Aurora Solar
Aurora Solar is a comprehensive design and sales software platform that helps solar professionals create accurate 3D models, perform remote shading analysis, and generate precise financial proposals to close more residential and commercial solar deals.
Woodwork for Inventor
Woodwork for Inventor is a specialized design-to-manufacturing add-on for Autodesk Inventor that automates furniture modeling, material assignment, hardware placement, and the generation of production documentation and CNC programs.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Aurora Solar | Woodwork for Inventor |
|---|---|---|
| Website | aurorasolar.com | woodworkforinventor.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Custom |
| Starting Price | $135/month | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 0 days free trial | ✓ 45 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2013 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Vilnius, Lithuania |
Overview
Aurora Solar
Aurora Solar provides you with a unified platform to handle everything from initial lead intake to final contract signature. You can create detailed 3D site models using high-resolution aerial imagery and perform LIDAR-based shading analysis without ever visiting the property. This allows you to generate accurate energy production estimates that banks and homeowners trust, reducing the need for expensive truck rolls and manual site audits.
The software streamlines your entire sales workflow by integrating financial modeling, contract generation, and automated plan sets. You can present real-time financing options to your customers and make design adjustments on the fly during sales consultations. Whether you are a local installer or a national solar enterprise, the platform helps you lower customer acquisition costs and accelerate project timelines through automation and precision.
Woodwork for Inventor
Woodwork for Inventor transforms Autodesk Inventor into a dedicated tool for furniture design and manufacturing. You can move from a 3D concept to a finished product faster by using specialized features for skeletal modeling, automated material assignment, and intelligent hardware placement. It eliminates the manual effort of creating hole patterns and joinery, as the software automatically subtracts volumes from connecting parts based on your hardware choices.
You can generate all necessary production data with a single click, including multi-layered bills of materials, automated drawings, and CNC programs. Whether you are designing bespoke cabinetry or mass-produced office furniture, the software ensures your digital models contain all the technical information required for the workshop. It bridges the gap between creative design and technical execution, helping you reduce errors and cut down on preparation time for the factory floor.
Overview
Aurora Solar Features
- AI Auto-Designer Generate optimal solar layouts instantly with AI that accounts for roof obstructions, setbacks, and local code requirements.
- Remote Site Analysis Perform accurate shading analysis and site modeling using LIDAR data and aerial imagery without leaving your office.
- Sales Mode Engage homeowners with interactive 3D walkthroughs and real-time pricing updates during your sales presentations.
- Contract Manager Send and sign legally binding documents directly through the platform to close deals faster and reduce paperwork.
- Battery Storage Modeling Design complex backup systems and show customers exactly how storage impacts their energy independence and savings.
- Automated Plan Sets Convert your designs into permit-ready CAD files automatically to speed up the engineering and approval process.
Woodwork for Inventor Features
- Automated Material Assignment. Assign solid wood, boards, and laminates to your parts to automatically calculate net and gross volumes for production.
- Intelligent Hardware Placement. Place components like hinges or drawer slides using automated scripts that instantly create all necessary holes and cutouts.
- Automatic BOM Generation. Generate detailed bills of materials including cut lists, edge banding requirements, and hardware counts with one click.
- Grain Direction Control. Define and visualize wood grain direction on your 3D models to ensure parts are cut correctly for aesthetics and strength.
- Automated Drawing Creator. Produce assembly and part drawings automatically, including dimensions and annotations, to save hours of manual drafting time.
- Integrated CNC Preparation. Convert your 3D geometry directly into CNC toolpaths for various machines, ensuring what you design is exactly what gets cut.
- Edge Banding Management. Apply edge bands to specific faces of your boards and track their thickness and material in your production reports.
- Nesting Optimization. Arrange your parts on sheets efficiently to minimize material waste and reduce your overall production costs.
Pricing Comparison
Aurora Solar Pricing
- Unlimited residential projects
- High-resolution imagery
- Basic financial modeling
- Standard proposal templates
- Integrated financing options
- Everything in Basic, plus:
- AI-powered roof modeling
- Advanced shading analysis
- Customizable sales proposals
- Contract e-signatures
- Battery storage design
Woodwork for Inventor Pricing
Pros & Cons
Aurora Solar
Pros
- Industry-leading accuracy for remote shading and production estimates
- Professional 3D visualizations help build immediate customer trust
- Significant reduction in site visits saves time and money
- Comprehensive database of global modules and inverters
- Streamlined workflow from initial design to signed contract
Cons
- Higher price point compared to basic layout tools
- Steep learning curve for advanced 3D modeling features
- Occasional lag when rendering complex commercial roof designs
Woodwork for Inventor
Pros
- Significantly reduces time spent on manual hole and joinery creation
- Generates highly accurate bills of materials directly from 3D models
- Seamless integration within the familiar Autodesk Inventor environment
- Excellent handling of complex edge banding and material layering
- Generous 45-day trial period for thorough testing
Cons
- Requires an existing license of Autodesk Inventor to function
- Steep learning curve for users new to parametric modeling
- Pricing is not transparent and requires contacting a reseller