Heavy-duty users of Inventor are always looking for ways to improve performance. Surprisingly, you don't have to beef up the RAM (although that doesn't hurt), some simple "best practices" can result in visible improvement.

1) Don't add fillet to your sketches. Instead add fillets to features. It speeds up processing time immensely.

2) If you have a single row or column of holes that need to be inserted, place a single hole and then pattern it. Don't create a sketch with multiple points and then turn them into holes. However, if your pattern involves rows and columns, it is better to place your holes using points.

3) Don't use long file paths...if Inventor has to constantly search down several sub-folders for links and files and it will slow the system down. Try to keep your project files located as close to the top drive letter as possible. Don't put files in folders not located in the project path or in a subfolder above the main project subfolder.

4) Don't create a lot of unnecessary workplanes. This is a common error by ex-Pro/E guys. You can use your existing faces as a workplane. I rarely make a workplane unless it is to add a mid-center workplane to allow me to mirror features. (A fast way to create the mid-center workplane is to select the opposite faces of the model...don't use the parallel plane option.)

5) Work off your local drive and not the server. Don't let server traffic slow you down. Work locally, not globally.

Feel free to email me to share any tips you may have...CAD work is a lot more enjoyable when you are working and not waiting.