EC-708: Computer Aided

Design
Project Report : Applications of
CAD in Computer Science

Submitted By:
Nishchay Sandhu 95/EC/14
Neeraj Kumar 94/EC/14
Lakshay Kumar 78/EC/14
Contents
 What is CAD?

Here let's consider what we mean when we say computer aided design itself. We
propose the following definition:

Computer aided design is the modeling of physical systems on computers, allowing

both interactive and automatic analysis of design variants, and the expression of
designs in a form suitable for manufacturing.

This definition encompasses all of the types of work that is subsumed under the CAD
umbrella, in all the various areas of application.

This definition implies that simulation is a far more important part of CAD than
design description. I believe that this is true. Also, computer graphics has nothing at
all to do with CAD, except as the servant of design, simulation, or presentation.

To best fulfill the definition of CAD given above, a CAD system should be a
computer system that allows modeling of physical systems. To date, modeling has
been done almost entirely with hard-coded dedicated systems usable only for one
form of design: there's not a lot in common between ANSYS and SPICE. But, after
all, the physical universe is a unified place with common rules, and it's not at all clear
that one should have to write tens of thousands of lines of FORTRAN just to get
started on a general-purpose modeler.

CAD systems to date have developed into general-purpose tools that understand
geometry. From MacDraw to Medusa there is a continuum of knowledge about
geometry and operations on either 2D or 3D primitives. What knowledge of reality
exists is usually welded on as an afterthought (the very word attribute indicates how
reality takes a second seat to geometric description).

A typical CAD system offering has a geometry processor with attached database,
providing a common design database. Analysis and simulation sits on top of this
core, embodied in a host of separate programs which intercommunicate, if at all, only
by passing information through the database. If one wants to create a new analysis
program, well, we have a FORTRAN compiler and library that lets you read the
database.

Need it be this way? Can we not imagine a geometry-based CAD system evolving
into a system which describes physical objects, and knows about the various ways in
which they interact (and can be taught about interactions as we define new forms of
geometry today)? Such a system would encompass all of what a CAD system does
today, and would provide a common user interface and model for working with reality
represented in a database.

CAD in computer Science

As computers become more powerful, and tools evolve that allow us to build larger
and more complex software systems on them, the artificial barriers that keep us
from modeling the real world will fall. Finding the ways to do this best, and to build
the systems that will be used for this is what computer science is really about.

Solving real world problems on real world models is what a software like CAD
provides as a solution. The evolution of computers throughout the ages has indeed
opened new doors and possibilities for CAD softwares to model the real world more
accurately and with a lot more precision.

Thus, the growth of applications in CAD owes a whole lot to the development and
growth in the field of computer science
 Applications in Computer Science

CAD applications such as Revit, AutoCAD and MicroStation provide a flexible

development platform for specialized design and drafting applications. Its open
architecture enables you to customize the CAD application to suit your unique
purposes.

These softwares make extensive use of programming languages in their API. The
availability of flexible IDEs mean that a wide range of programming languages can be
used to program in these softwares.

The following CAD softwares make use of various programming language in

modelling and simulation:

AutoDesk Revit

Autodesk Revit provides a rich API that can be used to customize the products
existing features or by adding entirely new ones. You can automate repetitive,
time-consuming tasks and extend core features without leaving the Autodesk Revit
environment. The API can be used to create custom tools and features that plug
directly into Autodesk Revit, extending its functionality.
Autodesk Revit has a .NET API which means you can use any of the .NET
compliant programming languages (C#, VB.NET, F#, etc.) to develop a plug-in.
While each language has its own relative benefits, C# is the natural choice for this
guide: it is easy-to-learn, easy-to-use and leverages the power of the underlying
.NET Framework. As you become comfortable with the content of this guide - and
more proficient with C# - youll be able to move on to solving more complex
problems with the language.
Despite C# being the natural choice, sometimes there are limitations outside your
control of what languages you can work with within your company. The
programming language VB.NET takes a very close second place to C#, so to
accommodate readers looking to work with VB.NET in Autodesk Revit; we have
provided you all the lesson code in VB.NET.

AutoCad

AutoCad uses ObjectARX programming environment.

The ObjectARX programming environment provides object-oriented C++, C#,
and VB .NET application programming interfaces for developers to use,
customize, and extend AutoCAD software and AutoCAD-based products, such
as AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Mechanical, and AutoCAD Civil 3D
software. A version of ObjectARX for AutoCAD for Mac software is also
available, though not all APIs are available in the Mac version.
ObjectARX programming environment libraries provide versatile sets of tools with
which AutoCAD API developers can take advantage of the open architecture of
AutoCAD software. They also provide direct access to the AutoCAD database
structures, graphics system, and native command definition.
ObjectARX technology helps you to develop fast, efficient, compact CAD
applications. It enables power users to customize AutoCAD software and frees
CAD designers from repetitive tasks. Smaller files, faster drawing operations, and
smooth interoperability make an application built with the ObjectARX
programming environment your best choice for a design software solution.
 Conclusion
Thus, we can conclude that advancement in the field of Computer Science leads
the way to more precise modelling and simulation in the field of Computer Aided
Design. These two fields go hand in hand and CAD owes a lot of its development
to Computer Science where faster and better computations have paved the way for
modern CAD sofwares like Revit, AutoDesk and MicroStation.

These softwares also use a variety of programming languages in their development

and the more easier, flexible and faster these programming language become leads
to better and more accurate performace of CAD softwares.