So, you've been upgraded to Inventor from AutoCAD....

   The first thing I tell anybody who is starting Inventor after having used AutoCAD (and to a lesser extent, MDT) is forget everything you know about how to model. Yep, they are very different indeed. Those who have used MDT before, however, will have the advantage of understanding sketches, constraints and part or assembly trees.
Rule No. 1 - Read the instruction manual, or in this case, the getting started book and the online help. Tutorials are also available with the software, as well as at such sites as Sean Dotson's Tutoial Page  http://www.sdotson.com/tutorials.asp
Rule No. 2 - If in doubt, ask. It may be possible that what you are trying to do can be done a whole lot easier another way. Ask your co-workers, and try online at such great sites as AUGI http://www.forums.augi.com or Autodesk's Inventor discussion page http://discussion.autodesk.com/forum.jspa?forumID=78
Rule No. 3 - Take your time, and concentrate on getting things done in the right order, it will make your life a whole lot easier down the track.
Next week.... Part modelling tips and tricks for beginners.