Computer-aided design
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Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of computer software to help create, change, analyse or optimize designs. It is meant to help the designer create better quality, more precise, and neater designs. It also helps improve communication of the design by creating documentation for it as well as a database for manufacturing. CAD is used in many places such as architecture and product design.
Computer aided design to some can seem to take longer than the old school way of hand drafting, but what most don't realize is the editing process is much simpler. If you have to edit a hand drafted plate you basically have to re-do the entire thing, vs in AutoCad you can make as many changes as you want and click print. Auto-Cad has come a long way over the last 25 years and now has many built in features that make it much simpler to use and design. It also allows you to make 3-d drawings and break them down into separate templates for each person. The use of layers allows you to make one drawing and turn layers on and off depending on who is looking at the drawing, IE Plumbing, electrical, etc. It is a fantastic tool used by mostly every industry out there.
Advantages and disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Creates a better design | Takes longer to produce the design |
| Creates a more precise design | Costs more than doing it by hand |
| Creates a neater design | Need to train people to use it |
Examples where CAD is used
- Architecture
- Product design
- Shop/building design
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Theatre
- Lighting
- Commercial building
- Residential Building
- Landscaping