Please Respond

[Molten]

In my speech class, I have to do a presentation explaining something. I decided CAD, however I do have to do an interview of a "professional". I consider myself a professional, however it has to be someone else. So, I am going to post questions on here and hopefully all of you will help me out. The catch is that I have to give this speech on Monday, so please answer quickly.

1. What makes you a professional?(how long you have used it, awards, jobs, etc...)
2. What is the greatest advantage Inventor has over other drafting softwares?
3. How would you describe the thought process used with CAD?
4. What is your favorite tool and why?
5. How do you teach this software to someone new?
6. What companies do you know that use this software? (if any)
7. Please list the tools that you would show in a 5-7 minute demonstration?(for them to understand, not to be able to use)
8. Is there anything else you can think of that is of importance?
9. What is your primary CAD software?
I know some of these are off other threads, however I need this all on here in an interview setting. Any of you who will help me in a timely manner, I will gladly give dots.

I would highly suggest interviewing M Krass. She's on of the most professional CAD users I've ever had the privilege to interact with, and is also a really nice person. However, she mainly uses Solidworks. Might it work to do your presentation on CAD, instead of just limiting it to Inventor?

Anywhoo. I wouldn't call myself a professional, as I don't do this as a profession (yet!), but Hope I can help:

1. What makes you a professional?(how long you have used it, awards, jobs, etc...)
The speed at which I find myself able to CAD useable parts.

2. What is the greatest advantage Inventor has over other drafting softwares?
Personally, This could be an entire paper. Try not to focus too much on this. It's like the Windows v Mac debate: it all comes down to the individual and their preferences, as well as integration with the work environment.

3. How would you describe the thought process used with Inventor?
Very creative, much like art. Inventor is just a very special set of pens and papers. It still needs an artist, a user to control it. You won't get too far if you can't "see" the parts before working through them.

4. What is your favorite tool and why?
The save key. Using that means I've finished something worthwhile, and shows a job well done.

5. How do you teach this software to someone new?
Look for the thread: Teaching Inventor to Newbies. I wrote my whole routine on there.

6. What companies do you know that use this software? (if any)
I'm not sure, as I have yet to enter the workforce. However, I know that Solidworks is more widely used (currently).

7. Please list the tools that you would show in a 5-7 minute demonstration?(for them to understand, not to be able to use)
Sketch basics, extrude, assemble, and render. That shows the huge potential of the software, from the ground up.

8. Is there anything else you can think of that is of importance?
Yep. Try as many variations of CAD as you can get your hands on before settling down into one. It makes for a more well rounded experience, and allows you to enjoy the process more.

Good luck, hope I've helped!

[wilmo]

1. 2 years, co-go to person for Inventor (with someone i took the class with)
2. Eazy 3d, best user interface (I've used rhino3d, Autocad, alibre and various others)
3. Lots of visualization, When im board, every thing I see I always think how i could build it inventor
4. besides extrude, circle pattern, it makes everything so much easier
5. Start with basic 2d and then work to 3d then to 3d editing
6. ?
7. Extrude, texture edit, animation, 3 views
8. Is there anything else you can think of that is of importance?
9. Inventor

Adam Wilmes
868 The TechHOUNDS

[Madison]

Originally Posted by Molten

1. What makes you a professional?(how long you have used it, awards, jobs, etc...)

I've been working as a freelance technical designer outside of FIRST for a bit more than two years. I work with clients on nearly anything they'll pay me to do and my responsibilities include developing new products as well as "red-lining" existing models and drawings. I create drawings for production as well.

2. What is the greatest advantage Inventor has over other drafting softwares?

Inventor, like all parametric solid modeling programs, allows for intuitive creation of adaptive parts and assemblies. While it may sometimes take a bit longer to create parts initially, building them with the appropriate adaptivity means that making changes to parts, assemblies and drawings later happens much faster and that those changes can automatically propogate across multiple parts, ensuring that tab A continues to fit into slot B, even if you forget to move slot B. Parametric design also allows you to design using relationships and ratios in place of finite values -- so scaling parts or creating a series of parts that are similar can be achieved with minimal extra work.

3. How would you describe the thought process used with CAD?

I frequently begin with a rough hand-drawn sketch of an assembly and work from that -- creating and grouping parts in ways that seem intuitive. I consider the importance of different features in a part and build them up based on those assumptions so that editing them later is as easy as possible.

4. What is your favorite tool and why?

Save.

5. How do you teach this software to someone new?

Working through a series of simple tutorials that introduce basic concept of solid modeling seems to be the preferred method. I've never actually sat down to teach anyone to use parametric modeling software in a comprehensive fashion; I just try to answer questions as they come up.

6. What companies do you know that use this software? (if any)

I don't have first-hand experience with any company that uses Inventor, though I've seen a few job listings for it now and again and have heard rumors of some folks I know getting hired to do design work using Inventor. Solidworks is more common among small- and medium-sized businesses.

7. Please list the tools that you would show in a 5-7 minute demonstration?(for them to understand, not to be able to use)

Sketch, Extrude, Cut, Fillet, Pattern, Assemblies, Adaptivity

8. Is there anything else you can think of that is of importance?

Knowledge of CAD is not helpful without a supporting knowledge of design. Being able to use Inventor means you can draw a gearbox, but it doesn't mean you can design one, if that makes sense.

9. What is your primary CAD software?

Solidworks, primarily, with a little bit of AutoCAD thrown in when I need to communicate with the old folks.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

1. What makes you a professional?(how long you have used it, awards, jobs, etc...) I have been using Autocad (self taught) since 1985, the first computer had a 40 MB hard drive and 4 Megs of RAM, two monitor setup. I use Autocad to draw building spaces, schematics, labels, block diagrams and 3D accoustic investigations. I have even used it for analysis of the interference of airplanes landing at O'Hare and received satellite signals from a geosynchronous broadcast satellite.
2. What is the greatest advantage Inventor has over other drafting softwares? Inventor was designed with more manufacturing processes in mind.
3. How would you describe the thought process used with CAD? Anything that can be drawn with pencil and paper can be drawn in CAD, faster and with more accuracy.
4. What is your favorite tool and why? I like object snaps because you never draw unrelated lines. Snap is a great method to draw both accurately and cleanly. (i.e. all lines meet and intersect exactly where they are intended.)
5. How do you teach this software to someone new? I start out with some basic commands and when they begin to ask "Is there a better way to do this?" I can then add the more complex commands.
6. What companies do you know that use this software? (if any) I am not sure what you are asking. Each software tool has some particular user. Some need Inventor or ProE while others need Autocad or Solidworks.
7. Please list the tools that you would show in a 5-7 minute demonstration?(for them to understand, not to be able to use) A demonstration for someone who has never used this program must be shown commands and operations that relate to paper drawing first and then move to simple operational commands like move and copy and modify. When the audience seems to grasp those then a move to more complex operations like arrays, blocks and dimensions would be the next step.
8. Is there anything else you can think of that is of importance? CAD is a tool just like a screwdriver or wire cutters. It is not appropriate for everything, but there are somethings it can do better than anything else.
9. What is your primary CAD software? AutoCad 2006.

[M. Mellott]

1. What makes you a professional? I've been working with various CAD programs as a Design Engineer for about 17 years...first 5 as a GMI co-op with a quick-connect/hose company, and the last 12 with Delphi Connnection Systems as a 3D modeler and Component Designer.
2. What is the greatest advantage Inventor has over other drafting softwares? Inventor, while very basic compared to other high-end softwares (UG, CATIA, etc.), has a quality Sketcher tool that can pump out parametric solid models very nicely, and it has the ability to create both constrained assemblies and basic drawings quickly and easily. However, I think the greatest advantage by far is the cost comparision. Sure, the higher-end CAD softwares can do a lot more, but at a huge cost--easily $10K-40K+ per license depending on the features.
3. How would you describe the thought process used with CAD? When modeling in Inventor, look at the part and try to picture the primary profile of the body, sketch it parametricly using the Sketcher tool, create the basic solid body, and add the final details to finalize.
4. What is your favorite tool and why? By far, the Sketcher tool. It's just as good as the higher-end systems. The program allows for parametric modeling, which is so helpful in designing from scratch. You will not do it perfect the first time, and parametric modeling with properly-used dimensional and geometric allows for faster modifications on the fly.
5. How do you teach this software to someone new? The tutorial is one way--they can learn at their own pace. If doing it one-on-one or small groups, teach them Sketcher and Modeling basics, then introduce small parts and projects to develope their expertise--nothing makes a designer better more than experience. Print-reading should also be incorporated, with drawing generation towards the end.
6. What companies do you know that use this software? I know of none.
7. Please list the tools that you would show in a 5-7 minute demonstration? Sketcher, Extrude, Holes, Fillets, Edit Sketch, Edit Feature, Assemblies, Assembly Constraints
8. Is there anything else you can think of that is of importance? Never go to bed angry...She's always right, you're always wrong--accept this and life will be easier...Wait, you mean about Inventor...sorry...even if other companies don't use Inventor, understanding the basic concepts of modeling, constraints, and parametrics will translate into every CAD program out there--the commands may be called something different, but they're all the same in the end.
9. What is your primary CAD software? At work, it's Unigraphics, currently UG/NX3, with some jobs in CATIA v5.

Hope this helps out...

[Andy A.]

Originally Posted by Molten

1. What makes you a professional?(how long you have used it, awards, jobs, etc...)

So far I've used CAD software in two jobs, including my current. One was a summer internship as a machinist at a hospital supporting the research staff and general maintenance. Typical CAD jobs consisted of prototyping new surgical equipment and test apparatus, generating prints of complex part features and documenting interesting things that came out of the shop for publication. I was the first person on staff able to use CAD and I like to think I made some positive changes.

My current job is at a company that manufacturers consumer level robots. My typical uses of Inventor are to document the existing designs as 3d models (as opposed to 2d autocad prints), and to help evolve the current designs through incremental changes and refinements. For instance many of the parts used are injection molded. Many of the molds are quite old and due to be replaced soon. So I am currently involved in refining the mold design to help speed up cycle time and remove some long standing defects. I use Inventor to generate the molds and some 3rd party software to simulate the injection and cooling process. It's way cool and just a little over my head. I'm learning quick though.

Originally Posted by Molten

2. What is the greatest advantage Inventor has over other drafting softwares?

These days theres a lot of convergence in the mid level software. There really isn't a whole lot of difference in Solidworks and Inventor. What is there is mostly a matter of preference, and preference is largely based on what you learned to use first. I started with Inventor, and my employer decided to buy it, so I've not used Solidworks enough to really give a good side by side comparison. It's far more common, so it's obviously good.

I think Inventor benefits a lot from autoCAD. Autodesk has a lot of experience in the industry and a built in network of users and company's supporting the brand. So there are lot of classes you can attend and a lot of web based support forums and such. Solidworks is probably fine in this respect, but I've never run into it.

I think it also has a pretty 'clean' interface that lets you put up a lot of tools while still maintaining a large work area. It also lets me move a good many of the tool bars and menus to a second screen, something solidworks isn't as good at. I think both programs need better dual monitor support though.

Originally Posted by Molten

3. How would you describe the thought process used with CAD?

My own process when creating a part or assembly from scratch is to consider how it will be made in the shop. From there I can construct the part in Inventor in a similar fashion. I think this helps me avoid creating features that are difficult or impossible to actually manufacture or just plain useless (are those fillets really needed?).

Over all we use CAD because it's (potentialy) faster then drafting by hand in the long run. So in that sense the thought process is about speed; how to do it faster, how to do it cheaper.

I'm lucky to be in the industry now and not 50 years ago. I can't draw by hand to save my life. So I'm always thinking 'thank you whoever dreamed this software up so I don't have to draw this crazy section!'

Originally Posted by Molten

4. What is your favorite tool and why?

My most used is the general dimension tool. It's pretty obvious why, but hey, nothing gets done with out it. So you learn to love it even if it isn't terribly sexy.

My favorite would have to be the symmetric constraint. So often we have to design things that are symmetric, or have symmetric features. This little guy saves me an enormous amount of time both during initial drafting and during revisions.

I also like the circular and rectangular pattern tools as well.

Originally Posted by Molten

5. How do you teach this software to someone new?

I've never had the need. However, I think the best approach is one that very slowly evolves in complexity. I'm not a big fan of dumping every possible tool and feature on me when learning a new program, so I think I'd probably teach assuming everyone else is the same. I imagine at least the first hour of real instruction would revolve solely around working with sketches before ever doing something 3d.

After that, I guess I would slowly introduce each feature in turn. Part of that would include demonstration of how to properly annotate each new feature in a drawing. I don't think you can properly teach any CAD software if you don't devote equal time to print generation as you do model generation. One is useless with out the other.

All this assumes that the person I'm teaching already has a solid basis in design. Otherwise it's like teaching me Photoshop- I can learn what the buttons do but I can't apply them and I won't understand 90% of what I'm told.

Of course I'm still learning this stuff, and will always be. I wouldn't feel comfortable teaching anyone yet.

Originally Posted by Molten

6. What companies do you know that use this software? (if any)

Right now only the one I work for. I know that Solidworks is the dominate package in the class, but Inventor is still widely used. Larger companies like Bosch or Black and Decker probably use a mixture of Pro/E, Catia and other high level programs based on project needs.

Originally Posted by Molten

7. Please list the tools that you would show in a 5-7 minute demonstration?(for them to understand, not to be able to use)

I would probably demonstrate a simple sketch, extrusion of a block and placement of a hole. I would then create a corresponding peg that's dimensions are dependent on the hole. Then create a quick drawing of both. Then demonstrate that when the hole size changes, so does the peg and so does the drawings, all by changing one dimension. I hope this would convey the true power of parametric CAD- the ability to quickly and easily make changes to models and drawings.

If I were demonstrating the program to some young students or someone who'd never seen CAD software I might just make a simple a part and then incorporate all the really flashy features into it like sweeps, revolves and lofts. I would also like to have a fairly complex assembly that I can then drive in order to show how Inventor can be used to demonstrate a complex working device. That always gets lots of ooohs and aaaahhhs.

Originally Posted by Molten

8. Is there anything else you can think of that is of importance?

Speed is life in this job (mine anyways). I've got to do everything faster and cheaper then the guy in China I replaced. I've also got to do it better and avoid the problems that lead to my being hired in the first place. But hopefully I'll do my job right, and in 10 years when all the products need to be changed around I'll be able to do it quickly and efficiently. Better yet, I'll be able to have a intern do it for me. I like that idea.

Originally Posted by Molten

9. What is your primary CAD software?

At work I use Inventor v11. At home I have Inventor v10, and a student version of Solidworks 06. I like both, but Inventor gets more use because it's a full version and my work is already in the right format. I wish I could cherry pick elements of both and make the perfect modeling software. For instance I really like COSMOS, and I don't like the equivalent in Inventor.

I hope all that helps. I'm still pretty 'green' in the industry, but I'm making my own little dent.

-Andy A.