What is Computer Aided Design (CAD)? Courses & Careers

CAD is the short form of Computer Aided Design: A combination of arts, science with business practice in the sphere of architecture and engineering. Almost every industry uses computers to store and retrieve information. Computers are also used in design projects.

Computer-aided design (CAD) is use of a wide range of computer based tools that assist engineers, architects and other design professions in their design activities.

It is the main geometry authoring tool within the Product Life-cycle Management process and involves both software and sometimes special-purpose hardware. Current packages range from 2D vector base drafting systems to 3D solid and surface modelers.

• • CAD is used to design, develop and optimize products, which can be goods used by end consumers or intermediate goods used in other products.

• • CAD is also extensively used in the design of tools and machinery used in the manufacture of components, and in the drafting and design of all types of buildings, from small residential types (houses) to the largest commercial and industrial structures (hospitals and factories).

• • CAD is mainly used for detailed engineering of 3D models and/or 2D drawings of physical components, but it is also used throughout the engineering process from conceptual design and layout of products, through strength and dynamic analysis of assemblies to definition of manufacturing methods of components.

• • CAD has become an especially important technology, within the scope of Computer Aided technologies, with benefits such as lower product development costs and a greatly shortened design cycle.

• • CAD enables designers to lay out and develop work on screen, print it out and save it for future editing thus saving time on their drawings.