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To become a certified engineering CAD technician, you’ll need to learn how to use several different software programs.

One program you’ll soon become familiar with is Autodesk Inventor—a top favourite for engineering CAD professionals. Inventor is designed with the needs of engineering CAD technicians in mind. It lets you design the 3D models for new tools, and even helps you simulate real-world conditions to see how your design will hold up in a stress test.

With the latest updates added to Inventor 2016, this program has become even more user-friendly than before. What can engineering CAD students look forward to?

Inventor 2016 Offers Better Compatibility with Autodesk Software Programs

For many students and CAD professionals, this new feature is the one they feel most pumped about. Why? With this new update, it’ll be much easier to work with files from different CAD programs.

Inventor 2016’s AnyCAD technology helps you open CAD files from other Autodesk programs natively—meaning that you can work on designs you drew up in programs like AutoCAD without having to worry about file translation. In addition, changes made in the native file will automatically be updated in Inventor.

An Updated Freeform Modelling Environment Offers More Options to Students in CAD Courses

If you’re itching to unleash your inner inventor, then you’ll be happy to learn that Inventor 2016 comes with an updated freeform modeling environment.

In past versions of Inventor, freeform modeling capabilities were more limited—especially compared to another top CAD software program called Fusion 360.

Now, though, many of the options available in Fusion 360 are also included in Inventor 2016. Students enrolled in a CAD design course, for example, can start with a basic shape in the freeform database, and then customize it until they have the unique model they need for their design.

New 3D Printing Capabilities Help Grads of CAD Courses Print Larger Designs

As 3D printing becomes more and more popular, CAD software programs are taking note. That’s why Inventor 2016 has updated 3D printing options. These new additions let you orient and position your design for the print space.

Even more impressively, Inventor 2016 allows CAD students and professionals to separate their design into sub-components. That way, larger models that couldn’t normally fit the tight constraints of a 3D printer can be printed out in full.

Improved Help and Learning Resources Benefit New AutoCAD Students

Learning how to use complex programs like Inventor takes time. That’s why friendly and knowledgeable instructors can make all the difference. They can quickly answer questions, and help you become comfortable with new programs as you complete your CAD education.

To help you, even more, Inventor has also made a few changes that help ease new users into using their software. Inventor 2016 comes with updated and improved Help and Topic content so that you can find answers to your questions even more quickly than before.

For new students who’ve just signed up for their first AutoCAD course, this feature might be the most helpful yet!

What innovative new tools or products would you like to create with Autodesk Inventor 2016?

Begin your journey with the support and training of Digital School’s CAD courses.