Frame Generator (Inventor)
The bundled tool for structural-frame design from skeleton geometry plus standard structural shapes (AISC, ANSI, ISO).
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Definition
Frame Generator places structural members (channels, tubes, angles, beams) along a skeleton sketch or skeleton solid edges. Members are trim/extend/notched at intersections, fasteners and gussets placed. BOM auto-aggregates cut lengths.
Why it matters
Steel-frame design (conveyors, machine bases, equipment skids) is a recurring engineering task. Frame Generator automates the placement and BOM aggregation.
Common pitfalls
- Using construction skeleton sketch entities inconsistently — frame placement breaks on sketch edits.
- Mixing custom and standard profiles — BOM column data is inconsistent.
- Not trimming members — visual joints look right but BOM lengths are wrong.
Skeleton-driven framing
Frame Generator places standard structural shapes (ISO/AISC/DIN angle, channel, HSS, I-beam) along the edges of a skeleton sketch or existing geometry. Each member is inserted as its own part in a dedicated frame subassembly and linked back to the skeleton, so moving a skeleton line updates the framing. End treatments — Miter, Trim/Extend, Notch, Lengthen/Shorten — resolve how members meet at joints.
From frame to BOM
Because every member is a real part with a category and size, the assembly BOM and structured parts list report cut lengths and quantities directly. Reuse authored members by publishing custom profiles into the Content Center, and drive repeated frames from the skeleton so a single sketch edit re-cuts the whole structure.
References
Primary and vendor documentation used while writing this page (external links, not republished):
Inventor Ecosystem Context
This concept is a core structural element of the Inventor drafting and engineering environment developed by Autodesk. Autodesk's Windows-native parametric MCAD — strong on large mechanical assemblies, sheet metal, frame generator, and integration with Autodesk Vault and Revit.
Relevant Inventor FAQs
❓ What's the difference between Inventor and Fusion 360?
Inventor is Windows-only desktop, file-based, deep MCAD with Vault integration. Fusion 360 is cross-platform (Win/Mac), cloud-data, broader scope (CAM, electronics, generative design), simpler assemblies. Inventor for established mechanical engineering teams; Fusion 360 for makers, small teams, integrated CAM workflows.
❓ Can Inventor open SOLIDWORKS files?
Indirectly. Inventor doesn't natively read .sldprt/.sldasm; export from SOLIDWORKS to STEP or Parasolid, then open in Inventor. Features import as static geometry without parametric history.
❓ What's in the Product Design & Manufacturing Collection?
Inventor, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Mechanical, Inventor Nastran (FEA), Inventor Tolerance Analysis, Factory Design Utilities, Inventor CAM, Vault Basic, ReCap Pro, and Fusion 360 (selected modules). Most production Inventor users are on PDMC rather than standalone Inventor.
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Autodesk Inventor 2025 | Basics For Beginners | Step-by-Step
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