We aim to provide a fair and objective comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of both SolidWorks and Inventor. These are among the most powerful and widely used 3D CAD software solutions, both globally and in the Vietnamese market. The information presented in this article is as accurate as possible. However, if readers notice any errors or inconsistencies, please feel free to share your feedback via email at info@onecadvn.com. We greatly appreciate your insights!
Autodesk Inventor is available in multiple versions, including Inventor LT, Inventor Professional, as part of the Product Design & Manufacturing Collection
Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks offers three versions: SolidWorks Standard, SolidWorks Professional, and SolidWorks Premium.
Here, we will compare Inventor Professional 2017 with SolidWorks 2016, SolidWorks Professional 2016, and SolidWorks Premium 2016. From a fair comparison perspective, and disregarding minor differences, most of the features in Autodesk Inventor Professional are nearly equivalent to those in SolidWorks Premium..
Inventor LT only supports 3D modeling for the purpose of creating 2D drawings. It does not support assembly file formats or analysis tools. However, you can still create multiple parts within the same file (Part environment), which means you will not be able to automatically generate the Bill of Materials (BOM).
SolidWorks, also known as SolidWorks Standard, allows for the creation of 3D parts, assemblies, 2D drawings, and the generation of BOM. It is much more powerful compared to Inventor LT.
SolidWorks Professional adds additional features, such as realistic rendering tools, content libraries, file comparison utilities, advanced data management, and several other capabilities. While SolidWorks Professional offers 3D modeling and 2D drawing creation, it lacks certain advanced features that are available in Autodesk Inventor Professional and SolidWorks Premium, which we will analyze in detail later in this article.
Since Inventor LT only supports 3D modeling in the Part environment, which is quite similar to AutoCAD 3D, it is significantly less powerful compared to the other software mentioned in this article (especially considering its relatively low price of around $300/year). Therefore, we will not discuss this version further in the following sections.
When it comes to 3D modeling design, both software solutions offer similar tools, with each having its own strengths and weaknesses. The user interface largely depends on personal preferences and habits.
3D Design | Inventor Professional |
Solidworks Standard |
Solidworks Professional |
Solidworks Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|
Part Modeling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Assembly Modeling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Parametric Modeling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Direct Editing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Hybird Modeling | Yes | No | No | No |
B-Rep Surfacing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
T-Splines / N.U.R.B.S | Yes | No | No | No |
Mesh Modeling | Yes | No | No | No |
Flatten Surface | No | No | No | Yes |
Rules based automation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Parts Library | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Bolted connections | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Design accelerators | Yes | No | No | No |
Configurations | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Sheet metal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Weldments | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Plastics | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ECAD Collaboration | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Electrical Harmessing | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Sync 3D harmess / 2D schematic | Yes | No | No | No |
Tube & Pipe Routing | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Large Design Review / Express Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Editing in Large Design Review /Express Mode |
Yes | No | No | No |
When comparing Inventor Professional and SolidWorks Professional/Premium, both software suites provide the essential tools for professional 3D modeling. While you may find certain advantages in one software over the other when examining specific details, overall, they are nearly equivalent.
Most of the missing features in both software solutions can be added through add-ons, but you may incur additional costs or encounter compatibility issues.
When it comes to 3D modeling, both software solutions have their own strengths and are fairly similar. However, if you need to use Flatten Surface, SolidWorks has the advantage.
In this category, we can clearly see both similarities and differences. When analyzing models, both software solutions perform DFM tasks such as interference/collision detection, draft analysis, wall thickness checks, etc. SolidWorks Professional and Premium offer tools for symmetry checks, geometric analysis, and model comparison, which are quite useful and time-saving compared to Inventor.
When it comes to simulation, SolidWorks provides demonstration tools in the Standard and Professional versions based on FEA and CFD, which can only be applied in certain aspects of FEA simulation and closed-loop flow analysis. In SolidWorks Premium, you can handle linear FEA simulations at the Part and Assembly levels, as well as dynamic simulations.Inventor Professional also supports FEA and dynamic simulations, plus a Shape Generator tool to optimize part geometry and analyze models. Additionally, Inventor Professional integrates plastic injection mold flow analysis, a simplified version of Autodesk Moldflow. Overall, both Inventor Professional and SolidWorks Premium offer basic simulation tools, which are simplified versions of professional simulation software. If you require more accurate results or need to simulate more complex problems, both companies provide specialized software for advanced simulation needs.
Currently, the Autodesk Product Design & Manufacturing Collection has fully integrated the professional simulation software Nastran-In-CAD directly into the Inventor Professional workspace, completely free of charge. It supports almost all common solid modeling simulation tasks, such as drop tests, impact analysis, and frequency response. With this integration into a single workspace, you won't have to spend much time on data import/export, reducing data loss and file errors during the process. The price of this product suite is only about 25% higher than that of Inventor Professional.