Snap fits are common in many products and can be incredibly hard to model manually, particularly when they need to interface with complex forms. LetвЂ™s look at a few examples to illustrate how they work. The basic feature set for this release is mounting bosses (for fastener support and component mounting), grills and vents, snap fit hooks and loops, lips/grooves for part interfacing, rest features (where complex forms are required, again for mounting components or adding functionality to a part) and finally, rules-based filleting. They automate the creation of plastic part features that would previously have been repetitive and laborious to accomplish manually. The real key is the knowledge-based nature of these tools. This intelligence is not only in terms of how a history-based system handles and maintains a constant wall thickness, but also in terms of adding an impressive range of knowledge-based plastic part features that support the industryвЂ™s language and geometry types. In terms of new tools for Plastic Part design, the technology is based on development work done by Attilio Rimoldi (founder of ImpactXoft) and offers an intelligent method of creating plastic parts. WhatвЂ™s interesting is how well developed the set of tools are, taking users through all stages, from the development of the parts through to core and cavity preparation, right into the realms of mould-base design. Mould base development is based on standard catalogues from the major suppliers but tools to adapt these to suit specific requirements and applications are also providedДЄ major focus for this 2010 release is the design and manufacture of plastic parts, specifically injection-moulded parts. Below this there is a short vertical strip of view manipulation tools that let users set views, shading, and toggle between orthogonal/perspective, among others вЂ“ all located in a very handy place.

Inventor users should already be familiar with the ViewCube, which has been introduced progressively into each Autodesk product to provide access to standard views quickly. ThereвЂ™s also a direct link to the help system found in the quick access bar at the top of the interface.ДЄlongside the new ribbon UI, there are some key new pieces of functionality that are worth a mention. Tool tips have been expanded and give users progressively greater amounts of information about commands as they hover over each icon. There are also additional panels for system options and variables (such as window control and display settings) as well as a whole host of learning tools that are going to be invaluable as users settle into the new environment. The standard panels present groups of commands for sketching, feature-creation, assembly modelling and draughting. The good news is that the work done sees the system reorganised so commands and feature-sets are presented in a very logical and workflow-centric way. Commands and operations have been moved from the left-hand portion of the screen and reorganised into discreet panels that run across the top of the UI. The new Ribbon-based User Interface (UI) is going to come as a bit of shock to existing users as pretty much everything has been re-arranged and, excuse my language, вЂribbonisedвЂ™.

In line with these new developments, and helping bring the new functionality together in one consistent environment, is a new user interface based on MicrosoftвЂ™s ubiquitous Ribbon. Inventor now includes a range of features that automate the creation of common, but complex plastic features, such as lips/grooves, mounting bosses, and grills

Autodesk inventor 2015 simulation