AutoCad Inventor 2010

[Molten]

Originally Posted by McGurky

what is so much better about solidworks than inventor? Can you explain why it is so much better?

It's not just Solidworks. ProE and AutoCAD are both better then Inventor for one simple reason.(ignoring the many others) They are used in industry. I know of a company that uses Solidworks, one that uses AutoCAD, and one that uses ProE. However, I don't know any that use Inventor. That alone makes any one of the the three other 'main' CAD softwares better.

Inventor is primarily used to acquaint you with the mindset of a draftsmen. Think about it. Since you've learned Inventor, do you look at parts the same? I personally look at parts as extrusions, revolves, and other basic commands. I see the details of the part. That is what you need from Inventor.

Now, onto the many other reasons Inventor is a bit sub par. Each tool specializes in it's own way. The ProE is the natural powerhouse of drafting. If you want some advanced mechanics, that is where you want to go. The AutoCAD has vastly superior 2D drafting capabilities and uses way less memory. Solidworks is more of the same, but just way more in depth.

Overall, though I love Inventor, I got to say that any of the other three will suit you better in the long run. I hope my explanation covers all the bases without stepping on anyone's toes.