Autodesk Inventor is a parametric feature-based solid modeling application. Parameters of all objects are modifiable. To construct a 3D solid model, you think about how to decompose it into features, construct the features one by one, and combine them as you construct them.

Sketched solid features derive from sketches. There are four basic kinds of sketched solid features: extruded, revolved, loft, and sweep. In addition, there are other kinds of sketched features: coil, rib, and split.

To make an extruded solid feature, you make a sketch and extrude the sketch in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the sketch. (See Figure 2â 1.) You extrude the sketch in either direction or from mid-plane.

Construction of a sweep solid feature requires two sketches: a profile sketch and a path sketch. The sweep solidâ s volume is defined by sweeping the profile sketch along the path sketch. There are two kinds of path sketch: 2D path sketch and 3D path sketch. Sweeping a profile sketch along a 2D path sketch, you construct a 2D sweep solid feature. Sweeping a profile sketch along a 3D path sketch, you get a 3D sweep solid feature.

Source: acad-atc.ic.polyu.edu.hk