Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Software Overview
What is Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Software?
Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of a computer to help create or optimize a design. Therefore, CAD software allows engineers, architects, designers and others to create precision drawings or technical illustrations in 2D or 3D. This category of software can increase productivity, improve quality and maximize organization by creating a documentation database for manufacturing.
CAD software has a host of applications, including the design of manufacturing parts, electronic circuit boards, prototypes for 3D printers, and buildings. Typically, this software uses either traditional vector-based graphics or raster graphics which show how finished objects would actually look.
CAD software can also facilitate the flow from the design process to the manufacturing process. This software can simulate the movement of a part through the manufacturing process in three dimensions. As this software becomes ever better at simulating the manufacturing process, specialized software for designing the manufacturing process and controlling machine tools called Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) has become integrated with CAD as a single platform.
Features & Capabilities
Professional level software packages usually have the following features:
Pricing Information
On average, you will pay around $2,000 for professional level software, but you can find a solution in the range of $200 to $5000. If you don’t need the data management and manufacturing integration, a home/student version can be obtained from $0 to $100.
