COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN

Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of computer systems to

aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of designs
for structures, products or parts(computer parts,motor vehicle parts,
manufacturing equipment parts,electrical and mechanical
engineering parts, aircraft parts etc)
Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of computer based tools
to aid in designing, drafting and modeling parts, products or
structures.
Computer-aided design (CAD) can be translated differently based on
the purpose it is used for such as computer assisted or Computer
Aided Drafting or even some related names such as
CADD(Computer Aided Design and Drafting)

Example: 2D CAD drawing

Example: 3D CAD model

CAD (computer-aided design) software is used by architects,

engineers, drafters, artists, and others to create precision drawings
or technical illustrations.. In addition to the software, CAD systems
require a high-quality graphics monitor; a mouse, light pen, or
digitizing tablet for drawing; and a special printer or plotter for
printing design specifications.
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.
CAD output is often in the form of electronic files for print,
machining, or other manufacturing operation
CAD systems allow a designer to view a design from any angle with
the push of a button and to zoom in or out for close-ups and longdistance views. In addition, the computer keeps track of design
dependencies so that when the engineer changes one value, all
other values that depend on it are automatically changed
accordingly.
Until the mid 1980s, all CAD systems were specially constructed
computers. Now, you can buy CAD software that runs on generalpurpose workstations and personal computers.

CAD is an important industrial art extensively used in many

applications, including automotive, shipbuilding, 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.
CAD software can be used to create two-dimensional (2-D) drawings
or three-dimensional (3-D) models .2D CAD has many applications,
but it is commonly used to design vector-based layouts e.g.
architects may use CAD software to create overhead views of
building floor plans and outdoor landscapes;2D CAD also includes
drawings, such as sketches and mockups which are common at the
beginning of the design process. 3D CAD is commonly used in
developing video games and animated films. It also has several realworld applications, such as product design, civil engineering, and
simulation modeling. 3D CAD includes computer-aided
manufacturing (CAM), which involves the actual manufacturing of
three-dimensional objects.

CAD PACKAGES/SOFTWARE
Commercial
a. Autodesk AutoCAD
b. TurboCAD
c. IronCAD
d. MEDUSA
e. ProgeCAD
f. SpaceClaim
g. Rhinoceros 3D
h. VariCAD
i. VectorWorks among others
Freeware and open source
j. 123D
k. LibreCAD
l. FreeCAD
m. BRL-CAD
n. OpenSCAD
o. NanoCAD among others

Disadvantages Of CAD:
a. Costly start up: when initially starting, factors like hardware,
software and location may be required which translates into high
expenses.
b. Training: before proper operation, elaborate training may be
required in order to ensure better product quality, Staff need to
be trained how to use the software, which also adds to costs
c. The software itself can be expensive so initial costs are high.
There are free software packages though.

Advantages in using CAD

a. Drawing to Scale; CAD has the ability of producingvery accurate
designs; drawings that can be created in 2D or 3D and rotated;
other computer programmes can be linked to the design software.
With manual drafting, you must determine the scale of a view
before you start drawing. This scale compares the size of the
actual object to the size of the model drawn on paper.
b. Laying Out The Drawing Conveniently-When you draft manually,
you first select a sheet, which usually includes a pre-printed
border and title block. Then you determine the location for views'
plans, elevations, sections, and details. Finally, you start to
draw.With CAD, you first draw your design, or model, in a working
environment called model space. You can then create a layout for
that model in an environment called paper space.
c. Time saving: it takes a much shorter time to create products as
compared to traditional techniques.
d. Prevents mistakes: some mistakes that may otherwise cost a lot
of money are avoided when CAD is used.
e. Quality: the overall quality of the final product is considerably
higher than that of one produced without CAD.
f. Documentation can be printed in various forms for multiple users
g. Can be more accurate than hand-drawn designs - it reduces
human error.
h. You can save and edit ideas, which makes it easier and cheaper to
modify your design as you go along.

Careers That Use CAD

a.Digital

Circuit Design
b.Software Applications
c.Architecture
d.Industrial Design
e.Engineering(Building, Civil & Construction Engineering, Electrical &
Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering etc.
f. Industrial and Manufacturing process Design
g.Fashion, Apparel and Textile Design
h.Garden Design