Before deciding whether CAD software is beneficial to you and your line of business, the questions that first needs to be asked are – what is it, who uses it and what is it used for?
So what is it?
CAD stands for Computer Aided Design and is one of the more recognizable acronyms in the world of Information Technology. In simple terms it is the use of computer technology in the design process and is typically associated with engineering-based industries like industrial design.
However CAD software is invaluable in any industry that produces a tangible object or product. It is useful in many phases of the design process in consumer goods as well as the machinery that is used to produce these.
One of the main advantages of CAD over the more traditional methods is that designs can be corrected or remodeled quickly at little or no extra cost. As computers have become more advanced and as the potential of this software becomes fully realized it has become almost ubiquitous in design industries.
Industries it’s used in
Architects and structural engineers use both 2D and 3D CAD programmes as it allows them to simulate how a building will perform in the real world. Most 3D CAD Design let you apply multiple light sources, rotate objects in three dimensions, and render designs from any angle.
Another industry that has benefited greatly from CAD software in modern times is the automotive. Car manufacturers have always been at the forefront of CAD and use it throughout the design process for everything from engines and circuitry boards to interiors and prototypes of new body styles.
Aside from heavy industries some of the less obvious trades have also found that CAD is a useful tool that can make life easier and improve the quality of their work. Landscapers have found that it allows them to conceptualize their outdoor creations allowing them to make vital decisions on fencing and where best to plant trees and build patios and ponds etc.
Interior designers have found it useful when it comes to visualizing their ideas to clients. Even fashion designers use CAD for certain aspects of their work such as determining the most efficient use of fabrics and to adjust the scale of the pattern to suit different sizes of the garment. It can also be used for virtual fittings with virtual models trying on the clothes for size, giving the designer a clearer idea of how it might look.