Inventor Solid Modeling and Lab

Course Description

ETD2357C – Inventor Solid Modeling and Lab is a beginning course in 3D solid modeling using Autodesk Inventor software. Students explore parametric design philosophy through a hands-on, practice-intensive curriculum covering part modeling, assembly design, and engineering drawing production. Topics include the generation of engineering drawings and animated presentations from part and assembly models. This is a combined lecture and laboratory course (3 credit hours).

This course is part of the Engineering Design Drafting taxonomy within Engineering Technologies and is a core component of the Digital Design and Modeling specialization at Florida colleges offering Engineering Technology programs.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Navigate and configure the Autodesk Inventor user interface, including panels, browser bar, and file types.
• Create, constrain, and dimension 2D parametric sketches using geometric and dimensional constraints.
• Generate 3D solid base features (extrusions, revolves) from 2D sketches.
• Create and edit secondary solid features, both sketched (cuts, ribs) and placed (fillets, chamfers, holes).
• Produce multi-part assembly models by placing and constraining components using assembly constraints.
• Create annotated engineering drawing views (orthographic, section, detail, auxiliary) with dimensions and notes in compliance with industry standards.
• Generate presentation files including exploded assembly views and animated sequences.
• Apply industry drafting standards (ASME/ANSI) in the development of technical mechanical drawings.

Optional Outcomes

The following outcomes may be included depending on course depth and instructor emphasis:

• Create and evaluate parametric equations and design parameters to build intelligence into models.
• Simulate motion and mechanical relationships within assemblies.
• Perform basic surface modeling including lofts and sweeps.
• Extract model mass properties and measurements for engineering analysis.
• Create and edit an assembly Bill of Materials (BOM) and parts list.
• Utilize adaptive features and design accelerators within assemblies.
• Manage project files and implement data management practices.

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following topics are commonly covered across all Florida college offerings of this course:

1. Autodesk Inventor Interface Overview – Application menu, ribbon, browser, ViewCube, and file types (.ipt, .iam, .idw, .ipn).
2. 2D Sketch Environment – Sketch tools, geometric and dimensional constraints, sketch analysis.
3. Base Feature Creation – Extrude, revolve; defining a solid from a 2D profile.
4. Secondary Feature Creation – Sketched features (cuts, ribs, coils); placed features (hole, fillet, chamfer, shell, face draft).
5. Part Modeling Best Practices – Feature order and dependencies, editing the feature timeline (browser tree).
6. Assembly Modeling – Placing components, applying assembly constraints (mate, flush, angle, tangent), degrees of freedom.
7. Presentation Files (Exploded Views) – Creating tweaks, animated explode sequences.
8. Engineering Drawing Production – Base, projected, section, detail, and auxiliary views; title block; dimension styles; GD&T basics; balloon callouts.
9. Bill of Materials – Auto-populated BOM tables, parts lists, item balloons.

Optional Topics

The following topics may be included based on course schedule and instructor discretion:

• Parametric Equations and iProperties – Driving model dimensions with formulas and linked spreadsheets.
• Pattern and Duplicate Geometry – Rectangular, circular, and mirror patterns for parts and features.
• Resolving Feature and Sketch Failures – Error diagnosis, editing failed features in the browser.
• Motion Simulation – Contact sets, joint types, and basic dynamic simulation within assemblies.
• Surface and Freeform Modeling Basics – Loft, sweep, and boundary patch features.
• Adaptive Design – In-place assembly features, adaptive parts, and top-down design methodology.
• iLogic Fundamentals – Rule-based design automation.
• File and Project Management – Inventor project files (.ipj), Vault basics, design data management workflows.

Resources & Tools

• Software: Autodesk Inventor (current academic version) — available free to students through the Autodesk Education Community.
• Textbook: Autodesk Inventor: Introduction to Solid Modeling (ASCENT / Autodesk Official Training Guide, current edition).
• Hardware: Workstation-class computer with dedicated GPU, 16 GB RAM recommended; available in campus CAD labs.
• Autodesk Learning Resources: Autodesk Knowledge Network, Inventor online help, and tutorial libraries.
• Standards Reference: ASME Y14.5 (Dimensioning and Tolerancing) and ASME Y14.100 (Engineering Drawing Practices).

Career Pathways

Completion of ETD2357C supports entry into or advancement within the following career areas:

• CAD/CAM Technician – Produces 3D models and drawings for manufacturing environments.
• Mechanical Drafter – Creates detailed part and assembly drawings for engineering teams.
• Product Design Technician – Supports new product development using parametric solid modeling.
• Manufacturing Engineering Technician – Models tooling, fixtures, and production components.
• Engineering Technologist – Applies digital design tools in support of licensed engineers across industries such as aerospace, automotive, and industrial manufacturing.

This course articulates into the Engineering Technology A.S. degree (Digital Design and Modeling specialization) and the Computer-Aided Design and Drafting certificate at Florida state colleges. The A.S. degree is fully transferable to four-year Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology (BSET) programs.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

Coursework in ETD2357C is specifically designed to prepare students for the Autodesk Inventor Certified User examination. This industry-recognized credential validates proficiency in Inventor part modeling, assembly design, and drawing creation and is administered by Autodesk through Certiport testing centers.

Students seeking certification should review the official Autodesk Certification exam objectives and ensure practice with all tested skill areas including sketch constraints, feature editing, assembly constraints, and drawing annotation.

Lab Component

The "C" suffix in the course ID (ETD2357C) denotes a combined lecture/laboratory course. Lab sessions provide hands-on time at a CAD workstation to complete modeling exercises, projects, and applied assessments that reinforce lecture concepts. Students should expect a significant portion of contact hours to be spent in guided and independent lab work.