Software

CAD System and Its Importance

Everything you need to know about CAD systems.

Updated on

September 15, 2023

What is a CAD system?

A CAD (computer-aided design) system is software used by designers and engineers to create two- or three-dimensional models of products or parts before they are manufactured.

CAD systems are used in a wide range of professions, including architecture, engineering, graphic design, arts, fashion and interior design, game design, drafting, city planning, etc.

A CAD engineer, for example, uses a CAD System to design car parts and other products, while a student uses the software to create 2-D or 3-D models of machine components.

History of CAD System

The history of CAD system dates back to 1957 when American techie Patrick J. Hanratty – ‘the Father of CAD’ – designed the first numerical control programming system.

Six years later in 1963, Ivan E. Sutherland created ‘Sketchpad’, a program that enabled designers to use a light pen to create engineering drawings directly on a cathode-ray tube.

In 1971, Hanratty created ‘ADAM’, which is widely recognized as the first commercially available integrated, interactive graphics design, drafting, and manufacturing system.

About 90% of CAD systems find their roots in ADAM.

The program was gradually upgraded to allow it to run on 16-bit, and later 32-bit computers. ADAM has since been renamed to AD-2000.

Benefits of CAD System

Unlike the traditional technical and manual drafting techniques that are quite inefficient, CAD systems enable users to create 2-D or 3-D models of products and structures.

They enable the creation, modification, and optimization of the design process.

This way, engineers can make more accurate models, which can be modified easily to improve design quality.

Here are some of the key benefits of CAD systems:

They improve design quality with documentation built into the file.
They lower design costs for the designers.
They allow faster project completion due to efficiency in design and workflow processes.
They allow easy modifications of models to improve design quality.
They allow seamless collaboration between members of a project team.

Popular CAD Software / Tools

Numerous CAD tools are available in the market.

Some of these tools are designed for specific uses such as architecture. Other CAD systems are designed to support various industries and project types.

Some of the most popular CAD tools in the market today include AutoCAD (by Autodesk), CorelCAD, MicroStation (by Bentley Systems), SolidWorks, CAD Civil 3D, Catia, and CADTalk.

Others are SkyCiv Structural 3D, IronCAD, CAD Plant 3D, OPenSCAD, Solid Edge, Vectorworks, LibreCAD, Altium Designer, LibreCAD, and Onshape.