See also: History of CAD software Overview of CAD software The design of geometric models for object shapes, in particular, is occasionally called computer-aided geometric design ( CAGD). Because of its enormous economic importance, CAD has been a major driving force for research in computational geometry, computer graphics (both hardware and software), and discrete differential geometry.

The modern ubiquity and power of computers means that even perfume bottles and shampoo dispensers are designed using techniques unheard of by engineers of the 1960s.

CAD is also widely used to produce computer animation for special effects in movies, advertising and technical manuals, often called DCC digital content creation. ĬAD is an important industrial art extensively used in many applications, including automotive, shipbuilding, and aerospace industries, industrial and architectural design, prosthetics, and many more. As in the manual drafting of technical and engineering drawings, the output of CAD must convey information, such as materials, processes, dimensions, and tolerances, according to application-specific conventions.ĬAD may be used to design curves and figures in two-dimensional (2D) space or curves, surfaces, and solids in three-dimensional (3D) space. However, it involves more than just shapes. ĬAD software for mechanical design uses either vector-based graphics to depict the objects of traditional drafting, or may also produce raster graphics showing the overall appearance of designed objects. In mechanical design it is known as mechanical design automation ( MDA) or computer-aided drafting ( CAD), which includes the process of creating a technical drawing with the use of computer software. Its use in designing electronic systems is known as electronic design automation ( EDA). The term CADD (for c omputer aided design and drafting) is also used.

CAD output is often in the form of electronic files for print, machining, or other manufacturing operations. Designs made through CAD software are helpful in protecting products and inventions when used in patent applications. This software is used to increase the productivity of the designer, improve the quality of design, improve communications through documentation, and to create a database for manufacturing. Computer-aided design ( CAD) is the use of computers (or workstations) to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design.

Sketching over an image in iron cad