I have used Autocad since the early 90's mainly doing 2D work and switched to 3D in 2000.  Since then I have done mainly 3D work, about 60% in Inventor and the balance in Autocad depending on my client requirements.  Another point that is forgotten is that the 3D model is only a means to an end....in the final part you still have to produce a piece of paper with a drawing on it.  For this and the detailing of it, nothing beats good old draughting and Autocad experience.  Being a great 3D modeller does not automatically make you a good draughtsman.

 

The first and foremost task of any designing draughtsman is to take input from different sources, i.e. engineering, marketing, end-user, etc. and produce a document that COMMUNICATES the ideas in a format that can be understood by anyone - and that is the art.

 

Ok now I am getting of my soapbox - the tutorials are really for somebody that has been using Inventor for a while and needs to brush up on new functionality.  My advice is (and this is based on day to day experience using Inventor for almost 6 years now) - do the Essentials course through a college or and Autodesk reseller.  It will teach you how to do the basics correctly.  So often we get work from outside companies and the person that produced it "taught" him or herself through the tutorials and we have to spend almost as much time fixing their errors and bad design before we can use it.

 

There is nothing that replaces knowledge gained from people that have experience.....generally they have made all the mistakes already so you dont have to...

 

Cheers

 

Kobus

 

If so I would like the info...Company won't spend for trainning so I rely on tutorials and the the sub scription we have through Autodesk, it's the best money the company spends on 3D.

 

If you can figure out a way to swing getting a sbuscription I would, it will be worth every penny spent and I am not just talking about the free (well sort of) software up grades but the Tech support is GrrrrATE!!

 

You will always get the best with a good hands on training course unless you have lots of hours on your hands to read tutorials and find and watch videos?

Also the version that you have previously used compared to a latest version of Inventor will make a big difference due to updated tools and technology.