Inventor Performance 2012 - Synergis Engineering Design ... · PDF fileInventor Performance...

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Inventor Performance 2012

John Kavusak – Solutions Engineer

MSD

Overview

Inventor’s Application options

32bit vs. 64bit

Windows settings

Graphics Cards and Workstations

Other useful Links and Information.

Inventor’s 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.


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.


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

.bmp’s or .jpg’s will use less graphics memory and

improve the performance of orbits and panning.

�With Inventor 2012 the Classic Interface is no longer

available.

Inventor’s Application OptionsDisplay 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.

Inventor’s Application OptionsHardware 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.


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.


Sketch Tab:• If you don’t 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.


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.


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 don’t 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.


Assembly Tab Continued:• “Enable related constraint failure analysis” this is

another option that I will sometimes turn off if I’m

going to be making several changes to an assembly

and don’t 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.


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.

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

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.

Windows SettingsThe Page file• 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.

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………..

DON’T 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.

Windows Settings

Picking a Graphics Card• Graphics card should be on the certified list. “http://www.inventor-

certified.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.



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

•Visit this website:

“http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?siteID=123112&id=13727144”

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.


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.


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.exeThis application is included with Inventor

and will give more detailed information on

how your system’s RAM is being used.

The application is located at C:\Program

Files\Autodesk\Inventor 2012\Bin


Inventor Task SchedulerWhen 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, un-

resolved, 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 don’t 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.


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!

.


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

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