Autodesk Inventor: 3D modeling software for designers and engineers

Create, simulate, and document your most ambitious ideas.

What is Autodesk Inventor?

Autodesk Inventor 3D CAD software provides mechanical design, documentation, and simulation tools.

  • A powerful blend of parametric, direct, freeform, and
    rules-based design.

  • Integrated tools for machine design, sheet metal, frame
    design, tube and pipe, cable and harness, and more.

  • Powerful Model-Based Definition for embedding manufacturing information directly in the 3D model.

Why use Inventor?

Improve product performance

Use powerful 3D modeling and simulation capabilities to design and optimize for product performance.

Reduce repetitive tasks

Create customizable design configurations quickly and automate common tasks. 

Boost collaboration

Connect your designs with incoming customer data. Share ideas in a secure, cloud-based environment. 

What you can do with Autodesk Inventor

Share designs with key stakeholders (video: 2:13 min.)

Share feedback with built-in collaboration tools

  • Work with anyone, anywhere no matter what CAD software they use.
  • Collect feedback from stakeholders anywhere using cloud-based design review.
  • Track your product development lifecycle with a single data source.

Automate model creation with iLogic (video: 1:50 min.)

Move more efficiently with automated processes

  • Quickly reconfigure your designs for customers with workflows powered by iLogic. 
  • Access Inventor API to create add-ins.
  • Explore Autodesk Platform Services to connect your data, applications, and enterprise software.

Learn manufacturing for BIM projects (video: 1:39 min.)

Deliver custom designs that are BIM ready

  • Increase sales opportunities by providing product data in native Revit family format.
  • Use data exchanges for collaboration when creating custom fabrications around AEC data. 
  • Boost BIM interoperability with Informed Design for Inventor (US Site).

Extend the capabilities of Inventor with the collection 

The collection is a powerful set of applications that provides extended capabilities to Inventor and AutoCAD for engineers who design complex and custom products, equipment, and systems.

Learn how you can do more with Inventor

Best practices for 2D and 3D design

Work in Inventor and AutoCAD to unlock capabilities that benefit the entire product development cycle. (Watch video 1:50 min.)

Explore a complete product development solution

See how integrated tools for Inventor bring your designs to life. Model courtesy of Joel Maia. (Video 2:34 min.)

Explore Inventor resources

BLOG 

See what’s new in Inventor

Discover the latest enhancements in Autodesk Inventor and start implementing them in your workflows.

Read blog

YOUTUBE 

Inventor YouTube channel

Watch videos on the latest release, including productivity tips. 

Visit YouTube channel

TUTORIALS 

Inventor getting started guides

Whether you’re just getting started or are a seasoned CAD user, check out these tutorials. 

Get started (US Site)

Find out how you can do more with Inventor

Learn from the experts about the powerful integrated tools in the Product Design & Manufacturing Collection.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is Autodesk Inventor used for?

Autodesk Inventor software provides engineers with a complete set of powerful mechanical design solutions for 3D modeling, simulation, visualization, and documentation. With Inventor software, engineers can create a virtual representation of the final product to validate the form, fit, and function before it’s built. It includes powerful modeling tools, multi-CAD translation capabilities, and native DWG drawings to help you reduce development costs, make great products, and get your products to market faster.

Who uses Autodesk Inventor?

Autodesk Inventor is used by mechanical designers and engineers who need automated and specialized tools to design and prepare for manufacturing.

How do I download Inventor?

Autodesk provides download and install instructions for individuals and administrators. Your available downloads appear in Autodesk Account. Find your product, select a version, platform, language, and download method. For more information, see download and install support.

Which operating system does Autodesk Inventor run on?

Inventor runs on Microsoft® Windows®. See system requirements (English) for details.

See more

Support and problem solving (US Site)

Find troubleshooting articles and resolve your issue.