Inventor Performance 2012

John Kavusak Solutions Engineer MSD

Overview

Inventors Application options 32bit vs. 64bit Windows settings Graphics Cards and Workstations Other useful Links and Information.

Inventors Application Options

General Tab:
Set the Username Field to how you would like to see it in the models iProperties. Check Update physical properties on Save so Inventor does not have to be running to query accurate data. This will ensure that the correct data is extracted during a check-in by your DM application as well. Set the undo file size as small as possible. The size of the undo file size directly effects the amount of available RAM. Also a large undo file will cause less RAM to be given back to the OS requiring a restart of Inventor and Windows to reallocate that RAM.

Inventors Application Options

File Tab:
If possible move the Undo file location to another physical hard drive for increased performance. Moving the file to a RAM disk, Flash, or USB hard drive is not recommended. Let your project file control the locations of the Default Templates, Design Data, Content Center Files. This will help enforce CAD standards throughout your company. Set the Projects Folder to the location of your projects.

Inventors Application Options

Colors Tab:
Avoid using a gradient or image background. This uses additional graphics memory and on larger models could cause regen issues during an orbit. Using a solid background color is the least taxing on your systems resources. Avoid using High Res images for the Reflection Environment unless making presentation quality renderings of the models. Using lower quality .bmps or .jpgs will use less graphics memory and improve the performance of orbits and panning. With Inventor 2012 the Classic Interface is no longer available.

Inventors Application Options

Display Tab:
Most items are user preference and have little effect on performance Display Quality should be set to smooth but can be set to medium or rough on large models to improve the quality of real-time orbits and panning. Reverse Direction can be used to control the scroll wheel zoom to be like Inventor or AutoCAD. (unchecked is the Inventor zoom direction which is the default) The display quality of silhouettes, edges and transparency will depend on the quality of the graphics card in your system. Most Nvidia Quadro and ATI FireGL/FirePRO class graphics hardware will do very well with any of these options. Unsupported hardware such as the Intel GMA adapters may cause performance issues, artifacts left on the screen, or crashing.

Inventors Application Options

Inventors Application Options

Hardware Tab:
Quality - This setting favors graphics presentation over system
performance. For machines running Windows 7 or Vista, turns on anti-aliasing and improves the visual quality of the graphics display. There is no impact or difference between Quality and Performance for machines running Windows XP

Performance - This setting favors system performance over

graphic presentation. Anti-aliasing is turned off for machines running Windows 7 or Vista. This is the default setting.

Compatibility - This setting uses the same graphics processes as

the Inventor 2009 and earlier releases. Advanced display options, such as Visual Styles and Realistic Appearance materials, are not available

Software graphics - Specifies the use of software based graphics

processing rather than hardware based. The setting has often been seen as a last resort for graphics choices. However, if the machine has an older graphics card, but a newer operating system, Windows 7 or Vista, then it would be possible to use this option to access DirectX 10 supported features.

Inventors Application Options

Drawing Tab:
Only use Memory saving mode when running out of memory. Using memory saving mode could prevent running out of memory but will slow down performance of drawing creation. Show preview as is by default set to All Components If you notice that the view jumps around or has a slow regeneration when trying to place a view select the bounding box mode instead. This will show only a bounding box of the view and will make placement of the view much faster. Inventor 2012 now uses multiple cores to process drawing views. Use of bitmap views allows complex calculations to run in the background.

Inventors Application Options

Sketch Tab:
If you dont need to see the Grid lines, Minor Grid Lines, Axis, or the Coordinate system indicator turn them off. Like anything else on the screen they use resources and create clutter. With the introduction of the view cube it is easier to orient yourself in the model with the common names of front, back, right, etc instead of a red, blue, or green arrow. Check Edit dimension when created. Most often you will edit the dimension anyway. Turn off Autoproject edges for sketch creation and edit and Autoproject edges during curve creation. Keeping these turned on results in a bloated sketch and large file size. Turning this option off will allow you to use project geometry and project only what you need. Autoproject part origin on sketch create is useful to constrain your sketch to the origin. This could also be manually projected if you want this option off.

Inventors Application Options

Part Tab:
No new sketch! Manually create the sketch you want on the plane you want. Many users will often create their new part on the x y plane because it is the default. Setting this option to No new sketch should make the user think about how this part might be placed in an assembly. It may be better to start the first sketch on the x z plane so when it is placed in an assembly it is already oriented correct. Also keep in mind that if you extract dimensional data like length and width on a drawing you may be getting the values transposed. Another option is to Redefine the sketch after the initial creation. However, you will have to project the center point and re-constrain the geometry if it was previously constrained. Display Extended information after feature node name in browser. This option will help you easily identify the design intent of the features in the model tree by displaying the key parameter values.

Inventors Application Options

Assembly Tab:
Defer update should usually be unchecked. If you have a large assembly that you are going to be making many changes to and do not want to wait for each update you could turn this on. This will require you to manually do a rebuild all from the tools menu. Keep in mind this is an application wide setting so dont forget to set it back. Display component names after constraint names. This option allows users to quickly identify both halves of a constraint just by looking at the browser name.

Inventors Application Options

Assembly Tab Continued:
Enable related constraint failure analysis this is another option that I will sometimes turn off if Im going to be making several changes to an assembly and dont want to see all the failed constraint messages. Under most cases this should be kept on. Features are initially adaptive should be kept off. Setting everything initially adaptive can easily lead to unpredictable results when constraining parts or driving constraints. Unless for special cases adaptivity should not be used. When it is used adaptivity of the part should be then turned off once the desired results have been obtained. Keep in mind that a given part can only be adaptive in one assembly. Always be cautious with the adaptivity options! Component opacity When active only is selected and a user is editing a part or subassembly in the context of a parent assembly only the part or subassembly being edited with be opaque.

Inventors Application Options

Content Center Tab:
You now have the option to keep the content libraries on a hard drive without using the Autodesk Vault Server Windows XP default location = C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\Inventor 2011\Content Center\Libraries\ Windows 7/Vista default location = C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Inventor 2011\Content Center\Libraries\

32bit or 64bit?
Why 64bit? Addressable memory space beyond 4gb Better management of memory and processors When choosing a new workstation, plan for the future. Choose a 64bit workstation with a minimum of 8gb ram. All the current mechanical offerings from Autodesk are true 64bit applications Windows XP 64, Vista 64 and Windows 7 64 are compatible with the Autodesk Mechanical products.

Windows Settings
XP Theme Vs. Classic Theme
Setting windows to Adjust for Best Performance will turn off most of the animated or cosmetic features in Windows and switch to the Classic theme. This will improve performance by shrinking the graphics memory footprint required to run the OS freeing up more graphics memory for your model. Win XP = This is set at Control panel System Advanced Performance Settings. Win 7 = This is set at Control panel System Advanced system settings Advanced Settings Visual Affects tab:

The Classic Theme will also reduce the chance of graphical artifacts, disappearing pull down menus, and flickering or shuddering in the graphics windows of Inventor. Win XP = Control Panel\Display\Themes Win 7 = Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Personalization Note: Setting the Theme from the Display options does not make all necessary changes.

Windows Settings

3gb Switch Windows XP 32bit option

Setting the 3gb switch on 32bit workstations will allow inventor to utilize up to 3gb of ram rather than 2gb. Please check the inventor certified driver list for your graphics card to be sure that your graphics card and driver is compatible with the 3gb switch. This should only be used if the workstation has 3-4gb of ram installed. Page file must be set to the amount of physical RAM installed. The change is made to the boot.ini file A second line should be added to the boot.ini to simplify returning to 2gb mode if problems arise. OpenGL drivers are preferred with the 3gb switch if one is available for your graphics card. Be sure to select OpenGL in Inventor The boot.ini file is located at the root of the c:\ drive.

The Page file

Windows Settings

Only set a page file if you need one. Minimum should be equal to the amount of RAM Maximum should be 2000 larger for 32bit, or 1.5 times the amount of RAM for 64bit Never let Windows manage the size of the page file. If using the 3gb switch (Win XP 32bit) both values should equal the amount of RAM If possible put the page file on a physically different hard disk as the application is installed. This will reduce the butterfly affect accessing the hard disk. This is set at Control panel System Advanced Performance Settings. Win 7 = This is set at Control panel System Advanced system settings Advanced Settings Advanced tab:

The use of windows defrag, Norton Speed disk, or Disk Keeper will move this page file to the outer most sectors of the hard drive improving performance of the page file. Defragmenting regularly will keep performance at its peek Turn off live scanning of this page file and the undo folder in your anti-virus software if the option is available. I.e.: McAfee ASAP does not have a configurable option to control this.

Windows Settings
Disable recycle bin and system restore. NOTE: consider these only if you are comfortable with them. Disable the Recycle bin or any other product that keeps copies of every deleted file. (Right click on the recycle bin and select properties.) Disable System Restore. This saves disk space and access time. Bring up the system properties dialog (Windows key + Pause key, or right click on My Computer and select properties) > System restore and turn it off.

Windows Settings

Periodically check running processes.

With the help of your IT staff disable all processes that are not needed. To see what is running use the windows task manager. Do not disable it if you do not know what it is. Googling the process name will usually identify what the process is. Use Msconfig.exe to enable and disable processes and services.

Windows Settings

Thoughts on 3D Screen Savers..

DONT USE THEM!!!

They are a waste of system ram and graphics ram and can cause unnecessary switching between OpenGL and Direct3D (Win XP 32bit). This leads to graphical artifacts, distortion and crashing. Most Inventor crashes are graphics card related.

Graphics Cards and Workstations

Picking a Graphics Card Graphics card should be on the certified list. http://www.inventorcertified.com/graphics/ Be sure to use the Certified Driver recommended by Autodesk If using Vista or Windows 7 be sure the card you choose is Directx 10 compatible. Cards good for Gaming are usually not good for CAD Choose a card intended for use with CAD and other professional graphics applications. Nvidia Quadro FX and ATI FireGL and ATI FirePRO are recommended. Nvidia Quadro NVS cards are compatible but not great performers. If working with large models or complex surface data a card with 2gb RAM or more is recommended. Check the Autodesk website for compatibility before using the graphics card utilities such as Nview by Nvidia or Catyist Control Center by ATI.

Graphics Cards and Workstations

For General Part and Assembly Design (Typically Fewer than 1,000 Parts)
Microsoft Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit) Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate/Enterprise, or Microsoft Windows Vista (SP2) (32-bit or 64-bit) Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate, or Microsoft Windows XP Professional (SP3) or Professional x64 Edition (SP2) (1,2) Intel Pentium 4, 2 GHz or faster, Intel Xeon, Intel Core, AMD Athlon 64, or AMD Opteron, or later 8GB RAM or more Microsoft Direct3D 10 or Direct3D 9 capable graphics card DVD-ROM drive (6) Microsoft Mouse-compliant pointing device 1280 x 1024 or higher screen resolution Internet connection for web downloads and Subscription Aware access Adobe Flash Player 10 Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.x through 8 Microsoft Excel 2003 through 2010 for iComponents, thread customization, and spreadsheet-driven designs For Complex Models, Complex Mold Assemblies, and Large Assemblies (Typically More than 1,000 Parts) Windows 7 64-bit, Windows Vista 64-bit (SP2), or Windows XP Professional x64 Edition (SP2) AMD64 or Intel 64 processor 16 GB RAM or more CAD workstation-class graphics card

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Graphics Cards and Workstations

How much RAM does Synergis say I need? Minimum 8gb Even with small models consider all the other applications that you will run which will chip away at the amount of available ram Inventor will have access to. You can never have too much RAM!!! Purchasing addition RAM will yield the greatest return in the price of the workstation.

Graphics Cards and Workstations

Hard disks Multiple hard disks can improve performance SATA, SAS, Ultra 160 and Ultra 320 SCSI, SSD RAID 0 or 1 Recommended 7200 RPM or better. Many of the high speed disks come in smaller sizes. Using a RAID configuration will give you the larger capacity you may desire without loosing performance.

Graphics Cards and Workstations

Other Hardware and Software 3d Connexion devises can increase productivity by eliminating the need to initiate the zoom pan and orbit commands. Using the 3d device is transparent and does not require initiating any command. Avoid using vendor specific mouse drivers like Microsoft Intellipoint. These drivers have been known to cause issues in the past. If you store your cad data on a network share be sure you have a 1gb network adapter and you have 1gb connectivity to the switch and server. This will greatly reduce the time to open your CAD data. The use of a document management system such as Autodesk Vault will copy the data to your local hard disk. Accessing data from your local hard drive will give you the fastest possible access during open, save, close and updates.

Other Useful Information

Memprobe.exe This application is included with Inventor and will give more detailed information on how your systems RAM is being used. The application is located at C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Inventor 2012\Bin

Other Useful Information

Inventor Task Scheduler
When having model or drawing performance issues and RAM is not the issue use the Inventor Task Scheduler to perform an Update Design on your model. The log file that is generated will often point out possible issues in the model. These files with issues should then be handles from the lowest file type to the highest. (ipt first, idw/dwg last). Look at each of these problem files for the Design Doctor (red cross) or an update button that will not go away. DO NOT IGNORE THEM! Often these errors are caused by bad modeling practices. Once these issues are resolved rerun the task to perform another update and again look for errors.

I look for the following:

Failures migrating, Mass property updates, Update failures, Rebuild failures, Files access issues (such as read only, unresolved, etc) Dwf generation issues. (this is for vault, If you check in a model and inventor crashes or the check-in fails during dwf creation you have no way to know which file caused the error. Using the task scheduler will start and the bottom of the tree and go up allowing you to identify which file is the problem. The other data is the length of time needed to complete the task. So if I dont see anything that stands out as the problem you can look at the time it took for a file and judge whether or not it finished in a reasonable time. Also sometimes you may see which files are hanging up the process. It is usually these files that will cause inventor to crash.

Other Useful Information

So Inventor crashed what should I do?
Send the error report. Autodesk needs to know about the problem. Also many times you will may receive a notice that there is a service pack or a hot fix to resolve the problem. Is the problem reproducible? There are many possible causes for crashes including bugs in Inventor or Windows, low system resources, bad modeling, bad 3rd party data, and anti-virus programs. After a crash always reboot your workstation. Check to be sure of the following: Windows is up to date. Are you out of RAM. Crashing caused by a lack of ram is not a software problem and cannot be fixed by software. Free up RAM or install additional RAM. Has anything changed on your system marking the start of the problem? Check the Autodesk site for Hotfixes and Service Packs!

Other Useful Information

General Maintenance
Defragment Regularly Clear out your temp locations regularly a) C:\windows\temp b) C:\Documents and Setting\(username)\local settings\temp c) C:\Documents and Setting\(username)\local settings\temporary internet files Reboot your system Check for updates to Windows, Inventor, and your Graphics Hardware. Check running processes Scan your systems for Viruses and Spyware Use the task scheduler to update your designs. Learn new techniques Work with clean data. When using 3rd party data with Inventor run the Quality Check. If using a data management software like Adept, Vault or Productstream Keep you workspace clean. Avoid using the default file names such as part1, assembly1 Avoid unneeded spaces in file names and feature names. Avoid Long file names. The total path of a filename cannot exceed 255 characters. Exceeding this amount can cause many problems with Inventor, Windows and your data management system. Avoid having too many files in a single folder. Windows has a limit to how many files in a single folder it can handle.

Useful Links
www.Synergis.com www.Autodesk.com
Information on Inventor, Workstations, and Graphics Cards. http://www.inventor-certified.com/graphics/index.php 3d Connexions 3d controllers. http://www.3dconnexion.com/ Nvidia Quadro FX Graphics Controllers http://www.nvidia.com/page/workstation.html ATI FireGL Graphics Controllers http://ati.amd.com/products/workstation.html