(Computer-Aided Design) Using computers to design products. CAD systems are high-speed workstations or desktop computers with CAD software. A graphics tablet is used for drawing, and a scanner may be attached for additional input. The output of a CAD system is either printed or electronically transmitted to a CAM system, which builds the objects (see CAD/CAM).
Generic or Specialized
CAD software is available for generic design or specialized uses, such as architectural, electrical and mechanical. CAD software may also be highly specialized for creating products such as printed circuits and integrated circuits.
Solid and Parametric Modeling
More complex forms of CAD are solid modeling and parametric modeling, which allows objects to be created with real-world characteristics. For example, in solid modeling, objects can be sectioned (sliced down the middle) to reveal their internal structure. In parametric modeling, objects have meaningful relationships with each other (a door must be on a wall, not the floor; holes cannot be drilled too close to the edge, etc.). See wireframe modeling, surface modeling, solid modeling, parametric modeling, graphics and CAE.
From Rivets to Trees
The computer is used not only to create engineering blueprints for every last detail of a project, but it takes the finished object and renders it as a real-world entity. This building was designed in MicroStation Modeler and rendered in MicroStation MasterPiece from Bentley Systems. (Image courtesy of Bentley Systems, Inc. and Cooper Carry.)
Generic or Specialized
CAD software is available for generic design or specialized uses, such as architectural, electrical and mechanical. CAD software may also be highly specialized for creating products such as printed circuits and integrated circuits.
Solid and Parametric Modeling
More complex forms of CAD are solid modeling and parametric modeling, which allows objects to be created with real-world characteristics. For example, in solid modeling, objects can be sectioned (sliced down the middle) to reveal their internal structure. In parametric modeling, objects have meaningful relationships with each other (a door must be on a wall, not the floor; holes cannot be drilled too close to the edge, etc.). See wireframe modeling, surface modeling, solid modeling, parametric modeling, graphics and CAE.
From Rivets to Trees
The computer is used not only to create engineering blueprints for every last detail of a project, but it takes the finished object and renders it as a real-world entity. This building was designed in MicroStation Modeler and rendered in MicroStation MasterPiece from Bentley Systems. (Image courtesy of Bentley Systems, Inc. and Cooper Carry.)
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- AutoTrax EDA 9.70 (Windows)
- AutoTrax is a complete, fully featured electronics-design system that includes schematic capturing, simulation, PCB design, 3D visualization, and CAM. You can take your design from concept via schematic capturing to PCB and final manufacturing. Drag parts from the parts library onto one or more schematic pages, connect them, and add...
- Software downloads 2009-11-24
- Ashampoo 3D CAD Architecture 2.0.0.2 (Windows)
- Design family homes, shopping malls, high-rise buildings or just an apartment within a real 2D/3D environment using all the available tools for planning and visualizing buildings. With its simple usability, exact results and yet reasonable price tag the software clearly stands out of the crowd. Ashampoo 3D CAD Architecture 2...
- Software downloads 2009-11-22
- ISS Foresight 7.5.1.0 (Windows)
- ISS Foresight is a real-time 3D visualization software that makes it easy to create, visualize and present real-time 3D models. With ISS Foresight you don't need to be a 3D expert to create professional 3D models, images and animations. The Future it's NOT about sketches, rendering, CAD or GIS. It's...
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- Easy CAD Viewer 1.03 (Windows)
- Easy CAD Viewer allows you to view and print various AutoCAD drawings on your PC easily and quickly. It also enables you to manage 2D and 3D CAD drawings. Easy CAD Viewer works with AutoCAD DWG, DXF, DWF files of all versions as early as AutoCAD Release 9 and as...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- Easy CAD to Image Converter 1.03 (Windows)
- Easy CAD to Image Converter supports conversion from DWG, DXF, DWF to BMP, JPEG, GIF, TIFF, PNG, and TGA file types. Easy CAD to Image Converter is more than a file format converter, and you can even batch render your DWG, DXF, DWF drawing files to image files of any...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- Easy CAD Solution Suite 1.03 (Windows)
- Convert your CAD drawings to various image and graphics formats without the need for AutoCAD-based products. Review CAD drawings in DWG, DXF, DWF format with a feature-rich viewer. Edit, modify design drawing and its internal objects attributes and properties. Convert between DWG, DXF, DWF, PDF, and various image formats without...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- Easy CAD Converter 1.03 (Windows)
- Easy CAD Converter, previously known as DXF DWG DWF Converter, is capable of converting your CAD drawings from DWG to DXF, from DWG to DWF, from DXF to DWG, from DXF to DWF, from DWF to DXF, from DWF to DWG without the need for AutoCAD-based products. Easy CAD Converter...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- Easy CAD to PDF Converter 1.03 (Windows)
- Easy CAD to PDF Converter features DWG to PDF conversion, DXF to PDF conversion, and DWF to PDF conversion without Autodesk AutoCAD or Adobe Acrobat. You can even batch publish your DWG, DXF, DWF drawing files to PDF files of any size to answer your specific needs, such as to...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- Easy CAD to SVG Converter 1.02 (Windows)
- This CAD2SVG converter allows you to publish your CAD drawings as SVG Scalable Vector Graphics, an open-standard W3C standard for the presentation of compact and high-quality graphics on the web. You can input any DWF, DWG, or DXF drawing, specify the output width and height, scale the line weight, choose...
- Software downloads 2009-11-16
- Live Webcast: High Performance Workstations that Rock for Engineering and Entertainment!
- High performance workstations are important tools of the trade for a growing number of businesses and industries that rely on specialized programs and applications. Nowhere is this more the case perhaps than the two very different worlds of engineering and entertainment. In both industries, the most important factors...
- Webcasts 2009-11-16
- CAD-KAS Screen Recorder 1.0 (Windows)
- Record the screen action and create a mpeg or avi movie of all what happens on your screen. You can also select only a part of your screen to record. The program can record the sound together with the screen action. Select the sound recording device in your windows audio...
- Software downloads 2009-11-13
- EWDraw 3D ActiveX 7.2 (Windows)
- EWDraw 3D ActiveX is a vector graphics ActiveX for 3D and 2D visualization and animation. You can use it for CAD, CAM, and GIS. The EWDraw 3D ActiveX is based on open cascade geometric kernel and openGL. The library is realized as a run-time Windows 32 bit ActiveX control. Either...
- Software downloads 2009-11-12
- Brava Reader 3.3.0.18 (Windows)
- The free Brava Reader views and prints TIFF, PDF, XPS, and JPG files, as well as the secure CSF content sealed format files by Brava Desktop and Enterprise and Net-It publishing products. CSF is a compressed format that encompasses our Visual Rights persistent security, including password protection, onscreen and print...
- Software downloads 2009-11-10
- progeCAD 2009 Smart 9.0.28.8 (Windows)
- AutoCAD functionality for free personal use only. DWG 2009 DXF read and write. Similar icons, commands and interface. IntelliCAD AutoLISP interpreter, temporary point snap like oSnap, layers, blocks. Hatch, block and xref editing. 3D shading and rendering options. Optional approx. 10000 Symbols ALE library. This is the long-awaited free successor...
- Software downloads 2009-11-10
- Domus.Cad 15.0.2 (Mac)
- Domus.Cad is an architectural 3D CAD program. It is a tool for the design and modeling of architecture, interor, landscape, and urban spaces. With Domus.Cad you can immediately begin to create three-dimensional elements without needing to start from a two-dimensional plan. Elements such as walls, floors, roofs, and stairs are...
- Software downloads 2009-11-05
- Walmart unveils 15.6" HP Pavilion G60 laptop for $298
- hmmfor once, i agree with you. why are they still making the celeron...? shouldn't the atom replace that?Intel Celeron?is Inhel still making this 10 year old crap?surplus maybe? ntnti feel 298 is bad for celron processor..but still good option for ppl who r new to these creepy labtops..RE: Walmart unveils...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-04
- Water, water everywhere. So why not use it to create steam?
- Here is a lesson on how little we can put in the blog...and still call it our own. Could you write less and still get paid ???sheshEver heard of Nuclear powered ships? They heat water that flashes into steam and thus turns the turbines.This short article.I think the...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-02
- Maingear unleashes Shift desktop, child-sized 'personal supercomputer' for $2,199 (or $13,394)
- Without demonstrated Linux or OSX support......what's the point? Who does video stuff on Windows?Plenty do.....You just don't get out much. My XP system with cakewalk software did me just fine and that was on a P4 system that couldn't keep itself cool, ever. But my audio quality...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-02
- SharpCam 1.0 (Windows)
- SharpCam is a full-featured standalone CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing) system used to create NC code for CNC machine tools. Features integrated CAD creation tools with powerful context snapping. Toolpath creation by pocketing, profiling and drilling, with on the fly NC code generation. Create and edit post processors with...
- Software downloads 2009-11-01
- VariCAD 2010 1.02 (Windows)
- VariCAD is a 3D/2D CAD system primarily intended for mechanical engineering design. In addition to tools for 3D modeling and 2D drafting and dimensioning, VariCAD provides support for parameters, geometric constraints, tools for shells, pipelines, sheet metal unbending and crash tests, assembly support, libraries of standard mechanical parts (ANSI, DIN),...
- Software downloads 2009-10-28
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