Ellipsis

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  Ellipsis is the official blog of Autodesk's Technical Evangelist Team. We will discuss all things design and manufacturing related with a focus on industries such as automotive and transportation, consumer products, industrial machinery and building product manufacturing and fabrication. We also have resident experts who will blog about specific product developments in CAD, Simulation, Industrial Design and Data Management.

  We look forward to providing you, our user community, with the most relevant and up to date developments in our industry, and hopefully with information that will assist you in doing your job better, faster, and more precisely.

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  YouTube Question
  November 5, 2009 11:57 AMby Rob Cohee

  Every now and again I get a question like this. What's the difference between Inventor and [insert CAD software here]. Fundamentally it comes down to standards, analysis, documentation, motion, collaboration, that makes a difference as I see it. Read on:

  Q: OK...I know you're biased...but can you be "Candid" and tell me why Inventor is better/easier than using SketchUp Pro? I haven't tried Inventor but I use SU professionally with great results...but inventor is making me scratch my head. Your thoughts?....

  My Answer: SketchUp is a geometry creation tool where Autodesk Inventor is an engineering tool. FEA, Part Libraries (750,000+ standard components), Sheet Metal part creation and flat patterns, Tube and Pipe, Cable Harness, Document in 2D DWG directly from the 3D model. I could go on and on, and that's not being biased - just honest.

  Sure you can create 3D solids with SketchUp, but is it the right size, the right material based upon its application, can you create 2D DWG's from the model, can you test the strength or fatigue of a part in an assembly while in motion? That's the difference between a geometry creation tool and an engineering tool.

  So, was I biased? (This is the interactive portion of this blog...really I'm looking for your thoughts....)

  -Rob

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  Autodesk Alias Design - From the Beginning Lesson1 - Part 5
  October 26, 2009 04:03 PMby Chris Hall

  This videos demonstrates how canvas planes can be used and also viewed in Autodesk Alias Design.

   

  You can download the files used in Lesson 1 from this link:

  files/34701_34800/34701/file_34701.zip

  Here is a tip card for you to reference as you are learning also:

  files/34701_34800/34711/file_34711.pdf

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  Ellipsis Representin' at Autodesk University
  October 16, 2009 01:01 PMby Rob Cohee

  I know, it’s a rough assignment…Vegas every year, classes, crowds, food, fun – whoa is me… HA! I love Vegas it never gets old. Remember when we had it in Orlando? I took the kids…happiest place on earth my – anyway back to the point. The MFG Technical Evangelist team will all be representin’ this year at AU. You’ll be able to track us down at the Manufacturing Lounge, and the Community Pavilion, and of course our classes. Each of us have at least two classes and they break down as follows:
  Jay Tedeschi
  MA118-5 Digital Prototyping: The Rosetta Stone
  http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=e_class&session_id=5396
  Class Description: The Rosetta Stone was instrumental in gaining an understanding of Egyptian hieroglyphic writing. Today that term has become synonymous with something that is a critical key to decrypting or translating a difficult problem. This class will help you understand the Digital Prototyping process, and how it is more approachable and attainable than you may think. You already have the tools. Now we are going to show you how to use them.

  MA208-4 Surface Modeling From A to Z with Autodesk Inventor 2010 
  http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=e_class&session_id=5392

  Class Description: We will focus on a look at surface modeling from the ground up with Autodesk Inventor 2010. Improvements to the sketching environment, especially those dealing with splines and their effect resultant surfaces, will be explained and demonstrated. Different approaches to building surfaces, and ensuring that the desired surface properties (e.g., curvature, tangency, etc.) are maintained, will be emphasized. Best practices with regard to all of the elements of a successful surfacing strategy will be stressed throughout.
  Rob Cohee
  MA122-3 The Convergence of BIM and Digital Prototyping
  http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=e_class&session_id=5176
  Class Description: Building product and equipment manufacturers are on the front lines of both building information modeling (BIM) and digital prototyping. When strategically applied, BIM and digital prototyping complement each other to the extent that the information required to create and relay architectural and engineering intent as well as manufacturing, construction, and assembly levels of detail occur as a matter of consequence, and not as a reinterpretation of intent at each phase of construction and manufacturing. This class will explore how building product and equipment manufacturers can utilize the Autodesk portfolio of software products to collaborate with architects, engineers, and builders in the fluid exchange of BIM-ready design.
  MA318-1 Building Fabrication: A Peek Behind the Curtain…Wall
  http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=e_class&session_id=5184
  Class Description: Increasingly ambitious building designs, the growing technical complexity of modern building envelopes, concern for more sustainable design, and mounting economic pressures are all leading the building industry to seek more efficient processes that improve predictability and control within a building project. The fabrication of building components is becoming increasingly prevalent in architecture, thus challenging ideas as to what is possible, how project information is created and consumed; and challenging the overall building industry to reevaluate its processes to become a more predictable, sustainable, and environmentally responsible business. This class will illustrate how Autodesk is addressing the digital exchange of design intent throughout the building process.
  Justin Hoey
  MA314-3 Improving a Da Vinci Design Using Autodesk Inventor
  http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=e_class&session_id=5098
  Class Description: Let's take a look at what we can do to make one of Leonardo Da Vinci's designs faster, better, and stronger! We'll use digital prototyping with Autodesk Inventor Pro and Algor.
  MA122-1 Sustainable Product Design in Digital Prototyping
  http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=e_class&session_id=5358
  Class Description: The same Autodesk® digital prototyping software that manufacturers use to design, visualize and simulate their ideas can also enable customers to innovate in sustainable ways. These include saving energy and optimizing material use. Walk through a digital prototyping workflow, learning how designers and engineers can leverage technology to design and engineer greener—from conceptual design through to manufacturing—with less environmental impact.
  Chris Hall
  DV204-1 Advanced Visualization Using Autodesk Showcase and Maya
  http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=e_class&session_id=5247
  Class Description: As visualization expands, the need to add more movement and realism is increasing in demand. We will look at how to use Autodesk Showcase and Autodesk Maya together to create simple to complex animations.
  MA218-5 Digital Manufacturing: Know It’s Right Before It Leaves the Building
  http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=e_class&session_id=5302
  Class Description: It is very important that new products are not only innovative but also aesthetically appealing. The complexity of manufacturing processes and current economic pressures are leading manufacturers to seek dramatic improvements in processes and tools that improve product quality and time to market. With rapid technology and software advancements, are you taking  full advantage of the software tools available today? Learn how Autodesk® tools and processes can dramatically improve your design process, reduce physical prototype costs, reduce tooling changes late in the manufacturing cycle and improve product quality.
  Brian Sather
  MA208-1L Plastic Part and Mold Design Validation Using Autodesk Moldflow Software
  http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=e_class&session_id=5350
  Class Description: Autodesk Moldflow software products are proven solutions that assist in validating plastic part and mold designs for manufacturability, quality, cost, and sustainability. Learn how extending digital prototyping into the realm of part and mold simulation can help you make good decisions early in your design process. We will examine variables, such as plastic choice, wall thickness, gate location, runner layout, etc., while analyzing the filling and cooling of the mold.
  MA222-1 Injection Mold Design Using Autodesk Inventor Tooling
  http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=e_class&session_id=5468
  Class Description: This class will walk attendees through the process of designing, analyzing, and validating a plastics injection mold using Autodesk Inventor Tooling. We will cover everything from automatic core and cavity generation to utilizing the built-in Moldflow simulation technology and standard libraries of mold components to quickly and effectively design a high-quality production mold.
  Jamie Gilchrist
  ID208-1 Confluence: The Merging of Industrial Design and Engineering
  http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=e_class&session_id=5340
  Class Description: This class will show you how to successfully integrate Autodesk Alias Design data into your Inventor engineering development.

  MA222-3 The New Kid in Town: Autodesk Inventor in Consumer Products
  http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=e_class&session_id=5347

  Class Description: Learn how Autodesk Inventor can serve the Consumer Products industry in the design and development process. See how our technologies have been integrated into Inventor to provide you with a powerful tool to develop your products all the way from initial form to tooling design.

  Kevin Richards

  ID 314-1 Creative Shape Exploration in Autodesk Inventor
  http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=e_class&session_id=5431

  Class Description: Bridge the gap between freeform surface development and solid modeling in Inventor. This class will look into a new technology that will revolutionize the form exploration capabilities of your digital prototype.

  We're doing some fun things with our YouTube Channels, Twitter, 12SecondTV and more. Want to tell your colleagues how much your learning at AU? Track one of us down...just might make you famous! See you at Autodesk University.

  -Rob

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  Autodesk Alias Design - From the Beginning Lesson1 - Part 4
  October 14, 2009 01:10 PMby Chris Hall

  This video covers creating a project directory structure in Autodesk Alias Design. By using a the proper directory structure your files are organized correctly and you are less likely to have missing file links as your project matures.
  
  
  
  

  User_data

  The user_data directory is created by Autodesk Alias Design and will be re-created if you delete it. If you store all your data in the user_data directory, then it will be easy to locate and organize using the Autodesk Alias Design file tools.

  However, you may want to store your data on a network server, or a memory stick. This is no problem, but it is advised that you create your own user_data directory and keep the project structure the same underneath.

  Project

  The idea of a Project is important because an AliasStudio model file may contain many different types of information, which reference each other, in particular images (pix) and geometry (wire).

  Wire Directory

  This is the directory you will use most of the time, and it is where you store your geometry files. However, a geometry file that is used for rendering or concept sketching will reference image files, which will be stored separately in the pix directory.

  Pix Directory

  The pix directory is where you will store images that you reference (texture files, sketches) AND images that you create (renderings).

   

  The Concept of a Current Project

  As you do more work in AliasStudio, you will have more and more projects. To make life easier for yourself, you can tell AliasStudio which one is your current project. This will then become the default for all your saving and filing. Most importantly though, it is where any crash files will be saved, so it is useful to know where to go and look for the saved data.

  Current Project and Image File References

  Another good reason for setting the Current Project is the pix directory of the current project will be the default location where AliasStudio looks for the image files.

  New Project

  The New Project button simply creates a directory with all the subdirectories. You will need to rename the project as it will be given the default name of ‘new_project’. 

  You can download the files used in Lesson 1 from this link:

  files/34701_34800/34701/file_34701.zip

  Here is a tip card for you to reference as you are learning also:

  files/34701_34800/34711/file_34711.pdf

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  From Bland to Bold.....
  October 12, 2009 08:28 AMby Chris Hall

  I was working on my Autodesk University 2009 class this weekend and I thought I would capture the over all flow of how I took a model with not alot of color and turned it into a nice bold image.

  This model is available for download at this site:

  www.thecgizone.com/

  I was also having a little fun with Adobe After Effects CS4

   

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  Autodesk Alias Design - From the Beginning
  October 8, 2009 09:48 AMby Chris Hall

  We recently added a downloadable trial version of Autodesk Alias Design.  With this trial becoming available I thought it was important to create a video series on Autodesk Alias Design that focused on the foundations of using Autodesk Alias Design.  There will be mulitple lesson's that each have a set of supporting videos that help create a foundation for using the software.  I hope these videos help you in developing a solid foundation with Autodesk Alias Design.

  Download Trial Link:

  usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index

  These first 3 videos focus on the interface of Autodesk Alias Design. 

  Lesson1 - Part 1 - This video focuses on what the interface looks like when you first install the software.  We will make some modifications to the interface to improve your initial user experience.

  Lesson 1 - Part 2 - This video focuses on navigating the Autodesk Alias Design Interface. 

  Here is a tip image on Navigation to help with Lesson 1 - Part 2

  

  Lesson 1 - Part 3 - This video focuses on working with the perspective and orthographic windows.  We look at options such as maximizing your current view window as well as using hot keys to control your current view window.

  You can download the files used in Lesson 1 from this link:

  files/34701_34800/34701/file_34701.zip

  Here is a tip card for you to reference as you are learning also:

  files/34701_34800/34711/file_34711.pdf

  If you are ready to keep going you can view the rest of Lesson 1 at this playlist link:

  www.youtube.com/view_play_list

  Part 4 - Using the Project Directory Structure
  Part 5 - Intro on how to use Canvas Planes
  Part 6 - Zooming around your scene
  Part 7 - Point of Interest
  Part 8 - Picking Objects
  Part 9 - Managing your scene with Layers

  There will be future blog posts on the "From The Beginning Series"  so stay tuned!

  Chris

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  Autodesk Showcase - Adding Materials to your Scene
  October 7, 2009 12:37 PMby Chris Hall

  This video focuses on adding materials to your objects in the scene.  By combining Environments and materials together in your scene, your design will begin to take on a level of realism as it might appear in the real world.

  
  This is the fifth installment in a series of videos that show how to author a Autodesk Inventor Assembly in Autodesk Showcase. This video continues where part 1 left off in adding materials to your objects in the scene.
  By combining Environments and materials together in your scene, your design will begin to take on a level of realism as it might appear in the real world.

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  Autodesk Inventor 1:44 Bend Part
  October 6, 2009 06:01 PMby Justin Hoey

  It has been a little while since my last video post . So here it is. This time we are taking a look at the” bend part” command. This is definitely an underused feature, and I think that it really is captured here, how useful it can be Enjoy!

   

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  Autodesk Showcase: Adding an Environment to your scene
  October 5, 2009 02:24 PMby Chris Hall

  This is the third installment in a series of videos that shows how to author a Autodesk Inventor Assembly in Autodesk Showcase. This video focuses on adding an environment to your scene.
  Environments let you view models in various contexts, such as white rooms, photo studios, or photographic scenes. Each environment will contribute to the lighting, shadows, reflections and visible background in the scene.

   

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  The same, but different...
  October 1, 2009 09:30 AMby Jay Tedeschi

  The same, but different... let me explain.  So, the same problem we were discussing for the last couple of weeks, namely, working with data from other sources.  If you recall, I had covered working with data from a vendor from whom I was buying components for our re-design.  This week, the problem is the same, but different in that in this case I am working not with a purchased component, but rather with an assembly that was created with a different design tool than the one I happen to use.

  In the best of conditions, this presents something of a challenge, but when we find ourselves needing to change the design in some way, the level of complexity quickly increases.  Autodesk Inventor Fusion was built from the ground up to facilitate the toughest of these type of design challenges.  In this, the first of several posts featuring Inventor Fusion, we will take a look at some basic assembly manipulation and modeling techniques.

  If you remember last week we finished up working on the Caster Wheel "Assembly" that we downloaded from our vendors web site.  Well now we are going to work on the brake assembly that attaches to two of those wheels... this was originally created in Pro/E, which is not a problem for us as we can open the .asm file natively.  Once open we can see that the existing torsion spring is not going to work in our new configuration, so we will select the body from the assembly, and then from the marking menu select "Isolate" to suppress all but the spring.

  

  I can now make several non feature based edits to this part, quickly and easily.  As these changes are symmetric, I will split the part, then correct for rotation and position with the Move command.  Here I am moving the body along its mount axis so that it fits correctly in the bearing block.

  

  Now we can address some of the feature lengths, but again, not via a feature edit, but rather with a direct manipulation of the feature face.  For example, as you can see in the figure above, the length of this element is a bit more than is required, so Press/Pull functionality is used to select the capping face and then press into the model, shortening the element.  As we split and then moved the entire body away from the center plane of symmetry, the split face is now short of the center plane by the amount of that first move.  Press/Pull is used here again, but in this instance I will select the symmetry plane after picking the capping face, and the pulled face "snaps" to that plane.

  

  Finally, the corrected spring is mirrored about the symmetry plane and the assembly saved for use back in the top level assembly.

  

  The thing that really hits you with Fusion is how absolutely easy it is to use.  The entire edit sequence shown above took no more than a couple of minutes... Don't take my word for it... check out the entire session for yourself in this video I shot.  As always, if you have any questions or suggestions I would love to hear them.

  Ciao'

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