What Is CAD? A Beginners Guide

Advances in computer-aided design (CAD) have changed the way designers and engineers work. Before the development of CAD software, designers used manual drafting techniques, such as pencil and paper, to create technical drawings and models. With the help of CAD software, designers can produce complicated designs more easily. 

Explore the benefits of this constantly evolving and improving technology. 

What is CAD?

CAD is the acronym used for computer-aided design software. First introduced back in the 1960s, CAD became more commonly used in the 1980s with the advent of more affordable and powerful computers. Today, CAD software plays a key role in the design process in many industries.

Engineers and designers may use CAD software to create 2D drawings and 3D models of their designs. This allows them to more easily change and modify the design and test different scenarios and outcomes. CAD software also includes various tools and features that help analyze the design (such as stress analysis) and create detailed technical drawings and documentation.

How does CAD work?

CAD software creates digital models of physical objects or structures. The process typically involves the following steps:

• Design: The designer digitally creates a 2D drawing or 3D digital model with CAD and then uses the program’s drawing, modeling, and simulation tools to refine the object’s material or structure’s design.

• Analysis: Designers use CAD software to run simulations or analyze the design. This may involve analyzing stress, flow, or other factors that impact functionality, safety, and other requirements.

• Documentation: Using CAD software, designers can generate technical drawings and documentation, including dimensions, annotations, and additional details necessary to communicate the design to others.

• Manufacturing: CAD software can also create instructions for manufacturing or construction processes. This may involve generating computer numerical control (CNC) machine code or 3D printing files to create physical objects based on the digital design.

Types of CAD

All CAD programs utilize computers to develop, modify, and optimize designs. However, the type of CAD software used can vary depending on your application.

2D

2D CAD, or two-dimensional computer-aided design, creates 2D digital models or drawings of objects or structures. Industries such as architecture and engineering, where flat or planar designs are more common, use 2D CAD for tasks such as drafting or creating technical documentation.

2.5D

2.5D CAD creates designs that have a combination of 2D and 3D features. Manufacturers might use 2.5D CAD in CNC milling, where the machine operates in a two-dimensional plane but can create objects with complex shapes and contours.

3D CAD

3D CAD, or three-dimensional computer-aided design, creates 3D digital models of objects or structures. 3D CAD allows designers to visualize their designs in 3D, simulate how the design will behave in the real world, and produce technical documentation for manufacturing or construction.

CAD using neutral file formats

Using neutral file formats allows you to leverage various CAD software programs. Since neutral file formats work with multiple programs, designers and engineers can collaborate more easily on projects.

CAD using native file formats

Native file formats are specific to your particular CAD software program. This lets you enjoy greater functionality because you can apply the full features and capabilities of that software. However, collaboration across different CAD platforms is more challenging.

Benefits of using CAD

Using CAD offers significant advantages to engineers and designers, including increased productivity, accuracy, and collaboration. The following list explores several key benefits of this technology.

Enhanced productivity

CAD allows designers to get work done faster. Rather than the lengthy process of drafting designs by hand, designers can now leverage CAD software to quickly develop sketches, experiment with different ideas, and make changes as needed.

Increased accuracy

CAD software supports the creation of precise and accurate digital models. CAD enables designers to make precise measurements, which can help reduce errors easily.

Automation

The computer software can draw, render, and model. Automating these tasks can streamline processes and also help reduce errors. This allows you to be more creative and explore more complicated designs. 

Libraries

CAD software often includes libraries of pre-designed components, such as fasteners, fittings, and symbols, which can help save time and improve design accuracy. Users can build their own libraries and customize them to include industry-specific components or parts unique to a particular company or project.

Easy adjustments

CAD software makes it easy to adjust designs, such as changing dimensions or modifying features. This can help streamline the design process and reduce errors, which proves particularly useful when making changes to complex or intricate designs.

Increased collaboration

CAD software allows you to collaborate with others, such as engineers, architects, or manufacturers, to share designs and work together on the design process. Cloud-based CAD software allows a team to work on the same designs remotely.

Visualization

CAD software lets you create 3D models of your designs and see how the final product will look and function. The opportunity to visualize and test designs before manufacturing can accelerate development while reducing assembly line errors.

Optimization

With CAD software, you can optimize your design weight, strength, or cost. The modeling helps you reduce waste during the manufacturing process.

Increased quality

CAD software helps improve the overall quality of the final product. CAD supports quick prototyping and direct design transfer, in which the model seamlessly transfers directly to the manufacturing equipment. This efficient design transfer can help cut waste, increase accuracy, and reduce errors.

CAD limitations 

CAD helps designers in many industries. Nevertheless, you may want to consider some potential limitations as well: 

• Licensing the software can prove costly. However, you could instead use free, open-source CAD software. 

• Learning CAD takes time. But you can find tutorials online and take courses to gain your needed skills. Your hard work can lead to many different career paths.

• CAD software needs a lot of processing power. You might think of this as an investment because the processor you need for CAD also supports an enhanced gaming and streaming experience.

Applications of CAD 

You’ll see CAD used in several different industries as engineers, architects, designers, and others embrace the technology. Each industry will use the software in its own way.

Engineering

Engineers use CAD to design and test complex machinery and structures. Typical applications include civil engineers designing infrastructure, mechanical engineers designing automotive parts, or electrical engineers creating electrical systems. Aerospace engineers could use CAD to design planes or specific parts.

Architecture

Architects use CAD to develop building plans and models. This digital technology still requires drafting skills, but architects can render their drawings more quickly and accurately using CAD.

City planning 

Urban planners can use CAD to analyze plots of land and decide how to develop or landscape parts of their jurisdiction, and civil engineers use CAD to lay out roadways and sewage systems.

Manufacturing 

In manufacturing, CAD software is often used to create designs for products such as cars and consumer electronics. Digital design tools also support computer numerical control (CNC) production, rapid prototyping, and assembly modeling.

Designer uses

CAD is a helpful tool in many types of creative design processes. These include:

• Graphic design: With CAD, graphic designers can mock up their ideas and move objects around to decide on the best look. 

• Interior/exterior design: Interior and exterior designers use CAD to visualize how their ideas will look in the space. Interior designers might draw floor plans to decide how to decorate a room.

• Fashion design: Fashion designers can use CAD to create patterns, sketch their design ideas, and alter garment sizes. 

• Game design: To create alternate worlds for game users, designers often rely on CAD software to develop characters and their environments.

• Product design: Industrial designers use CAD to visualize product components and analyze their functionalities.

CAD tools to know 

You have various types of CAD software to choose from depending on your industry. Some of the more common CAD tools include: 

• AutoCAD: You’ll see Autodesk’s AutoCAD used in architecture, engineering, and construction. Known for its 2D capabilities, AutoCAD also has a range of 3D modeling tools.

• MicroStation: Bentley Systems’s MicroStation helps architects and engineers handle large and complex projects with advanced 3D modeling capabilities.

• Catia: Common in the aerospace, automotive, and industrial design industries, Catia has a range of 3D modeling tools and simulation capabilities.

• SolidWorks: This popular CAD software program, designed for mechanical engineering and product design, runs on Microsoft Windows with various 3D modeling tools and simulation capabilities.

• LibreCAD: A free and open-source CAD software program, LibreCAD provides 2D drafting tools for Windows, Apple, and Linux.

Next steps

Thanks to its versatility in design and visualization, CAD software is an essential tool in industries such as engineering, manufacturing, architecture, fashion, and video games. You can learn more about the applications of 3D CAD for free by enrolling in the intermediate-level course, 3D CAD Application, offered by the National Taiwan University on Coursera.