Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of computers (or workstations) to aid in the creation,

modification, analysis, or optimization of a design.[1] CAD software is used to increase the productivity
of the designer, improve the quality of design, improve communications through documentation, and to
create a database for manufacturing.[2] Designs made through CAD software are helpful in protecting
products and inventions when used in patent applications. CAD output is often in the form of electronic
files for print, machining, or other manufacturing operations. The term CADD (for computer aided
design and drafting) is also used.[3]

Example: 2D CAD drawing

Example: 3D CAD model

Its use in designing electronic systems is known as electronic design automation (EDA). In mechanical
design it is known as mechanical design automation (MDA) or computer-aided drafting (CAD), which
includes the process of creating a technical drawing with the use of computer software.[4]

CAD software for mechanical design uses either vector-based graphics to depict the objects of
traditional drafting, or may also produce raster graphics showing the overall appearance of designed
objects. However, it involves more than just shapes. As in the manual drafting of technical and
engineering drawings, the output of CAD must convey information, such as materials, processes,
dimensions, and tolerances, according to application-specific conventions.

CAD may be used to design curves and figures in two-dimensional (2D) space; or curves, surfaces, and
solids in three-dimensional (3D) space.[5]

CAD is an important industrial art extensively used in many applications, including automotive,
shipbuilding, and aerospace industries, industrial and architectural design, prosthetics, and many more.
CAD is also widely used to produce computer animation for special effects in movies, advertising and
technical manuals, often called DCC digital content creation. The modern ubiquity and power of
computers means that even perfume bottles and shampoo dispensers are designed using techniques
unheard of by engineers of the 1960s. Because of its enormous economic importance, CAD has been a
major driving force for research in computational geometry, computer graphics (both hardware and
software), and discrete differential geometry.[6]
The design of geometric models for object shapes, in particular, is occasionally called computer-aided
geometric design (CAGD

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Introduction to CAD

CAD (Computer Aided Design) is the use of computer software to design and document a product’s
design process.

Engineering drawing entails the use of graphical symbols such as points, lines, curves, planes and
shapes. Essentially, it gives detailed description about any component in a graphical form.

Background

Engineering drawings have been in use for more than 2000 years. However, the use of orthographic
projections was formally introduced by the French mathematician Gaspard Monge in the eighteenth
century.

Since visual objects transcend languages, engineering drawings have evolved and become popular over
the years. While earlier engineering drawings were handmade, studies have shown that engineering
designs are quite complicated. A solution to many engineering problems requires a combination of
organization, analysis, problem solving principles and a graphical representation of the problem. Objects
in engineering are represented by a technical drawing (also called as drafting) that represents designs
and specifications of the physical object and data relationships. Since a technical drawing is precise and
communicates all information of the object clearly, it has to be precise. This is where CAD comes to the
fore.
CAD stands for Computer Aided Design. CAD is used to design, develop and optimize products. While it
is very versatile, CAD is extensively used in the design of tools and equipment required in the
manufacturing process as well as in the construction domain. CAD enables design engineers to layout
and to develop their work on a computer screen, print and save it for future editing.

When it was introduced first, CAD was not exactly an economic proposition because the machines at
those times were very costly. The increasing computer power in the later part of the twentieth century,
with the arrival of minicomputer and subsequently the microprocessor, has allowed engineers to use
CAD files that are an accurate representation of the dimensions / properties of the object.

Use of CAD

CAD is used to accomplish preliminary design and layouts, design details and calculations, creating 3-D
models, creating and releasing drawings, as well as interfacing with analysis, marketing, manufacturing,
and end-user personnel.

CAD facilitates the manufacturing process by transferring detailed information about a product in an
automated form that can be universally interpreted by trained personnel. It can be used to produce
either two-dimensional or three-dimensional diagrams. The use of CAD software tools allow the object
to be viewed from any angle, even from the inside looking out. One of the main advantages of a CAD
drawing is that the editing is a fast process as compared to manual method. Apart from detailed
engineering of 2D or 3D models, CAD is widely used from conceptual design and layout of products to
definition of manufacturing of components. CAD reduces design time by allowing precise simulation
rather than build and test physical prototypes. Integrating CAD with CAM (Computer Aided
Manufacturing) streamlines the product development even more.

CAD is currently widely used for industrial products, animated movies and other applications. A special
printer or plotter is usually required for printing professional design renderings. CAD programs use
either vector-based graphics or raster graphics that show how an object will look.

CAD software enables

Increase in the Engineer’s productivity

Improve record keeping through better documentation and communication

Today, the use of CAD has permeated almost all industries. From aerospace, electronics to
manufacturing, CAD is used in all industry verticals. Since CAD encourages creativity and speeds up
productivity, it is becoming more and more useful as an important tool for visualization before actually
implementing a manufacturing process. That is also one of the reasons CAD training is gaining more and
more importance.

Types of CAD Software

Since its introduction in late 1960’s, CAD software has improved by leaps and bounds. A broad
classification of CAD is:

2D CAD

3D CAD

3D Wireframe and Surface Modelling

Solid Modelling

With more and more companies (if not all) turning to CAD / CAE / CAM to achieve efficiency, accuracy
and reduced time-to-market of products, there is a growing demand for CAD software. The industry
leaders in this space include AutoCAD, Dassault Systems and Altair.

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