Parametric Modeling with Autodesk Inventor 2020

Parametric Modeling with Autodesk Inventor 2020: A Practical Introduction

Autodesk Inventor is a powerful tool for mechanical design, and its feature-based approach can feel both intuitive and demanding. Parametric Modeling with Autodesk Inventor 2020 by Randy H. Shih is a hands-on guide that helps readers build a solid understanding of parametric modeling by working through practical, step-by-step examples. Published by SDC Publications, this edition aligns with the 2020 release of Autodesk Inventor and emphasizes the design intent behind every feature, not just the commands themselves.

What This Book Covers 📐

At its core, the book teaches how to create and modify 3D models using Autodesk Inventor’s parametric workflow. It moves beyond simple button-clicking to explain why features are ordered, how dimensions drive geometry, and how changes propagate through a model. The included chapter on the Model History Tree offers a clear look at one of Inventor’s most important concepts: the sequential record of construction steps that makes intelligent design changes possible.

• Feature interactions and the part browser
• Modifying and updating feature dimensions
• History-based part modifications
• Renaming created features
• Implementing basic design changes

Inside the Model History Tree Chapter ⚙️

Chapter 4 walks through the Saddle Bracket design, giving readers a chance to plan a modeling strategy before touching the software. It covers starting a new part, selecting a sketch plane, creating a base feature with the Extrude command, and using the Symmetric option to extrude in both directions. Throughout the tutorial, the Autodesk Inventor browser is used to examine the feature tree, rename items, and understand how each step builds on the last. The chapter also connects these actions to the Autodesk Inventor Certified User Exam objectives, making it useful for both learning and certification preparation.

Skills You’ll Practice 💻

• Planning a feature-based modeling strategy
• Navigating and interpreting the Model History Tree
• Creating and editing 2D sketches
• Extruding profiles into solid features
• Using the browser to modify, rename, and troubleshoot parts
• Understanding how design intent is captured in a parametric model

Who This Book Is For 🧠

This guide is well suited to students, engineers, designers, and CAD users who are learning Autodesk Inventor or strengthening their parametric modeling skills. Beginners will appreciate the detailed, sequential instructions, while more experienced users may find the focus on history-based editing and design intent useful for building cleaner, more adaptable models. The material is particularly relevant for anyone preparing for the Autodesk Inventor Certified User Exam.

Why Parametric Modeling Matters ✏️

Parametric modeling is what allows a CAD model to evolve without starting over from scratch. When features are properly ordered and defined, a single dimension change can ripple through a design in predictable ways. This book helps readers develop the habits that make those changes reliable—thinking ahead, organizing features sensibly, and using the history tree as a tool rather than a mystery. That mindset is valuable in product design, mechanical engineering, and any field where 3D models need to be revised, reused, and shared.

Build Confidence with Every Feature

If you are ready to move from following commands to understanding the logic behind them, Parametric Modeling with Autodesk Inventor 2020 offers a grounded, tutorial-driven path. It is a practical resource for anyone who wants to create models that are not just visually correct, but structurally sound and easy to modify. Available as a digital edition from Digital Delights.