Originally Posted by: Goli4rdI'm going through the second level Of guitar fundamentals and am wondering if being able to play triads and inversions beyond in their root position is just a matter of knowing the notes on the fretboard? Any help is appreciated.

Knowing the notes on the fretboard is key for many important things. Still of course "visualisation" is a good thing. For example, when you learned your first chords you did not even think about what notes you have to use, you just looked for how it "looked".

You can do it like that but still start on knowing the notes soon, it will help you even more to become a good and creative player.