CAD, or computer-aided design, is a form of computer technology that assists in the drawing and technical drafting of products and even buildings. Architects use CAD to develop 3D drawings of their designs—CAD can be highly specific and different versions exist for different applications—but its main function is the creation of 2D vector-based models and 3D solid and surface models. Manufacturers use CAD’s capabilities to view specific part and component designs before production, so they can check for flaws and re-design if necessary.
It has it’s origins since the 1940’s but it got it’s initial form that we can relate to the modern ones since 1960’s. Since then it has evolve thanks to try and error, and mainly the evolution of technology. Nonetheless, in an end user level of experience it remains really similar. Main improvings being machine to human interface easier. Main changes being the change of base language. By the use of a variety of key C modules with their own APIs working alongside the specific software GUI the end user enter points. Those points can be input manually, through software functions or imported from external sources (such as real life mapping of a room). Once the data is input, the software will either give it shape and surface as required or furthermore apply physic properties or costs automatically depending on the end user requirement through the GUI. An non-extended list of method for the computer to do so are “boundary representations”, “geometric modeling”…
3D modeling cad not only offers the capacity to draw before hand any kind of projects (from a simple table to an underground mine) since these minimize flaws, prevent accidents, give cost estimations and how it will behave in real word. All of these translate to a gain in time and cost reduction.
References:
- The Importance of CAD and CAM Software: What These Programs Do. https: https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/custom-manufacturing-fabricating/cad-cam-software-explanation/
- Computer-aided design https: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer-aided_design
