Computer
Aided Design (CAD) is a form of software automation that uses various
computer-aided design tools that helps engineers, architects and
other professionals in the design activity purposes. It is considered
to be both software and special-purpose hardware. In product lifecycle
management, the use of geometric tools plays a significant role.
The CAD is available in various packages ranging from 2D vector based
drafting systems to 3D parametric surface and solid design modelers.
CAD allows you to prepare fast and accurate drawings. Virtually anything can
be constructed and built as a design model developed in the CAD system. The flexibility
to alter the drawings is performed very easily with a minimal effort. It is also
referred as Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD). It is sometimes translated
as computer-assisted or computer-aided drafting. The tool provides you a better
and the faster way of developing the drawings with better creativity.
CAD is used in major areas like applications that involve computer graphics,
computer- aided manufacturing, solid modeling, solving by constraints, architectural
purpose and VLSI design. Other fields that use the CAD are Architecture Engineering
and Construction, Building Engineering (AEC), Mechanical CAD (MCAD), Electronic
and Electrical (ECAD), manufacturing process planning, and digital circuit design.
CAD uses four basic phases that are used for designing and manufacturing. They
are the requirement phase which collects the basic requirements and conceives
the basic idea. The designing phase uses detailed component modeling and assembly
modeling. The development phase uses engineering drawings. The tool design is
used in the manufacturing phase.
Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), CAD/CAM applications, CAD scanners, CAD resources,
and the software used by these computer-aided techniques all enable the drawing
to be developed quickly and easily. General purpose CAD software, 3D rendering
software, CAD/CAM software, facility management CAD, architectural CAD software,
solid modeling CAD software and Mechanical CAD (MCAD) are the major computer-aided
software applications that are used.
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