SolidWorks (.sldprt, .sldasm, .sldrw)
Pro/ENGINEER (.prt, .asm) IGES (.igs)
STEP AP203, STEP AP204 (.step) DXF (.dxf)
DWG (.dwg) ACIS (.sat)
Parasolids (.x_t, .x_b) VDAFS (.vda)
VRML (.wrl)
Parts only. Not available forassemblies or sheet metal
parts.
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File Format Inventor SolidWorks
STL (.stl) Parts only.
Adobe Photoshop (.psd)
Adobe Illustrator (.ai)
Adobe Portable Document Format (.pdf)
JPEG (.jpg)
Tiff (.tif)
CATIA Graphics (.cgr)
eDrawings (.edrw, .eprt, .easm) Available with add-in.
3DXML (.3dxml)
Microsoft XAML (.xaml) HCG (.hcg)
HOOPS HSF (.hsf)
Viewpoint MTX/MTS (.mts) Universal 3D (.u3d)
SolidWorksand eDrawingsare registered trademarks or trademarks of Dassault Systmes SolidWorks Corp.FeatureWorksis a registered trademark of Geometric Software Solutions Co. Limited. Other company and productnames are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. All other brand names, productnames, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.