Autodesk Inventor is a computer-aided design extension application for 3D mechanical design, simulation, visualization, and documentation developed by Autodesk.[1]
Features
Inventor allows analyzing 2D and 3D CAD models by creating a virtual representation of the final product in order to validate the form, fit, and functioning before it is built.[2]
Autodesk Inventor supports parametric, direct edit, freeform modeling part modeling, and assembly modeling. It provides support for various CAD formats and standard DWG drawings. Autodesk also offers another 3D CAD/CAM software, Fusion.[3]
The software can be licensed as a subscription or through pre-paid Flex Tokens (daily use, consumption-based). Autodesk Inventor Professional is also a part of a collection license Autodesk Product Design & Manufacturing Collection. Autodesk Inventor competes directly with SolidWorks, Solid Edge, and Creo.
Editions
The latest Autodesk Inventor product line includes the following software titles:[4][5]
Autodesk Inventor LT 2021 (discontinued)
Autodesk Inventor Professional 2026
File formats
Exports:
.iam - Assembly file
.ipt - Part file
.idw, .dwg - Drawing file
.ipn - Presentation file
Imports:
Inventor imports most types of foreign CAD formats
Release dates and names
Version
Internal number
Code name
Date of release
What's New
1
1
Mustang
September 20, 1999
2
2
Thunderbird
March 1, 2000
3
3
Camaro
August 1, 2000
4
4
Corvette
December 1, 2000
5
5
Durango
September 17, 2001
5.3
5.3
Prowler
January 30, 2002
6
6
Viper
October 15, 2002
7
7
Wrangler
April 18, 2003
New DWG Support for AutoCAD 2004, Autodesk Express Viewer Compatibility, Large-Assembly Design Performance
8
8
Cherokee
October 15, 2003
9
9
Crossfire
July 15, 2004
10
10
Freestyle
April 6, 2005
Task Scheduler, Inventor Studio, Associative import of Mechanical Desktop data, Design Accelerators, Assembly constraints use colors to differentiate between the first and second constraint selection.
Provides easier ways to interact with 3D mechanical design data; new opportunities for sharing, accepting and updating CAD data regardless of source and complexity; and high-impact performance and productivity improvements for both users and IT departments
Model Based Definition, expanded AnyCAD support, large assembly performance improvements, simplification/shrinkwrap enhancements, multiple rules for sheet metal parts, mesh support in drawing views
Performance improvements, large assembly performance improvements, shared view collaboration, expanded hole command, iLogic enhancements, model-based definition, improved part modeling workflows, and sheet metal for manufacturing
Autodesk Inventor 2023 is packed with customer-driven updates and enhancements to help you speed up your design workflows, reduce repetitive tasks, and improve experiences so you can focus more time on design and innovation.
