# Inventor Reviews
**Vendor:** Autodesk  
**Category:** [Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mechanical-computer-aided-design-mcad)  
**Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0  
**Total Reviews:** 440
## About Inventor
Autodesk® Inventor® 2021 software provides engineers and designers professional grade design and engineering solution for 3D mechanical design, simulation, visualization, and documentation. With Inventor software, engineers can integrate 2D and 3D data into a single design environment, creating a virtual representation of the final product that enables them to validate the form, fit, and function of the product before it is ever built. Autodesk Inventor includes powerful parametric, direct edit and freeform modeling tools as well as multi-CAD translation capabilities and industry standard DWG™ drawings. Helping you to reduce development costs, get to market faster, and make great products. Speak to Autodesk Sales at 1-844-335-4986.



## Inventor Pros & Cons
**What users like:**

- Users appreciate the **ease of use** of Inventor, finding it user-friendly and efficient for customization and design. (2 reviews)
- Users appreciate the **user-friendly interface** of Inventor, enhancing learning for both beginners and experienced modelers. (1 reviews)
- Users appreciate the **accuracy of model creation** in Inventor, benefiting from its user-friendly and robust design. (1 reviews)
- Users commend the **user-friendly interface** of Inventor, enhancing productivity for both beginners and experienced designers. (1 reviews)
- Users appreciate the **user-friendly Assembly Management** in Inventor, which enhances productivity for all skill levels. (1 reviews)
- Compatibility (1 reviews)
- Customer Support (1 reviews)
- Customization (1 reviews)
- Ease of Learning (1 reviews)
- Easy Integrations (1 reviews)

**What users dislike:**

- Users experience **lag during heavy assembly** in Inventor, impacting their workflow and efficiency. (1 reviews)
- Users find the **complexity** of Inventor overwhelming, citing the need to remember many details and features. (1 reviews)
- Users frequently experience **crashes** in Inventor, leading to frustration and potential data loss during use. (1 reviews)
- Users find the **difficult learning** curve challenging, as there is much to know and remember. (1 reviews)
- Users find the **insufficient training** and tutorials hinder their ability to effectively teach novices using Inventor. (1 reviews)
- Insufficient Tutorials (1 reviews)
- Learning Curve (1 reviews)
- Limited Educational Resources (1 reviews)
- Limited Learning Resources (1 reviews)
- Performance Issues (1 reviews)

## Inventor Reviews
  ### 1. Versatile Design Tool with Room for Improvement

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Adhikari V. | Senior Technical Service Engineer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** April 08, 2026

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

I like Inventor's versatility; the same model can be made in different ways, and the interchangeability of 2D drawing options with AutoCAD is great. The software helps a lot by requiring less time to make more productive work. The ability to convert AutoCAD 2D drawings into 3D models easily within Inventor is really handy. Also, the ease of creating structural designs using top-down or top-up assembly methods and having the option of generative design is impressive. The initial setup was very easy.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

When I work on large assemblies, Inventor crashes suddenly, and sometimes there's no mouse movement showing. The model feature in drawings for exploded views is not working well. These issues may be resolved by upgrading the software.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

I use Inventor to create complex 3D parametric models and drawings, resolve issues in existing designs, and easily convert AutoCAD 2D drawings to 3D. Its versatility and interchangeability save me time and enhance productivity.

  ### 2. Highly Customizable and Efficient, But Occasional Crashes

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Professional Training & Coaching | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** November 03, 2025

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

I enjoy using Inventor because it allows me to customize the software to my preferences, such as setting up shortcuts and adjusting text styles. I can also personalize the drawing features and much more. Overall, I find it very efficient to use.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

Occasionally, Inventor crashes while I'm using the same feature, which forces me to restart the program. This can be frustrating, especially when I haven't saved my work and end up losing progress. But this helps in the compentitiin to be used of saving every 5 minutes and keep my results of the competition updated

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

When I use Inventor, I work faster than with other CAD software because I’ve customized the settings and shortcuts to match my preferences. With that setup, I was able to model 28 simple parts in about 20 minutes.

  ### 3. Powerful, User-Friendly CAD for Huge Assemblies with Seamless Autodesk Integration

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** April 05, 2026

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

It is a user-friendly CAD software which feels like an upgrade to Autodesk's own Fusion 360, but with a steep learning curve. The tried and tested perfect sketching tools combined with advanced parametric tools Inventor combines simplicity without compromising advanced features.
Its well integrated with all Autodesk family software's and most can be easily exported for use in other CAD software.
As for costs it maybe high for a small shop but worth for the features it provides.
Autodesk have good support and lots of forums official and public ones which are quite helpful.
Software handles huge assemblies without any issues.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

Not mush to dislike other than glitches which may be due to graphics driver issues.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Part modelling function is most used and second would be assembly.
Yes the drafting and rest of basic functions well in use. Simulation and rendering is possible but Inventor is best suited for product design than visualisation. Better to use Alias or VRED for that

  ### 4. Intuitive, Complete CAD Tool That Just Works

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Alan L. | Assistente Técnico de Desenvolvimento de Produto, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** April 30, 2026

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

It is a complete CAD tool very intuitive.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

Electrical features are a little restricted.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

It lets me easily manage all of my mechanical projects and drawings in one place, and it is easy to use and quickly.

  ### 5. Autodesk Inventor

**Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Muhammad W. | Mechanical Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** July 29, 2025

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

The best thing about inventor is the ease of use as it is easy to learn and understand as you start from a 2d sketch and then make 3d parts out of it which makes it very user friendly.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

The thing that i don't like is that many times when you have to open a large assembly composed of many sub assemblies there is a chance that it may crash without any possibility of saving it. So a lot of time get wasted due to it.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Inventor like any other 3d modelling tool helps to create 3d parts and assemblies before sending your design to manufacture. It helps you see the errors and mistake that if you don't see it in 3d may cost a lot of money if a wrong part is manufactured . So, inventor helps to see the whole machine or product in a realistic way before it is actually manufactured so it saves cost and time.

  ### 6. Inventor is a beneficial tool for CAD Engineer

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Suyash S. | Freelance, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 29, 2024

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

It is a user-friendly and robust solid modeling software allows for the creation of Assemblies featuring both Part and Assembly variations.Inventor's user interface is designed to be user-friendly, making it easier for both beginners and experienced users to learn and increase frequency of use and have great customer support,Inventor integrates with ease of implementation with other products.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

The step-by-step tutorials could be improved. It's challenging to present premade projects to novice students.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

It has enabled me to swiftly create 3D metal structures using your library, saving me time and resulting in a flawless finish. As a result, I believe it has enhanced both my work efficiency and my professional life. Autodesk Inventor is a powerful and versatile 3D CAD software that can help me design, analyze, and manufacture products efficiently. Its comprehensive feature set, intuitive interface, and integration with other Autodesk products make it a popular choice among professionals in various industries.

  ### 7. Building Consumer Electronic Product Enclosures

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Ofonime  W. | Design Engineer, Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** April 07, 2024

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

Inventor is my go-to tool for machine design; From design accelators, frame generators and analysis, to design automation with ilogic features , and dynamic event simulation with a powerful solver etc.

 Inventor's featuers are very mature in terms of capacity, and can handle data of so many kinds e.g it BOM, driving configuration with parameter etc.

Inventor also integrates perfectly with PDM tools like Autodesk Vault for administrative purposes, design data managment, file control, to mention a few.

Many other solutions can be integarted with inventor, making it possible to author, validate, fabricate and  test your design e.g Inventor Nastran, Inventor Nesting, Factory design utilities, etc.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

You need to master how planes work, if you intend to asemble your parts and components easily, simulating real world relationship between the parts  via the asssembly enviroment.

You need to fully understand assembly modeling especially if you are working on a large project with over a thousand part. etc

You need to understand the file structuring and basic file handling within inventor, else you would run into constant erros trying to reuse or locate design files. Sometimes the errors can cost you the clients trust if not managed properly.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

The ilogic feature in inventor basically hands me the power to automate my design, create variations and initaite design configurationns in a controlled manner. This leads to my ability to meet clients need in the shortest possible time.

Adopting Inventor for my product design workflow makes the entire experince smooth. I am giving the ability to implement and insert fastners, mechanical weldments, belt and chain drives, mechanical frames an others, through calculated, and analysis-based processes,thus making informed design decisions.


Basically, an ADMS console is required to set up a server, then an Autodesk vault client is set up for authoring of design data into the sever, via dedicated file structures. All i did was to link Inventor to my Autodesk vault, then all my designs from inventor was easily checked in and out of the vault, ensuring proper design documentation , control, and secuirty,  to mention a few.

  ### 8. Inventor Professional is very good & friendly tool for solid  and structural 3d modeling.

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** SudhaRSHAN R. | Design Engineer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** October 18, 2021

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

It is best for the structural and framework of 3d modeling.
The sketch part is amiable for a new user with less experience.
Similar to AutoCAD with 3d modeling tools.
Bundle with molding, frame generation, a piping module for skid drawing preparation.
Drafting is very friendly and straightforward to generate.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

Only one dis advantage is less options and tools for sheet metal genetation and plastic components.
Require to puchase additional license for these.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

We are modeling and analyzing aerostructures for aircraft dockings.
Tube and pipe module for piping and skid preparation for EPC and O&G segments.

  ### 9. Use for many applications

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Construction | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** November 05, 2024

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

Ease of use and ability to change stp files into adsk's or rfa's

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

I do not realy have a dislike for this application...

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Able to convert files into useable files within Revit

  ### 10. It is easy to use and fun

**Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Automotive | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** November 16, 2024

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

Inventer is fun to use and there are many shirtcuts you can use to build anything you want to

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

there are a lot of things to know and remember

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

its solving suoer fast math equations

  ### 11. Creativity and Efficiency with Inventor

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** OJΛS V. | Inside sales Analyst , Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** June 10, 2023

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

Remember those clunky design tools that felt more like an obstacle course than a design suite? Yeah, me neither. Now, Inventor's my partner in crime, an extension of my brain that transforms the spark of an idea into a flawless, tangible machine. 
Its interface is as intuitive as a well-worn notebook, and its arsenal of features? It's like having a whole team of specialized engineers at my fingertips.  Parametric magic? Check. Simulations so real you can practically smell the oil? Check. Assembly management that puts Ikea to shame? You betcha.

Inventor doesn't just help me design – it helps me invent. We take that rough sketch on a napkin and turn it into a future-proof masterpiece. 🪄 And the best part? It seamlessly integrates with my other Autodesk fam, so we're always on the same page.

So, if you're looking for a reliable co-pilot to take your engineering dreams from concept to reality, look no further. Inventor's got your back (and your gears, and your sprockets...).

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

Imagine: clicking through Inventor feels like second nature, features flow effortlessly under my fingertips. Gone are the days of lag and frustration, replaced by lightning-fast performance. Teamwork? A breeze. We're all on the same page, versions in perfect sync. Other Autodesk tools? They seamlessly join the party, data flowing like a dream. My prototypes? Put to the test with advanced simulations, flaws exposed before they hit the factory floor. Documentation? Crystal clear, each screw and spring accounted for. And those pesky repetitive tasks? Automated to oblivion, freeing me for the creative stuff. That's the Inventor I crave, the one that amplifies my every design whim. Let's build it, together.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Learning curve? Nah, design curve! Inventor's interface feels like a well-worn glove, instantly familiar and easy to navigate. No more cryptic menus or head-scratching tutorials - just pure design flow. 💪

My prototypes? Flawless, thanks to Inventor's simulation magic. I can virtually test and tweak every detail, ensuring my designs are bulletproof before they hit the real world. 🛡️

Inventor plays nice with the rest of the Autodesk gang. Sharing files and data is a breeze, like passing tools between old friends. No more translation headaches, just seamless collaboration. 🤝

  ### 12. Inventor is an amazing software in creating BIM models from Fabrication

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Architecture & Planning | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** November 28, 2023

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

I like the easy interface and the interoperability capabilities that Inventor already offers. The BIM Content feature is the bread and butter of the software for my usage. I love that I can easily extract and export a Revit file with the simplify tool.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

The downsides is the error capture when the software crashes. I've had multiple scenarios where Inventor will crash but with no crash report. This makes it real difficult to resolve or reproduce the issue. I would like to know what the file max sizes are before trying to opening the solidworks file to avoid the software from crashing.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

With the many file format that Inventor supports, its been a great tool in bridging the gap to converting a special file into Inventor Native, and then having the simplify tool reduce the details and making the file more feasible to be linked into Revit. I have the option to exporting a Revit Family (.rfa) or a Revit Project (.rvt) right from Inventor without having to get extra plugins. This has been vital in my processes for one of my projects where I can save a lot of time.

  ### 13. Professional design tool

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** April 11, 2024

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

Parameter driven modelling and assemblies are well structured is quite simple to learn. Drawing creation and structuring is good. Inventor offers a range of possibilities in simulation and analisys which are simple to use, with a lot of online recources if you are unsure on how to use them.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

The flexibility and ease of use is not quite at the level of Creo parametric, but all in all the user experieence is comparable.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Mechanical detail design and design modification.

  ### 14. Very good to mechanical projects

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Daniel B. | Analista de Mineração Sr., Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** March 23, 2024

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

It is a CAD software with manhy features that facilitate 3D modeling and visualization. It has an FEA simulation mode that is much more comprehensive than other typical CAD softwares. It allows opening and saving files in various extensions, wich facilitates collaborative work with other people using different software.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

Some assembly commands are not as intuitive and take some time to get used to.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Autodesk provides a free license for students and I´m using it to model a prototype of a cleaner coffee machine for my master's degree.

  ### 15. Using Inventor as a Mechanical Engineer.

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Construction | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** March 18, 2024

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

The most good feature about Inventor is the Dynamic simulation part, you can make a robot and simulatte it, with different angle of rotations. You can predict the structure failures like, VonMisses stress analysis and other things.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

The detailing is quite difficult, for example if you did not assemble to parts correctly like with, ptoper screws, you can not have proper simulation results.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Structural analysis of steel structures, and making of robot. Checking the angle of moments for the robotic arm.

  ### 16. My Experience with Inventor

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Pavan T. | Application Engineer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** January 04, 2024

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

Very simple User interface and workflow, making it easy for beginners to learn and use. It has wide range of tools for Parametric modeling, freeforms and direct modelling. And it has very great integration with other Autodesk products. All this with good coustomer support.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

It needs High system requirements for good performance. It has limited compatibility with non - Autodesk file formats.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

It consists in built tools for design automation, reducing repetitive tasks which leads to improving efficiency.

  ### 17. Great learning software for CAD

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** October 18, 2023

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

It has been very easy to use and learn how to create 3D models from an engineering standpoint, both from a solid model to a sheet metal model. I mostly create sheet metal models and it helps a lot with my work everyday by crating dxf files from the flat models created.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

When creating mates between parts in an assembly it can be diffuclt to understand what it needs to create that mate, either by being a certain plane or an angle but interpreted ina different way that i usually dont catch up on and en up giving up.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Sheet metal models have a lot of tools and functions that allow their creation to be very easily integrated with other programs i use, determining the total area of the flat model without having to actually measure the flat model is a huge life saver even in ilogic.

  ### 18. User Friendly CAD

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Hari V. | Lead Design Engineer, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** January 25, 2024

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

The main advantage of inventor is its Intuitive User Interface which very beginner friendly. It is also a powerful CAD tool which can handle large assemblies. It has tight Integration with Simulation tools like Autodesk CFD.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

Inventor Graphics demands a high end system requirements. It uses intense processing power which is not possible with low end PCs. Cost of Inventor also seems to be on higher side.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Inventor helped me in designing and developing Bakery equipment such conveyor lines, pick and place robitic arms etc. It helps me in performing Fitcheck analysis of complex assemblies.

  ### 19. Perfect CAD software for all experiences levels

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** October 18, 2023

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

It is an easy CAD software to pick up on but at the same time being intricate enough for more experienced users. Allowing to automate 3D models with ilogic programming but also having a very intuitive UI design to ease people into learning more of its distinct functions.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

Inventor can be at times too "stubborn" when it detcts errors in parts and assemblies, to the point of halting your progress or updating your files because a simple error is persisting even after erasing the mates between parts.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

A lot of the models I use start with the same template or base model, so allowing us to create a Form to input the general data of the model and having it update the assembly automatically with the information i gave it is very very useful. Saving me a lot of repetitive work.

  ### 20. Incredible software.

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** April 24, 2024

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

It functionality and simpkicity producing reliable results.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

Nothing, it has been the [erfect FEA software.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Doing stress anlysis for my work.

  ### 21. Best Cost Effective Solution for Design

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Rehan A. | Mechanical Design Engineer, Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** July 31, 2023

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

Inventor GUI is easy to use. I am using Inventor since form 2 years for Sheet metal product desiging. I most like the way of generate DXF for CNC Laser cutting machine. All details comes automaically.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

Some time, I faced unexpected software closed issue. but not regular. May be it might one drive issue. Because we are using one drive for file access. Nothing to dislike more.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Inventor solve our time while we modeling sheet metal product and we need to know exact amount of metal sheet utilization. That time I like the most of using Inventor nexting command for all part in one click.

  ### 22. Inventor the best CAD software

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Erick G. | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** October 18, 2023

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

All of the commands and functions are easy to use and very friendly, so the software itself is really easy to learn.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

Other CAD software when you zoom out the dissapear some parts to improve the performance of the software, inventor does not.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

We use Inventor to manage all of our 3D design and manufacture parts.

  ### 23. Autodesk Software are best for CAD

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Shubham D. | Design Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** January 12, 2024

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

Overall Features are good and the all software are easy to handle. I like Fusion 360 and Autodesk Inventor more. Also it gives standard Gallery which is more use while Designing.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

In Fusion 360 the Heavy Assembly are lagged during working. Dear team please solve this issue.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Heavy Assembly lagging issue

  ### 24. One of the best 3d modelling software

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Ayman N. | Project Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** December 06, 2023

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

The ease of use and user friendly experience. You don't need much training to use the software. All the features and pretty much self explanatory

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

To make complex geometric shapes you have to learn specific methods of doing it. And comapared to its competitors it has slightly less features

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Inventor is solving problem of creating manufacturing drawings for complicated solids.

  ### 25. Easy to learn and design

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Maduranthahan V. | Temporary Demonstrator, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** January 19, 2024

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

We can learn Inventor quickly and design easily

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

Simulation is the only difficulty I felt

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

I was in need to design a prototype of a machine to assist the production line. Inventor helpedme in this.

  ### 26. It's an easy tool for design

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Manufacturing | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** October 20, 2023

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

It's an easy tool for sheet metal design. Between the softwares I have been used, this one in particular makes the design of sheet metal more asey, it has the correct tools for the desire outcome and it saves 2 views, the flat part and the folded part, wich makes easier the making of the drawing easier.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

That it does not have too many options for surfacing design.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

FEA is really easy to use on this software.

  ### 27. Creating mechanical parts and assemblies

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Caleb T. | Design Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** May 31, 2023

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

The interface is simple to use and efficient.   The ipart and function features allow you to quickly updated and create parts for manufacturing.  Also the assemblies are simple to make.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

I dislike the material assigning properties.  Somtimes a material is changed but doest reflect it in the part.  Same with the coloring properties.  Also the content center can be confusing to map.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

It is helping us design material handling equipment in order to fabricate parts.  This is also used to show the customer a clean and organized product before fabrication.

  ### 28. The best in class 3D CAD software

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Luis Enrique T. | CAD Engineer, Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** April 10, 2023

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

Inventor is an incredible tool that helps to model and design 3D parts, components and assemblies for prototyping, fabrication and visualization. It is a great link between the digital and physical domain.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

In the last years of user experience with Inventor I was mostly happy with all the features and the environment for modeling, design and simulation that accomplish some of the main features of a product lifecycle.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

It helps me in day-to-day 3D parametric modeling and design, in which, for example, a part can be easily modified with User Variables, Parameters, and a good application of CAD modeling techniques, in wich Inventor has a robust approach.

  ### 29. Excellent Modeling Software

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** December 13, 2023

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

Intuative in the design process. Love the pull down family area where we can see and edit our design.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

Hoping AI will help with broken links.  Making the reconsiliation stage easier

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Creating accurate views of the models...we don't have to hand create these any longer.  No design errors

  ### 30. Easily accessible Software

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Mohit B. | Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 28, 2023

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

Accuracy that can be achieved in 3D modeling and 2D Drafting.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

Inventor is a bit complicated as compared to other 3D Cad software.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Creating complicated 3D models with ease.

  ### 31. Best program for mechanical modelling

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Fabio D. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** June 02, 2023

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

ease of use and in short time you can have modeled complex stuff

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

complex shape using nurbs are very difficult to be implemented

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

ease of use and in short time you can have modeled complex stuff

  ### 32. Inventor is the best software for 3D Design

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Manufacturing | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** October 17, 2023

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

The interface is very friendly to navigate, and it is really easy to learn and do designs.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

In big assemblies the models get very heavy, which can get troublesome for your computer.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

To create our 3D models and generate drawings for manufacturing

  ### 33. Autodesk version of SolidWorks

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Boston T. | CAD R & D Hobbyist, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** May 14, 2023

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

It's excellent for 3D modeling! For other drafters who understand what I mean... AutoCAD is for 2D drawing, but CAN do 3D; while Inventor is for 3D modeling, but CAN do 2D.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

It's different enough from SolidWorks that it took me some learning to get used to.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

I had to edit drawings of USPS machinery that were drawn in Inventor.

  ### 34. Why we had to leave Inventor

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Yasar P. | Network Member Online Engineering Consulting, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** March 30, 2023

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

For me simulation capabilities and rendered 3-dimensional solutions I like.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

Unfortunately Ready made parts are so limited

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

^^ dimensional mechanical parts and machine simulations are easy to use. Also molds for sheet metal works and their limited simulations are most beneficial for our company.

  ### 35. 10 plus years experience in inventor

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Atanu M. | Assistant Manager, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 28, 2022

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

Logical approach for parts and assemblies, parts properties, GUI environment, easy BOM creation. Handling multiple types of files, exporting drawings, handy and easy options.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

1. Automatic drawing number generation from other database should be integral part of the software. Presently this can built through some coarding only.
2. Analysis could be done in a better way

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

We as an OEM, needs to handle comples multiple assembly in Inventor, We create parts by multibody part method or by sketch layout and then assemble them through auto ground method. This saves huge time

  ### 36. Best 3D cad software from Autodesk

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Suneed K. | Senior Design Engineer, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** January 17, 2022

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

The program has salient features to make the the designer and Engineers life easy.
1. The drawing extraction very simple and the sectional / inclined views by simple clicks.
2. Have graphical interface with PVelite and Compress so that the equipment 3D and drawings are ready within couple of minutes.
3. Each sub assembly can be opened in another window so the details can be easily understood.
4.  The dimensioning have built on surface finish symbols.
5. Mass properties and the COG is readily available.
6. Drawings and model revision can be controlled by Vault.
7. Other compatible drawing format import is very easy.
8. The sub assemblies can be easily arranged in the main assembly.
9. Standard parts like flanges can be made using programs.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

The Vault feature used for controlling the documen revision shall be made more user friendly. 2D drawings shall be made easily editable as AutoCAD.Revision clouding is more time consuming. The program opening and response time to a little bit more.

**Recommendations to others considering Inventor:**

Good 3D program on technical point of view.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

After designing the equipments in PVElite or Comoress we can get the 3D model and 2D drawings very easily. The structural assembly/ sub assembly are prepared and the total weight and COG is calculated easily. Drawing checking/ reviewing can be done systematically.

  ### 37. Easy to use professional-grade 3D software

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Arun R. | Technical Specialist , Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** March 03, 2022

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

All the tools are easy to access and design faster. It has got different modules that help in creating a complete design. When it comes to its competitors, Inventor stands out with its easy to collaborate and integration with other Autodesk products especially AutoCAD for 2D

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

It is kind of difficult to work with Tube and Pipe modules. If this gets simplified Inventor would be the top tool globally. I would like to see more improvements on Tube & Pipe Environment

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Managing the standards with Content Center has got one of the biggest benefits. Moreover Inventor provides options to configure products using iLogic which not only increases the performance but also the productivity

  ### 38. Good piece of 3D CAD software that is underrated

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Jonathan Y. | Engineer, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** December 02, 2021

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

I feel that it is easier to navigate models in Inventor, and there are powerful features for advanced users especially with iLogic.
I managed to automate a lot of repetitive tasks using iLogic and it has improved my productivity and even solved some design problems with it.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

Some features such as iParts doesn't seem to be compatible with Autodesk Vault and can cause errors or crashes.
However I don't use iParts or iAssembly anymore I just use iLogic to circumnavigate these problems.

**Recommendations to others considering Inventor:**

There's a healthy number of users out in the community there so the forums are helpful

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Repetitive tasks especially in Drawing / drafting can be automated saving a lot of hours, assemblies for standard product configurations can be pre-determined with some iLogic, and sometimes you can program your own formulas to auto-solve some design calculations or problems.

  ### 39. Inventor Keeps Adding Useful features

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Rob T. | Senior Engineer and CAD Manager, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** October 28, 2021

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

The fact that Inventor is constantly getting new features.  Recently the Tolerance Analysis and Model Based Definintion additions have expanded the capability of the software.  Autodesk listens to the customer base and implements features that are driven from need and not canned software.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

Speed to market of new features from the idea station can take time.  This is understandable given the code that is running the software; however, it is still a pain point.  Recently the Mold Fill Analysis was taken out of the product in 2022; this was disappointing given the feature was used regularly by our company, and now we are forced to purchase a full seat of Moldflow, which is an additional cost.  The fact also moving to subscrition only was a incorrect decision for Autodesk to push on to the customer base.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Our company uses the Tolerance analysis tool to fit multiple parts together in assemblies.  The same engineer may not create each component, and some interference may occur in the assembly.  The Tolerance analysis makes the fit more confident when sent to manufacturing.

  ### 40. Good 3D CAD software

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Mary Grace M. | Design Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** February 04, 2022

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

I like the speed of the Inventor, it responds faster to the commands and components selection even there are a lot of components in an assembly. It is easy to use even for beginners.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

For the case of assembling components, you have to constrain the component multiple times (x, y, and z), just to make sure that the component will not move. Unlike Onshape, you can constrain a component in just one mate feature.

**Recommendations to others considering Inventor:**

Inventor is a popular 3D CAD software that is widely used by many companies. Having experience in this software is a very good skill advantage.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

In Inventor, you can easily do the Tool Stack Analysis. This tool can minimize your errors in computation, unlike doing it manually. And it minimizes your time in doing the TSA.

  ### 41. Very reliable and maybe the best UI from among all CAD alternatives

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** JEANFED R. | Research Student, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** November 12, 2021

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

The user interface is intuitive and the icons and layouts are beautiful for CAD software. I used it for 3D modeling and 2D sketches and among other software, this has been the fastest to get started with a fast installation.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

For some assemblies, it crashed but I didn't lose my work since it saved it automatically. It is a little heavy to have it on the system but it lets me get my 3D designs done.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

I've been using it to design pieces for some prototypes I can later print on a 3D printer and it has been the fastest way to model and document the pieces with the drawings.

  ### 42. Autodesk Inventor Review

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Mel Angelo F. | Mechanical Design Engineer, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** February 04, 2022

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

Easy to use compared to other 3d softwares, communicates well with other Autodesk software its compatibility is beneficial, like changing using Autocad, for example, to finish 2d.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

Mouse controls or keyboard bindings/shortcuts will take time to get used to, especially if you already used other software prior, but once you get the hang of it, it is much simpler than others.

**Recommendations to others considering Inventor:**

Keep trying the product; it is a popular 3D software used worldwide.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Motion problems like creating multiple linking items like a simple machine, how they interact. It helps productivity if you master complex features like iLogic and high-level assembly features.

  ### 43. Inventor continues to improve

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Environmental Services | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** January 21, 2015

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

The software is easy to learn and use.  It has evolved in the features offered in the latest version.  The Vault environment is very useful once the user engages it and learns the basics. The Content Center is also a real plus. It places most of the industry-standard items within a few mouse clicks.  The  Frame Generator is a great tool for working with structural weldments.  Autodesk continues to add functionality with each release.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

It lacks a decent Feature recognition add in such as SolidWorks "Feature Works".  So importing models created in other platforms is limited in feature scope after translation.  They have made enhancements on working with other CAD platforms, which overcomes some of the limitations.  Their AnyCAD system allows you to interface and work with other CAD platforms.

**Recommendations to others considering Inventor:**

Compare it to others such as SolidWorks or Solid Edge.  Very similar in functionality but each has it's own benefits that may suit the end user better.  I have worked in all three platforms. 

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

The introduction of Inventor has reduced the number of ECNs and led to reduced delivery schedules.  The solid models have also made it much easier to communicate design intent to others in the production stream.  The implementation of Vault Professional has allowed our company to merge all the different divisions into one common file system.  So collaboration is much better and this has allowed us to reduce the number of duplicate files.

  ### 44. Inventor is Best design software

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Rupesh P. | Design Engineer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** May 25, 2022

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

User interface and short keys are best part of inventor

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

Nothing to dislike. Best design software.

**Recommendations to others considering Inventor:**

Yes. Definitely

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Work on sheetmetal design and assembly design.

  ### 45. Decent 3D program

**Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Machinery | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** November 30, 2021

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

This program seems to have all the functionality needed in a 3D Cad program. I am not very quick with it, as I usually use Solidworks, but it seems to have similar functionality.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

It definitely does not feel as intuitive to a new user (compared to solidworks). Also doesn't seem to have as many "convenience" features.

**Recommendations to others considering Inventor:**

I think it is fairly affordable compared to others, I'd say go for it.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

My main purpose for using inventor is converting old inventor files to .stp files. Occasionally I will measure part dimensions with it. Thats about all I can do confidently.

  ### 46. Inventor is easy and alternative to creo

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Rupesh P. | Design Engineer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** April 12, 2022

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

Easiness And easy understanding of commands.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

It is not vast and not more commands which are available in catia and creo

**Recommendations to others considering Inventor:**

Yes definitely

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Assembly mode and framework of inventor is good.

  ### 47. it's pretty easy to use

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Steven W. | Layout Designer, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** November 24, 2021

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

simple to learn, use, and master modeling of simple and complex parts

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

the multitude of workarounds sometimes needed to get around errors of software inconcistancies

**Recommendations to others considering Inventor:**

There are things that Inventor can do that other CAD programs cannot, and that comes with mastering the use of it.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

design industrial and mobile motion control products

  ### 48. Designing of CAD model

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** SACHIN G. | Senior Research And Development Engineer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** January 05, 2022

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

The simplicity of tool utilization while designing complex 3-dimensional computer-aided design also.

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

Software installation requires a significant amount of space in hard drive.

**Recommendations to others considering Inventor:**

I strongly recommend this software who are planning to design a complex model and take it to the manufacturing level.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

I am designing an internal combustion engine for a 2-wheeler vehicle which can operate under different fuels.

  ### 49. Review for Autodesk Inventor application

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Bharani D. |  Senior Should Cost Engineer, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 28, 2021

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

Its very usefull application for 3D modeling and details drawing making

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

Its very handy sometimes for all the features, but some other applications we need to understand from core side

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

quickly making 3D models and drawings for the parts and assemblies

  ### 50. Really like to use but want some improvements

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Avinash Singh K. | Founder, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** April 16, 2021

**What do you like best about Inventor?**

It's left to right navigation and tool selection pallet. Shifting of operations up and down by sliding in tree.
Standard library for mechanical parts.
Design accelator.
Rendering studio.
Projection geometry tool but it is more better if a feature includes which unable user to project feature from sectional view, at present only visible features and sectional features can be projected on sketch

**What do you dislike about Inventor?**

ilogic tool because it is not much user friendly and it seems difficult to operate within.
It is very difficult to work with .stl file because software didn't recognize many operation while editing and user has to suffer. Try to improve editing of imported .stl file.
Try to make embossing tool to work on non cylindrical or non planer surfaces.

**What problems is Inventor solving and how is that benefiting you?**

I used this for dynamic mechanical system design, mould designing, part modelling and some times sculpturing.
I think designing and assembly tools are much robust but analysis tools needs some improvements and mould designing module is More focussed towards injection moulding but it should also include tools for vacuum forming.


## Inventor Discussions
  - [How do I ensure my weldments always accept weld at their interactions.](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-do-i-ensure-my-weldments-always-accept-weld-at-their-interactions) - 1 comment, 1 upvote
  - [Am I using it correctly, space planning, fit issues, some structural loading forces](https://www.g2.com/discussions/am-i-using-it-correctly-space-planning-fit-issues-some-structural-loading-forces) - 1 comment, 1 upvote
  - [What are some of the best practices for students working in groups to use Inventor?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-some-of-the-best-practices-for-students-working-in-groups-to-use-inventor) - 2 comments, 1 upvote
  - [How do you handle the data creation problem?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-do-you-handle-the-data-creation-problem) - 2 comments, 1 upvote
  - [What is the best way to balloon multiple items?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/15670-what-is-the-best-way-to-balloon-multiple-items) - 1 comment, 1 upvote

- [View Inventor pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/inventor/reviews?section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-06-10+22%3A31%3A04+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=64d89896-728b-4a1a-a2ce-850e2a918190&secure%5Btoken%5D=548070b09dd35511bebcf0e2ec7025b689d078464586eb3b90727d0900284d7a&format=llm_user)
## Inventor Integrations
  - [Adobe Acrobat](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-acrobat/reviews)
  - [Autodesk Alias](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-alias/reviews)
  - [Autodesk Vault](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-vault/reviews)
  - [Design Review](https://www.g2.com/products/design-review/reviews)

## Inventor Features
**Design**
- Drawing
- Modeling
- Visualize 
- Rendering

**Design**
- 3D/solid modeling Tools
- Drawing Tools
- Editing Tools
- Rendering tools

**Tools - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)**
- 3D/solid modeling Tools
- Rendering Tools
- Drawing Tools
- Editing Tools
- Text Editing Tools

**Edit**
- File Import 
- Push/Pull
- Views
- Grips 

**Tools**
- Fluid analysis
- Finite element analysis
- Multibody dynamics

**File Options - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)**
- Export Files
- Import Files
- File Interoperability
- Backwards compatibility
- File size

**Collaboration**
- Annotate
- Documentation 
- Data Extract

**Work**
- Discrete event modeling
- Continuous event modeling
- Mechanical event simulation
- Manufacturing process simulation
- Integrate

**Customization - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)**
- Custom Commands
- Custom Scripts
- Custom Menus
- Custom Interface

**Environment**
- Hardware support
- Task
- Manage Multiple Profiles
- Command Clarity

**Environment - Mechanical Computer-aided Design (MCAD)**
- Hardware support
- Task-based interfaces
- Manage Multiple Profiles
- Command Clarity

## Top Inventor Alternatives
  - [Onshape](https://www.g2.com/products/onshape/reviews) - 4.7/5.0 (682 reviews)
  - [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (628 reviews)
  - [Designcenter Solid Edge](https://www.g2.com/products/designcenter-solid-edge/reviews) - 4.3/5.0 (588 reviews)

