Autodesk Inventor - Tutorials?

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I recently started experimenting with Inventor 11 because I am about to make a cart for my Miller Maxstar 200. I thought it would be cool to get it all planned out in the program first and then go get the materials and welder' up. Of course I dont really know how to start. I would like to make it out of angle iron and not to fancy. After doing most of the "included" tutorials, I still dont know where to begin. I have search the internet for some decent tutorials that show you how to build something from the ground up, but came up empty. Does anyone have any links, ideas or suggestions? Thanks very much.
Reply:I'm pro at that program.... well maybe not pro, but i do know how to make a lot of things with it.I really didn't have any help when i started with the program , just hours of play time. You can use the help function in the program it will show you how to do most things, but it's not the easiest.Where exactly are you stuck , can you make a box? or a letter? anything?If you can't find anything for info i might be able to help you out.
Reply:Look for a program called Alibre Design. Its the same idea as Inventor. They offer a free version that has some really good tutorials, then you can take that and apply it to inventor.
Reply:My favorite 2D program which includes step by step tutorials is from Cadlogic, and is called Draft It.  They provide add-on packages for the high end 3D cad  programs such as Autocad.  The download is free, and unbelievably simple to use. I use it to design stair cases, porch rails, jigs etc.  If you find that you want to add on more complex tools you can upgrade to their Pro version for a nominal fee.  http://www.cadlogic.com/
Reply:Forget the Autodesk tutorials...they're terrible.     They take way to long and fail to explain the "why" for the various steps.Start by sketching a simple part, like a rectangle or an angle.  Extrude it.     Click on any face of  the part you just created and choose "New Sketch".    Now for the new sketch, make a circle anywhere on the part.   When you extrude the circle, cut it away through the part (make a hole in the part).Save your *.ipt file.   Now start a new *.iam (assembly) drawing.    Place your part a couple of times.    Start the "Constrain" command and mess around constraining your two parts together.     That right there is 70% of Inventor.   Get comfortable with (read that, 'practice') the basics first before you attempt the more complicated stuff.It's not that tough to learn.    If you don't already know AutoCAD, it's even easier because the logical sequence that is used to create drawings in AutoCAD is almost backwards in Inventor.There are no small projects
Reply:Imagineer - good points of help. I got stuck with it many months ago, you probably remember, and just gave up on it. For me it's easier to sketch my ideas on paper, lay them out with dimensions, then go to work...much quicker.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Thanks for the tips! Does anyone know an easy way to make angle iron?
Reply:Originally Posted by StargateThanks for the tips! Does anyone know an easy way to make angle iron?
Reply:I'm kind of in the same boat as Stargate.  I just picked up a decent book for Autodesk Inventor 5.3 basics to intermediate or advanced.  My problem is that I can get 90% of what I need drawn and rendered parametrically correct but as soon as I need to change something it all falls apart.  Its either over contrained, under constrained etc. I end up spending 95% of my time trying to get the last 5% right.  I am hoping this book helps.  I wish I had Autodesk Inventor 8.0 or  later (didn't know they had an 11) or maybe Solidworks3d.  The problem is I just got a quote for Solidworks and I'd much rather buy another welder for that money.  I think I might try the Cadlogic and Alibre just to get over the hump.  If I did it more often I might not need to make as many changes in the end but sometimes you just can't plan for everything.Michael   Millermatic 25115" Rockwell Drill Press10" Logan Lathe5hp - 2-stage 80 Gallon CompressorHome Made Sand / Soda Blaster
Reply:Well, I checked out the tutorial for the frame generator and its just what I need. Unfortunetly I cant get this 3D Sketch to work...How to do I get a grid so I can snap a line the length that I want in the 3d Sketch mode??
Reply:Originally Posted by StargateWell, I checked out the tutorial for the frame generator and its just what I need. Unfortunetly I cant get this 3D Sketch to work...How to do I get a grid so I can snap a line the length that I want in the 3d Sketch mode??
Reply:Ok,,there are a lot of cad, design programs out there for free. So tell me whats the best one and why?