About Part Analysis

The analysis commands let you inspect a part to validate its geometric quality before manufacturing.

You can perform several types of analyses on a model, and you can select faces, quilts, or the entire part solid body to analyze. Autodesk Inventor saves the results in an Analysis folder in the browser in the order in which they are created (the newest analysis appears at the bottom of the list in the folder). You can only see one analysis at a time in the graphics window; when you have multiple analyses, you can select them and control their visibility using the browser.

Analyses can be generated in the parts environment as well as the construction environment. However, analyses created in the construction environment are temporary, can’t be saved, and do not appear in the browser. They are erased when you close the analysis dialog box. There are three other key differences for analyses performed in the construction environment:

In addition to selecting faces and quilts, you can also select groups to analyze.
You can select wires for curvature comb analysis.
Cross-section analysis is not available in the construction environment.

Tip: To analyze a part in an assembly file, double-click the part in the assembly to access the parts environment.

About Zebra Analysis

Zebra analysis, also called smoothness analysis, examines surface continuity by projecting parallel lines onto the model. Results show how light reflects off the surface to help you identify areas where the surface quality must be improved.

Curvature is a mathematical indication of the smoothness between two curves or surfaces. The rate of change of direction is called curvature. The smoothness of a curve is usually specified by the letter G followed by a number.

G0 (point) continuity means the endpoints touch. The transition between the two edges or surfaces is noticeable. It can be a sharp or gradual transition. The following image shows a zebra analysis of a G0 intersection between two faces. The faces meet, but the stripes do not line up.

G1 (tangent) continuity is a smooth transition between curves. The two curves or surfaces appear to be traveling in the same direction at the join, but the rate of curvature change (speed) is noticeable. The following image shows a zebra analysis of a G1 intersection between two faces. A tangent fillet exists between the two faces. The stripe edges line up, but contain a sharp angle.

G2 (curvature) continuity is a very smooth transition between curves. The two curves match at the endpoints, are tangent, and have the same "speed" (curvature) at the join. The following image shows a zebra analysis of a G2 intersection between two faces. A Smooth (G2) fillet exists between the two faces. The stripe edges line up and have a smooth transition between the faces.

About Draft Analysis

Draft analysis evaluates if a model has adequate draft between a part and mold (based on the pull direction) and can be manufactured by casting. A spectrum shows draft angle changes within a specified range, correlating to faces that have insufficient draft. Alternate pull directions can reveal different results.

About Cross-Section Analysis

Cross-section analysis provides basic (simple) or detailed (advanced) information about one or more sections of the interior of solid parts. Cross-section analysis also identifies whether the part adheres to the minimum and maximum wall thickness.

The Simple analysis type generates a cutaway view of the part at a single section plane. The Advanced type provides a table of more detailed information on multiple section areas of the model along with a corresponding cross-section graphic.

About Curvature Analysis

Curvature analysis shows the curvature and overall smoothness of model faces, surfaces, sketch curves, and edges. The analysis shows a comb plot that indicates curvature with a series of connected spines radiating outward from the curve. The relative length of the curve is equal to the curvature of the curve at the point where the spine originates. Longer spines indicate areas of higher curvature, and shorter spines indicate lower curvature.

About Surface Analysis

Surface analysis displays surface curvature using a color gradient. The gradient display provides a visual indication of surface curvature, using one of the three available surface analysis types: Gaussian, Mean, or Max curvature.