Whitepaper Bunce

Usability Testing
Solidworks vs. Autodesk Inventor

Ben Bunce
Table of Contents
Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
Tests: ................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Environment ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
Metrics .............................................................................................................................................................. 4
Results................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Task 1 ................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Solidworks ..................................................................................................................................................... 5
Inventor......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Task 2 ................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Solidworks ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
Inventor......................................................................................................................................................... 7
Task 3 ................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Solidworks ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
Inventor......................................................................................................................................................... 9
Task 4 .............................................................................................................................................................. 11
Solidworks ................................................................................................................................................... 11
Inventor....................................................................................................................................................... 11
Task 5 .............................................................................................................................................................. 13
Solidworks ................................................................................................................................................... 13
Inventor....................................................................................................................................................... 13
Task 6 .............................................................................................................................................................. 15
Solidworks ................................................................................................................................................... 15
Inventor....................................................................................................................................................... 15
Task 7 .............................................................................................................................................................. 17
Solidworks ................................................................................................................................................... 17
Inventor....................................................................................................................................................... 17
Task 8 .............................................................................................................................................................. 19
Solidworks ................................................................................................................................................... 19
Inventor....................................................................................................................................................... 19
Task 9 .............................................................................................................................................................. 21
Solidworks ................................................................................................................................................... 21
2
Inventor....................................................................................................................................................... 21
Task 10 ............................................................................................................................................................ 23
Solidworks ................................................................................................................................................... 23
Inventor....................................................................................................................................................... 23
Conclusion........................................................................................................................................................... 25
Bibliography ........................................................................................................................................................ 25
Appendix ............................................................................................................................................................. 26
3
Introduction
In the world of 3D modeling, there are two major players. These two are Solidworks from Dassault Systems,
and Autodesk Inventor. In an industry setting, Solidworks and Inventor play a key role in the modeling 3D
components for testing and production. This white paper will outline the results of key usability tests
designed to accurately compare both platforms.
Methodology
In this evaluation, ten usability tests will be performed on each platform to compare key features.
Tests:
1. Create solid cube
2. Cut shape from cube
3. Export design as STL
4. Create drawing from design
5. Create Assembly
6. Join parts in assembly
7. Change views
8. Create offset plane
9. Change part material
10. Measure length
Environment
Tests will be performed on a personal desktop (Dell OptiPlex 5040), running windows 10. Solidworks 2020
and Autodesk Inventor 2019 will be used for the comparisons.
Metrics
Metric Rating Scale
Effective Task completed successfully
Strong Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4
Efficient How many clicks to complete task
1 2 3 4
Engaging The task did not distract and kept engagement
1 2 3 4
Error Tolerant Errors are easy to identify and fix
1 2 3 4
4
Easy to Learn Simple to perform without prior experience
1 2 3 4
Results
Task 1
Solidworks
Creating a square cube in Solidworks was straightforward and easy. This task did not require looking at any
reference documents for help; however, because I am familiar with Solidworks, some of the terminology that
I understand, could be difficult for a newcomer to the software to understand. To complete this task it took
less than 15 clicks of the mouse.
Inventor
Creating a square cube in Inventor was similarly easy as with Solidworks. This task did not require looking at
any reference documents for help, and all the terminology was simple to understand even for a new user.
The main difference came when sketching the square, which was far easier in Inventor than in Solidworks. To
create a square in Solidworks, then general shape had to be drawn before the dimensions could be added. In
Inventor, the dimensions could be added as the shape was drawn, resulting in far fewer clicks when using
Inventor than Solidworks.
5
Overall, the task of creating a square cube proved to be easy in both software, but Inventor was quicker and
more efficient to perform the task with.
Software Effective Efficient Engaging Error Tolerant Easy to Learn
Solidworks 4 3 4 4 3
Inventor 4 4 4 4 3
6
Task 2
Solidworks
For this task, a circular hole was cut from the square made in the previous task. When using Solidworks, this
task again was fairly quick and easy. This task did not require looking at any documentation and used
straightforward terminology in the names of the tools used. The number of clicks was less than ten to create
this cut, which was short enough that it kept you engaged throughout the whole process. Because there was
not many actions made to perform this task, there was not much room for error; however, if an error occurs,
it is very easy to go back and fix.
Inventor
Similarly to Solidworks, this task was very easy and straightforward in Inventor. This task did not require
looking at any documentation and used straightforward terminology in the names of the tools used. The
number of clicks to perform this task was greater than Solidworks, as Solidworks has a different tool for
cutting and extruding, whereas Inventor uses the same tool and forces you to choose after selecting the tool.
Despite this, the number of clicks was still low enough that it kept you engaged in the process and did not
leave much room for error. If an error did occur, Inventor also makes it easy to go back and fix or redo the
cut.
7
Overall, cuts in both software were easy to perform, even with only basic knowledge of the programs.
Solidworks was simpler than Inventor, as there is a separate tool for cuts and extrudes, as opposed to one
shared tool, so for this task Solidworks scores higher overall.

Inventor 4 3 4 4 3
8
Task 3
Solidworks
Exporting a part as an STL file is an important part of a design software as it is a common file type for sharing
and 3D printing. Solidworks used the ‘save as’ function and included a file option of ‘.STL’ as the method for
exporting a file as an STL. Once in the ‘save as’ function this task is simple; however, Solidworks hid the
function behind their logo requiring you to mouse over the logo in order to find the function. While this task
was fairly efficient, it was not the easiest task to learn if you did not already have an idea of where to look.
Solidworks did choose to use the Windows file explorer as opposed to their own though, which is very
efficient for someone already familiar with the Windows file explorer.
Inventor
Exporting a part as an STL file in Inventor was not as similar to Solidworks as previous tasks have been. To
export a part as an STL in Inventor, the file menu is opened and then there is an export function which points
you to an STL option. In my experience, this layout was easier to find and understand than Solidworks and
required less knowledge of the program to find. Inventor also chose to make their file menu readily available
and easy to find, when compared to Solidworks. Inventor did lag behind Solidworks however, when it came
to the file explorer. Inventor chose to use their own opposed to the Windows one, which was less efficient
and harder to find the correct file location to save in.
9
Overall, both software options had their benefits and disadvantages, which in the end evened out to an even
score. The error tolerance was good for both; however, a lower score was given because if an error is made,
you have to leave the program to make changes to an exported file.

Inventor 4 3 4 3 3
10
Task 4
Solidworks
Creating a drawing from a part in Solidworks is an important task to be able to do, as drawings are an
essential way to present a design. This task took some time to complete and would require using some
external help to understand how to create one. Once the file itself is created, it is not difficult to add views of
a part, but it does take some understanding of the terms used to perform this function. This task was not
overly efficient, as there was not a straightforward way to create a drawing from a part, which also led to it
not being fully engaging. When an error does occur, there is some difficulty in resolving the errors.
Inventor
Creating a design from a part in Inventor proved to be a similar experience to Solidworks. The process was
almost identical, requiring the user to create a new drawing then opening the part in the drawing to add
views. This task also would require external help if the user did not already have a basic understanding of
drawings, as many of the terms and processes are difficult to understand. This task was not overly efficient,
as there was not a straightforward way to create a drawing from a part, which also led to it not being fully
engaging. When an error does occur, there is some difficulty in resolving the errors.
11
Overall, both software options were almost identical when it came to creating a drawing from a part.
Because they shared so many similarities with the process, neither software was necessarily better, as they
both had the same benefits and disadvantages in the process.

Inventor 3 3 4 2 3
12
Task 5
Solidworks
Creating an assembly is an important function as it is how multiple parts can be placed together. In
Solidworks, an assembly is created by making a new assembly file and then using the ‘insert component’
function to add parts. Solidworks also has the ability to easily add components that are currently open, which
is very efficient when you have the parts you want to assemble already open. This process was simple to
learn if you already know what an assembly is, so there was no need to use external help, and all the
functions were easily identifiable by their name. If any errors were to occur, Solidworks makes it easy to fix
them using either undo or editing the action used.
Inventor
Inventor shared a similar process for creating an assembly as Solidworks; however, not as simple for adding
components. Once an assembly is created, to add components is slightly more complicated as it is not easy to
select parts that are already open, as the file explorer must be used to open any parts. This makes Inventor
not as efficient for adding components to an assembly. Inventor did prove to be easy to learn how to make
assemblies, and similarly to Solidworks, was easy to resolve any errors that arose.
13
Overall, both software options proved easy and powerful in creating assemblies. Solidworks was more
efficient for adding components though, which is the only major area that the two software options differed.
Solidworks also continues to use the Windows file explorer which is far easier to navigate than Inventors.

Inventor 4 3 4 4 4
14
Task 6
Solidworks
Creating joins in assemblies are important functions as they are what makes an assembly of parts actually
assemble. Solidworks join function is called ‘mate’, which is an understandable name given the function it
performs. Using the mate tool is relatively easy for simple joins, and even more difficult joins can be done
without much knowledge of the program. Performing the mate requires vary little clicks and is an efficient
process. If to many mates are done, errors can occur, which can be difficult to correct.
Inventor
Creating joins in Inventor was not as similar to Solidworks as other tasks have been. Joins in Inventor have
been named ‘constraints’, which is a name that is not as understandable as the name Solidworks chose.
Performing the constraint itself took a similar number of clicks; however, it required more background
knowledge to perform. The constraints were also not as forgiving of errors, as many of the terms are not as
understandable, and the menus are more difficult to navigate.
15
Overall, performing a join in Solidworks was an easier process to learn and more forgiving to mistakes.
Solidworks also used more familiar terms to describe actions, and the menus used were cleaner with better
description and options.

Inventor 4 3 4 3 3
16
Task 7
Solidworks
Changing views of a part is important as 3D parts have multiple views and you need to be able to look at all
them. Solidworks makes this task easy by allowing you to zoom in and out with the mouse, and press down
on the mouth scroll to rotate around the part. Solidworks also has a view orientation cube, where you can
select predefined angles to view from. The one disadvantage is this cube is not apparent at first, and can be
difficult to find for a beginner. Because there is not much happening when changing views, there is not much
room for error.
Inventor
Changing views in Inventor is fairly similar to Solidworks. Inventor uses the scroll wheel to zoom in and out,
and also allows the use of the scroll wheel to rotate around the part; however, to do this the ‘shift’ key must
be pressed at the same time. Inventor also has a cube in the top right corner that performs a similar function
of letting the user view from predefined angles. Because there is not much happening when changing views,
there is not much room for error.
17
Overall, both software options performed vary similarly for this task. Solidworks had the advantage of not
forcing you to hold the ‘shift’ key to rotate views, but Inventor made the view cube far easier to find.

Inventor 4 4 4 4 4
18
Task 8
Solidworks
Creating an offset plane is necessary for creating sketches that are not on an existing surface. Solidworks
makes this process easy once you know where to look. If you are not familiar with the program, it can take a
bit to find the function and know it’s the right function. Once the function is found, the action itself is easy
and requires very few clicks to complete. If an error does occur, going back and changing the plane is simple
and just requires selecting the plane and editing it.
Inventor
Creating an offset plane in Inventor is a simple process even if you have no prior knowledge. Inventor placed
the ‘plane’ function in a very visible place, and the offset function is included under the function when
selected. Once launched, the process requires only a couple clicks and you are done. If an error does occur,
going back and changing the plane is simple and just requires selecting the plane and editing it.
19
Both software options had similar procedures for creating an offset plane. Inventors was easier to find and
used a more direct approach to get the user to understand the use of the function. Because of this, Inventor
was overall the better option for creating an offset plane.

Inventor 4 4 4 4 4
20
Task 9
Solidworks
Changing the material of a part is especially important in the design process as it is necessary for further
simulation. Solidworks makes this process easy by having a material option in the hierarchy of the part. Once
selected, an easy to navigate menu opens that offers countless material options to chose from, as well as
complete breakdowns of every aspect of the material. This is very useful for selecting the correct material
and understanding the characteristics of it. Performing this task takes no prior knowledge as it is well labeled,
and if any errors occur, they are straightforward to solve.
Inventor
In Inventor, the process of changing a material is similar; however, not as easily identifiable. The material
option is not labeled as material, but instead as ‘generic’, identifying the current selected material instead of
the actual function. Once opened, the menu provides very little information about the materials available,
and it is far less organized. If a wrong material is selected, it is easy to change back making this task error
tolerant.
21
Overall, Solidworks menu for materials is far more useful, as it is well organized and provides useful
information about each material. Solidworks material options is also well labeled which makes it easy to
identify, compared to Inventors, which is not well labeled and does not provide much information about the
materials available.

Inventor 4 3 4 3 3
22
Task 10
Solidworks
Measuring the length of an object is an important analysis tool to be able to use. Solidworks provides an easy
to find tool accurately named ‘measure’, which provides a useful interface for taking measurements of
various aspects of a part. The measure tool allows measurement from vertices, sides, and points, and returns
a variety of measurement results. This tool is engaging and easy to learn; however, when errors occur, it is
necessary to start from the beginning making it not the most forgiving.
Inventor
Measuring in Inventor is done using an equally well named tool, also called ‘measure’. This tool acts similarly
to the one in Solidworks, allowing the user to measure from vertices, sides, and points, and returns a
distance. This tool does not provide as much feedback as the Solidworks tool, and this tool suffers from the
same error issue, making it not the most forgiving tool to use.
23
Overall, both tools are easy to use and are well identifiable. The Solidworks tool does provide more results,
which is the only area that the tools differ. In all other aspects the tools are almost identical, which makes the
Solidworks measure tool slightly better.

Inventor 4 3 4 2 4
24
Conclusion
When looking at 3D CAD software, there are two major players in the market: Solidworks and Inventor. Both
software options performed similarly on most tests, and both had their advantages and disadvantages.
Solidworks in general tended to have a better user interface and cleaner menus; however, in basic design
areas it was not as efficient as Inventor. Solidworks tended to use easier to understand names for their
functions, while Inventor did a better job at placing their functions in easy to find locations. Overall, both
software options did a good job at creating basic designs, and are adequate options for most design work
Bibliography
Dassault Systems. Solidworks, 2020, solidworks.com. Accessed Nov. 2021.
Autodesk Inc. Inventor, 2019, Autodesk.com. Accessed Nov. 2021.
25
Appendix
Task 1 – Create Solid Cube
Solidworks Inventor
Metric Note Metric Note
Effective Effective
Strong Disagree Agree Strongly Strong Disagree Agree Strongly
Disagree Agree Disagree Agree
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Efficient Efficient
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Engaging Engaging
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Error Tolerant Error Tolerant
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Easy to Learn Easy to Learn
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
26
Task 4 – Create Drawing from Design
Solidworks Inventor
Effective Effective
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Efficient Efficient
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Engaging Engaging
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
27
Task 2 – Cut Shape from Cube
Solidworks Inventor
Effective Effective
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Efficient Efficient
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Engaging Engaging
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
28
Task 3 – Export Design as STL
Solidworks Inventor
Effective Effective
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Efficient Efficient
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Engaging Engaging
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
29
Task 5 – Create Assembly
Solidworks Inventor
Effective Effective
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Efficient Efficient
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Engaging Engaging
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
30
Task 6 – Join Parts in Assembly
Solidworks Inventor
Effective Effective
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Efficient Efficient
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Engaging Engaging
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
31
Task 7 – Change Views
Solidworks Inventor
Effective Effective
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Efficient Efficient
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Engaging Engaging
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
32
Task 8 – Create Offset Plane
Solidworks Inventor
Effective Effective
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Efficient Efficient
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Engaging Engaging
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
33
Task 9 – Change Part Material
Solidworks Inventor
Effective Effective
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Efficient Efficient
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Engaging Engaging
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
34
Task 10 – Measure Length
Solidworks Inventor
Effective Effective
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Efficient Efficient
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Engaging Engaging
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
35

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Usability Testing

Solidworks vs. Autodesk Inventor

Software Effective Efficient Engaging Error Tolerant Easy to Learn

Software Effective Efficient Engaging Error Tolerant Easy to Learn

Software Effective Efficient Engaging Error Tolerant Easy to Learn

Software Effective Efficient Engaging Error Tolerant Easy to Learn

Software Effective Efficient Engaging Error Tolerant Easy to Learn

Software Effective Efficient Engaging Error Tolerant Easy to Learn

Software Effective Efficient Engaging Error Tolerant Easy to Learn

Software Effective Efficient Engaging Error Tolerant Easy to Learn

Software Effective Efficient Engaging Error Tolerant Easy to Learn

Autodesk Inc. Inventor, 2019, Autodesk.com. Accessed Nov. 2021.

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