I am a piping design draughtsman working in mainly the mining and water & effluent treatment sectors.  I have been using Inventor and Autocad on a 50/50 basis, depending on the client and their requirements.  Sometimes I even use the 2 packages together, doing some of the work in Autocad and some in Inventor.
 
I would really like to hear from other pipers using Inventor and Autocad about their experiences doing piping design and layout.  Things that come to mind is 3D blocks, material take ofs, ease of layouts, availability of libraries, etc.
 
How do you cope with file sizes in both packages?  Do you use other piping specific websites?  Moderator maybe you can look at having a section specifically aimed at the piping designers?  Especially to share libraries?
 
Ciao
Kobus

Probably nothing to do with your query but I am a fire sprinkler engineer could you let me know what you think about using the inventor cad program. I am currently thinking of doing the inventor 11 course.
 
Thanks
Chris

Hi Chris,
I have used IV extensively on piping and related design work.  Its piping module is pretty powerfull, except that the libraries are very Americanised...they seem to think everybody does tings their way.  However, if you take the time to set up your own libraries in the Content Centre, it becomes a very powerfull production tool.
 
If I may ask...why version 11?  The newest is v 2010, I am still on v 2008 but will probably upgrade to 2010 once I feel comfortable that most of the patches happened.
 
Anyway, I dont think you can go wrong with going the IV route.

Hi Kobus thanks for the prompt reply is the v 2010 an add on to acad 2009. The reason I mentioned Inventor 11 is I had a trial version of the software which seemed to be the full version but run out after the 30 day trail. It is a very good 3d engineering software but is very expensive about $5000.00. I also had o look at acad mepework des 2009 which is a good pipign program but is very acmericanized but you can build your own library.

Version 2010 - both Autocad and Inventor - is the latest released earlier this year.  When you buy Inventor you get Autocad, Autocad Mechanical and Desktop with it.  You get different versions of Inventor, a basic one, then one with piping and cabling (Routed Systems), with FEA, etc.  The full package is probably close to $10000.  But yes I agree, IV is expensive no matter which package you buy. 
 
I dont know Acad Mepwork, but Autodesk released Autocad 3D Plant, which covers piping and plant design, have not used it yet but apparently its good, especially if you use it in conjunction with the Autocad P&ID package.

 Sorry not related to your poste but I am looking for info on pipes so maybe you can help. I only use Inventor once in a while so I do not know all the secrets.
 
I have a 2 pipes that I need to constrain to another pipe at 90 degrees. I have one end of the pipes that is fishmouth(do know the inventor term).
 
I also need to constrain them flush with the top an bottom of the other pipe.
 
I hope this is clear explanation.
 

Apologies for only replying now.  But you can constrain piping the same way as all other parts.  In this case sounds like you should use planes?  Maybe post what you have?  Or a sketch?