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CAD: Computer Aided Design
For the past five decades technological advances have revolutionized the manufacturing and design industries. One of the most incredible breakthroughs in design was the advent of Computer Aided Design, or CAD.
What Is CAD?
The concept of Computer Aided Design revolves around the use of computers to produce two- or three-dimensional drawings used in the design process for everything from automobiles to interior design. According to Columbia Encyclopedia, the technical definition of CAD is “form of automation that helps designers prepare drawings, specifications, parts lists, and other design-related elements using special graphics- and calculations-intensive computer programs.
The History of CAD
According to the Modern Design Dictionary, CAD was first developed at MIT and used by the United States Air Force in their SAGE air defense system in the 1950’s. In the 1970’s General Motors developed the first Design Automated by Computer (DAC) interactive graphics manufacturing system and by the 1980’s CAD applications were being developed for PC’s. Originally, as with most computers or software programs, the systems and software were astronomically expensive, but in the past decade or so CAD systems and software have become more affordable. Today CAD software is even available to the consumer sector in programs such as those used to digitally design kitchen or bathroom remodels.
CAD Systems and Software Programs
There are a great number of CAD software programs available. A few notable programs are TurboCAD and DesignCAD (both offered by IMSI Design), AutoCAD, CADlogic Draft It, Informatix Piranesi 5.1, just to name a few. Some more consumer-friendly CAD programs, for those who didn’t major in design, are 3D Home Architect and FloorPlan 3D. Used in areas of manufacturing and design including aerospace, automotive, interior design, architecture and many other industries, CAD is bringing the creations of designers to life in 3-D and innovating production and inspection processes. For these reasons CAD is one of the greatest technological breakthroughs of the twentieth century and continues to be essential in many industries today.
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