Invent-IT

I was browsing the web and came across some interesting software written by an old colleague of mine. A lot of people often ask me how they can track time spent on certain documents, designs and drawings.

Up to recently we could only supply the check-in and check-out state of a drawing if you were using Autodesk Vault.

Dataworx , has designed a free standing application that not only tracks which application has been active, but can also report on the document that was active as well as the actual time spent in mouse and keystrokes and passive time spent just having the document open.

Timelogger by Dataworx also comes with robust tools for reporting and analysing your data.

You have the ability to track everything from websites, Autodesk Documents as well as Microsoft Office documents.

This is ideal to prove time spent on doing work as well as an excellent management tool for the drawing office.

Check them out at http://www.dataworxsoftware.co.za/dataworx_timelog/default.html

Till next time,

Jay Moolman

Just some feedback from our User Group last night

inventor-user-group.pdf

I found an interesting article on Inventor Connections regarding Simulation, whereby Keith Meintjies PHD and Ken Versprille PhD of CPDA discuss what trends will be shaping the analysis and simulation industry in the near future.  

Simulating the Future 

Meintjes explained that one of the big promises made by the analysis and simulation industry has always been a solution that allows CAD designers, rather than formally trained analysts, the ability to perform design flaw simulations early in the design phase. “The analysis companies have been promising this for years and it’s been slow in coming. The problem is for something like this to work the CAE (computer-aided engineering) tool needs to be very simple to use,” he explained. “More importantly the person using the engineering program needs to have a solid understanding of the engineering question.”

To read the rest of the article click here

Exploring I-Properties and Parameters 

This session provides an overview of how the Inventor Application Programming Interface (API) works. It begins with a brief introduction of some basic API concepts and then puts them into practice using iProperties and Parameters. iProperties and Parameters are two of the most used areas of Inventor and are also commonly accessed through the programming interface. The use of the API will be demonstrated and example programs that use these concepts will be shown

Date: 26th August 2009

Cost: Free

Time: 17:30 for 18:00

Place: 10 Cambridge Road, Bryanston

To book yourself a spot, please email Cindy on sales2@modena.co.za or call 011 463 1553

Modena Design Centres has launched a new website where you are able to purchase Software Bundles, Training Courses, ect.

Take a look: Modena Shop

For those who missed the User Group on Wednesday, here is the documentation that was discussed: cp211-2-customizing-autodesk-inventor.pdf

Hitting the trail, getting muddy and picking flies out of your teeth are what mountain bikes are all about. Frances Corbet takes a look at how Marin Bikes, one of the industry’s pioneers, is driving innovation with Autodesk Inventor

In recent times technology has become an even more critical tool in driving the company forward and three years ago Martin integrated 3D into it’s design and development processes.

“Although we had used AutoCAD for years to achieve superior design performance, we saw Inventor as the natural  progression to stay ahead of the technology curve and keep making improvements to our bikes,” says Faircloth

 Click here to download the articles - Martin Bikes

(Courtesy from Manufacturing Community)

Modena Moment of Madness

Upgrade to any of these superior packages

• Inventor Suite 2010

• Revit Architecture 2010

• Revit Structure 2010

• Revit MEP 2010

• AutoCAD Electrical 2010

• AutoCAD P&ID 2010

• Civil 3D 2010

for only R25 000, including subscriptions, until the 15th October 2009. This special applies to the following packages:

Autodesk Software

You are now able to upgrade from any previous version of your Autodesk software of your Autodesk Software, including old AutoCAD LT’s

Competitive Software

The CAD Packages, any version of the package provided it was purchased before the 1st of July (you would need to show proof of purchasing). These packages include Solidworks, Solid Edge, ArchiCAD, ZWCAD, Genesis, Microstation, TurboCAD, Caddie, Pro-Engineer.

To take advantage of this special, you would need to trade in your current CAD package & sign a trade-in agreement.

*Terms & Conditions apply

If you are not sure if your software qualifies for this special, or if you want more information contact Modena on 011 463 1553 or email queries@modena.co.za

This coming Wednesday without fail, we will be having our Inventor User Group, with the topic of Customizing your Inventor

An overview of how customization can improve user productivity with Autodesk Inventor. The session will cover topics from keyboard customization through implementing a custom product configurator with Autodesk Intent™.

• Customize the Autodesk Inventor UI to speed model and drawing creation
• Tips on everyday customization (e.g. How to use iFeatures to store commonly used sketches and geometry)
• Writing macros to automate common or complex tasks
• Comparing add-ins to macros: which is best and when
• Complete product customization through Autodesk Intent

Details are as follows:

Date: 29 July 09

Place: 10 Cambridge Road, Bryanston

Cost: FREE

Time: 17:30 for 18:00

To book yourself a spot email Cindy on sales2@modena.co.za

Think green by considering sustainability early in your design process. The Sustainable Materials Assistant for Autodesk Inventor helps manufacturers make more responsible material choices that can reduce their product’s environmental impact while still meeting critical performance requirements.

• Does my design contain toxic materials?
• Is it made of recyclable materials?
• What is its carbon footprint?

The Sustainable Materials Assistant delivers:

• Expanded Inventor materials library with fields to add sustainability properties of commonly used materials
• Sustainability Reports to analyze and document the environmental impact of selected materials
• Capabilities to calculate the carbon footprint of your entire design

To download the software click here