What Is CAD Software?
CAD (Computer Aided Design) software is software created to allow the design of archtitectural, engineering and construction projects on a computer. CAD software is used widely in architecture, engineering and construction--anything from designing new homes to designing new spaceships.
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History
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Computer-aided design (CAD) and the related computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) were both originally developed in the 1960s. Even from its origins, CAD allowed a significant reduction in the time and cost of producing new products by allowing engineers to directly produce mechanical drawings themselves, by allowing production of complex shapes to be tested in software and by allowing the rapid development of new assembly lines.
Significance
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CAD software has diversified to include software specializing in house design and planning (architectural CAD), software specializing in producing integrated circuits (with programs such as SPICE), high-end software used by aerospace and space industries, to low-end software used for graphics and computer-generated-imagery (CGI).
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Function
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CAD is used at all phases of a product's life cycle from initial design to decommissioning. It finds its way into the design of new homes, as well as into the redesign of old homes. At the simplest, CAD replaces the functions of the draftsman and his table, allowing detailed drawings to be created with ease. At the most complex, CAD output can be connected directly to machines which form final parts, or to stereo lithographic machines which build parts out of plastic polymers.
Types
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There are three mains types of CAD software: architectural, engineering and construction.
Architectural CAD software is targeted toward producing architectural drawings of buildings, living and working spaces.
Construction CAD software is targeted toward construction of new buildings or renovation of old buildings, and expands upon architectural CAD software by including lists of materials needed, and other information vital to the process of completing a building.
Engineering CAD software is targeted toward developing new machines and vehicles. Included in different engineering CAD software packages is not only an understanding of the strength of materials used, but also methods of determining heat flows, stresses and other qualities of materials necessary to the successful construction of new machinery.
Considerations
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Using most CAD software requires a good knowledge of mathematics and engineering. While there are many architectural CAD software programs designed to be used by the average DIYer (Do-It-Yourselfer), it may be confusing to those who are not comfortably doing their own construction.
Misconceptions
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Like all software, CAD software is only as good as the people using it; it is possible to make massive mistakes without a detailed understanding of the real world in which a CAD design will exist.
There is a lot of CAD software available nowadays ranging from free to very expensive, and price alone should not be used to determine quality.
Benefits
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CAD software allows designs to be completed more quickly, evaluations of new products to be made more rapidly, and generally decreases the time-to-market of mechanisms large and small.
CAD software has allowed industry to move more quickly in designing, developing and deploying new products in all ranges of commerce.
As the price of CAD software continues to plummet, and as the realm of rapid prototyping moves from the very expensive high-end down to the Do-It-Yourself level, it may soon be that individuals at home can design, develop and produce their own unique products for sale around the world.
As CAD software continues to grow in use and decrease in price, its availability increases, potentially allowing any interested person to use it profitably.
Using CAD software requires weeks of learning and a strong interest in engineering and mathematics.
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