Computer-aided design

Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of computer software to help create, change, analyse or optimize designs.^[1] It is meant to help the designer create better quality, more precise, and neater designs.^[2] It also helps improve communication of the design by creating documentation for it as well as a database for manufacturing. CAD is used in many places such as architecture and product design.

Cad crank

Designing using CAD can take longer than the traditional way of drawing on paper and costs more because of the software. Also, people often need to be trained to understand CAD.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages	Disadvantages
Creates a better design	Takes longer to produce the design
Creates a more precise design	Costs more than doing it by hand
Creates a neater design	Need to train people to use it

Types

• 3D Wire-frame modeling
• Parametric modeling
• Direct or explicit modeling

Examples where CAD is used

• Architecture
• Product design
• Shop/building design

Related pages

• Computer-aided manufacture (CAM)
• CAD/CAM