Computer-aided design

Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of computer software to help create, change, analyse or optimize designs. It is meant to help the designer create better quality, more precise, and neater designs. 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.

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 
AdvantagesDisadvantagesCreates a better designTakes longer to produce the designCreates a more precise designCosts more than doing it by handCreates a neater designNeed 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

References

Category:Software
Category:Design