Computer-aided design

computer aided design

Computer-aided design CAD is the use of computer technology to aid in the design and especially the drafting (technical drawing and engineering drawing) of a part or product, including entire buildings.

How it works

Drafting can be done in two dimensions ("2D") and also in three dimensions ("3D").

What is Drafting

Drafting is the integral communication of technical or engineering drawings. It can represent complex, three-dimensional objects in two-dimensional drawings as well.

Softwares

Softwares assist in all types of jobs on computers.

Specific softwares

Some CAD software is capable of dynamic mathematic modeling, in which case it may be marketed as CADD — computer-aided design and drafting.

Uses

CAD is also used in the design of tools and machinery, used in the manufacture of complicated components.

It is also used in the drafting and design of all types of buildings, from small residential types (houses) to the largest commercial and industrial structures (hospitals and factories).

Main uses

CAD is mainly used for detailed engineering of 3D models and/or 2D drawings of physical components, but it is also used throughout the engineering process from conceptual design and layout of products, through strength and dynamic analysis of assemblies to definition of manufacturing methods of components.

Importance

CAD has become an especially important technology within the scope of computer-aided technologies, with benefits such as lower product development costs and a greatly shortened design cycle. CAD enables designers to lay out and develop work on screen, print it out and save it for future editing, saving time on their drawings.

Using CAD

CAD is one of the many tools used by engineers and designers and is used in many ways depending on the profession of the user and the type of software in question. Each of the different types of CAD systems requires the operator to think differently about how he or she will use them and he or she must design their virtual components in a different manner for each.