AutoCAD 2010 - Parametric Drawing

[ReMark]

Anyone here actually using this feature? If so, could you give us an example of what you are using it for? Also share your opinions about the feature (useful/not-so-useful) and whether or not you'll continue to use it in the future. All input gratefully appreciated.

 

I just started exploring this feature yesterday and went through the tutorial Design with Parametric Contraints in AutoCAD 2010 as found at the AutoDesk website. If interested here is a link to get you started.

 

http://www.autodesk.com/autocad-tutorials

[JD Mather]

I did a few examples in class last semester. Found it to be very painful compared to Inventor. If they are trying to introduce users to paramtrics so that they won't be afraid of the verticals I think they have done just the opposite for most.

I'll see if I can come up with some examples from AU 2009.

[ReMark]

Thanks JDM. I'd be grateful for anything you might have access to.

 

The tutorial from AutoDesk was pretty basic and the supplied example drawings were simplistic at best. But at least I got some exposure to geometric and dimensional constraints.

[JBullseye74]

Remark....

 

I had a play with this and linked a horizontal setting out drawing to the elevation below with the collinear constraint.... so when i changed the setting out the panel joints would update automatially. although i found it really slowed my drawing down... haven't used them since!

Struggling to see what else i can use it for to be honest..... i also tried to do a basic bracket fabrication drawing and link all the parametric constraints to the parameters manager (think thats right) so when you changed a dim in the table it updated the fab drawing... i got so far but then failed when the drawing got more complex. Maybe have another go when i get some more time.

[rocneasta]

Since i haven't had the experience of inventor i must say HOOOOORAY for parametric constraints

 

I haven't seen some advanced examples of use but to me this is like having a simplified dynamic block features in a basic geometry and adding constraints is sometimes as easy as Autoconstrain!

 

keeping correlation and values of geometry segments why you edit or change it, looks good to me. Ofc without seeing the implementation into real hard core examples i can't start wearing GCON t-shirt yet, but i'm enthusiastic about this feature

[kencaz]

I found the 2010 constraints fun to play with but I don't really have a need for them in AutoCAD. As JD stated, compared to Inventor they are really a pain, however, they are two different programs so a comparison as this is kinda void.

 

I do wish, however that Autodesk leave the parametrics out of AutoCAD and lean more towards implementing some of Inventors Annotation and layout capabilities.It is so much easier to create section and detail views in Inventor.

 

I often find myself importing my AutoCAD files into Inventor just to dimension.

 

KC

[ReMark]

kencaz: Could you elaborate a bit more on Inventor's annotation and layout capabilities? How do they differ from that of AutoCAD?

[kencaz]

kencaz: Could you elaborate a bit more on Inventor's annotation and layout capabilities? How do they differ from that of AutoCAD?

 

Here are a couple of examples of how Inventor is laid out. You really don't have to create viewports just drop in plan or isometric view and arrange them any way you like without having to worry about overlapping your vports or having to move or create additional.

 

 

Inventor creates the detail views for you just select the view and draw a circle around the object and it creates cut lines and the detail text for you.

 

 

Section views are a breeze. No creating section planes or drawing polyline variable width arrows and center lines. just pick the view draw one line where you want the section and Inventor cut's it for you, creates the hatching, and writes the text. In the above example I created the section view then created the detail view from the sectioned detail.

 

 

Also, something nice about inventor is you can create blow-up views pretty easily and automatically which you would really have to struggle in AutoCAD. This last comparison is not really fair because Inventor uses the constraints from your model to create the view.

 

I am not dissing AutoCAD in any way, and I really like doing 3D in AutoCAD but it's getting harder to justify when there are programs like inventor out their.

 

Here is another example. I created the same part in Inventor Then in AutoCAD. Inventor was easier but AutoCAD is still fun...

 

Inventor

 

Autocad

 

 

KC