Computer Aided Design (CAD)

Computer aided design, otherwise known as CAD, involves the use of specific software and computer hardware to assist an individual (such as a designer or engineer) with the development

Computer assisted design and drafting (CADD) is also another term used within the technical community.

Although the production of computerized drawings is often a related component of computer aided design, terms like computer aided drafting and computer-assisted drafting more accurately describe the creation of computer generated drawings.

These computerized drawings can be printed or plotted on hard copy media (such as paper or mylar film), using a printer or plotter, to a precise scale (i.e. 1/8”=1’-0”). Copies of the plotted drawings can then be made and distributed to individuals in various technical fields.

Architects, engineers, building contractors, home builders and do-it-yourselfers, are just a few of the many fields that benefit from this technology.

Various products are built and manufactured every day using two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) drawings and specifications.

Prior to the development of CAD, drawings had to be produced manually using a pencil or pen.

Drawings that required modifications, also needed to be tediously changed by hand; using an eraser and again drawing the revisions manually. Adding further to the manual revision process was the domino effect of revising cross-referenced drawings within a construction document set.

Utilizing CAD to make such modifications has simplified this process.

Not only has CAD forever streamlined the way drawings are initially produced and later revised, but computer aided design has also made the process of developing products less expensive.

Engineers and scientists can now, more cost effectively, build a sample of their product as a virtual model utilizing CAD software. The model can then be tweaked and changed until the desired outcome is achieved.

A car manufacturer, for example, can build its next year’s model “virtually” within the CAD environment and make changes to suit, before physically manufacturing the vehicle.

Interested in a CAD career?

Check out our computer aided drafting career information.

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