Computer-aided design (CAD), also known as computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) , is the use of computer technology for the process of design and design-documentation. Computer Aided Drafting describes the process of drafting with a computer. CADD software provides the user with input-tools for the purpose of streamlining design processes; drafting, documentation, and manufacturing processes. CADD output is often in the form of electronic files for print or machining operations. CADD software uses either vector based graphics to depict the objects of traditional drafting, or may also produce raster graphics showing the overall appearance of designed objects.

CAD often involve more than just shapes. As in the manual drafting of technical and engineering drawings, the output of CAD must convey information, such as materials, processes, dimensions, and tolerances, according to application-specific conventions.

CAD may be used to design curves and figures in two-dimensional (2D) space; or curves, surfaces, and solids in three-dimensional (3D) space.

CAD is an important industrial art extensively used in many applications, including automotive, shipbuilding, and aerospace industries, industrial and architectural design, prosthetics, and many more. CAD is also widely used to produce computer animation for special effects in movies, advertising and technical manuals. The modern ubiquity and power of computers means that even perfume bottles and shampoo dispensers are designed using techniques unheard of by engineers of the 1960s. Because of its enormous economic importance, CAD has been a major driving force for research in computational geometry, computer graphics (both hardware and software), and discrete differential geometry.

Beginning in the 1980s computer-aided design programs reduced the need of draftsmen significantly, especially in small to mid-sized companies. Their affordability and ability to run on personal computers also allowed engineers to do their own drafting work, eliminating the need for entire departments. In today's world many students in universities do not learn manual drafting techniques because they are not required to do so. The days of hand drawing for final drawings are all but over. Universities no longer require the use of protractors and compasses to create drawings, instead there are several classes that focus on the use of CAD software. However, the ability to sketch and understand the geometry behind drafting is still vital to any CAD operator.

Current computer-aided design software packages range from 2D vector-based drafting systems to 3D solid and surface modelers. Modern CAD packages can also frequently allow rotations in three dimensions, allowing viewing of a designed object from any desired angle, even from the inside looking out. Some CAD software is capable of dynamic mathematical modeling, in which case it may be marketed as CADD — computer-aided design and drafting.

CAD is used in the design of tools and machinery and in the drafting and design of all types of buildings, from small residential types (houses) to the largest commercial and industrial structures (hospitals and factories).

CAD is mainly used for detailed engineering of 3D models and/or 2D shop drawings of physical components, but it is also used throughout the engineering process from conceptual design and layout of products, through strength and dynamic analysis of assemblies to definition of manufacturing methods of components. It can also be used to design objects.

CAD has become an especially important technology within the scope of computer-aided technologies, with benefits such as lower product development costs and a greatly shortened design cycle. CAD enables designers to layout and develop work on screen, print it out and save it for future editing, saving time on their drawings.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tennessee Design Company

2500 Murfreesboro Rd.,

Suite 105, Box 182

Nashville, TN 37217

615-579-0710

email: [email protected]

Copyright © 1991-2022 by Tennessee Design Company™

All rights reserved Worldwide

tennesseedesign

Adams

Adamsville

Alamo

Alcoa

Alexandria

Algood

Allardt

Altamont

Ardmore

Arlington

Ashland City

Athens

Atoka

Atwood

Auburntown

Baileyton

Baneberry

Banner Hill

Bartlett

Baxter

Beersheba Springs

Bell Buckle

Belle Meade

Bells

Benton

Berry Hill

Bethel Springs

Big Sandy

Blaine

Bloomingdale

Blountville

Bluff City

Bolivar

Braden

Bradford

Brentwood

Brighton

Bristol

Brownsville

Bruceton

Bulls Gap

Burlison

Burns

Byrdstown

Calhoun

Camden

Carthage

Caryville

Cedar Hill

Celina

Centertown

Centerville

Central

Chapel Hill

Charleston

Charlotte

Chattanooga

Church Hill

Clarksburg

Clarksville

Cleveland

Clifton

Clinton

Coalmont

Collegedale

Collierville

Collinwood

Colonial Heights

Columbia

Cookeville

Coopertown

Copperhill

Cornersville

Cottage Grove

Covington

Cowan

Crab Orchard

Cross Plains

Crossville

Crump

Cumberland City

Cumberland Gap

Dandridge

Dayton

Decatur

Decaturville

Decherd

Dickson

Dover

Dowelltown

Doyle

Dresden

Ducktown

Dunlap

Dyer

Dyersburg

Eagleton Village

Eagleville

East Brainerd

East Cleveland

East Ridge

Eastview

Elizabethton

Elkton

Englewood

Enville

Erin

Erwin

Estill Springs

Ethridge

Etowah

Fairfield Glade

Fairmount

Fairview

Fall Branch

Farragut

Fayetteville

Finger

Forest Hills

Franklin

Friendship

Friendsville

Gadsden

Gainesboro

Gallatin

Gallaway

Garland

Gates

Gatlinburg

Germantown

Gibson

Gilt Edge

Gleason

Goodlettsville

Gordonsville

Grand Junction

Gray

Graysville

Greenback

Greenbrier

Greeneville

Greenfield

Green Hill

Gruetli-Laager

Guys

Halls

Harriman

Harrison

Harrogate-Shawanee

Hartsville

Helenwood

Henderson

Hendersonville

Henning

Henry

Hickory Valley

Hickory Withe

Hohenwald

Hollow Rock

Hopewell

Hornbeak

Hornsby

Humboldt

Hunter

Huntingdon

Huntland

Huntsville

Iron City

Jacksboro

Jackson

Jamestown

Jasper

Jefferson City

Jellico

Johnson City

Jonesborough

Kenton

Kimball

Kingsport

Kingston

Kingston Springs

Knoxville

Lafayette

La Follette

La Grange

Lake City

Lakeland

Lakesite

Lake Tansi

Lakewood

La Vergne

Lawrenceburg

Lebanon

Lenoir City

Lewisburg

Lexington

Liberty

Linden

Livingston

Lobelville

Lookout Mountain

Loretto

Loudon

Louisville

Luttrell

Lynchburg

Lynnville

McEwen

McKenzie

McLemoresville

McMinnville

Madisonville

Manchester

Martin

Maryville

Mascot

Mason

Maury City

Maynardville

Medina

Medon

Memphis

Michie

Middleton

Middle Valley

Midtown

Midway

Milan

Milledgeville

Millersville

Millington

Minor Hill

Mitchellville

Monteagle

Monterey

Morrison

Morristown

Moscow

Mosheim

Mountain City

Mount Carmel

Mount Juliet

Mount Pleasant

Munford

Murfreesboro

Nashville-Davidson (balance)

Newbern

New Hope

New Johnsonville

New Market

Newport

New Tazewell

Niota

Nolensville

Normandy

Norris

Oakdale

Oak Grove

Oak Hill

Oakland

Oak Ridge

Obion

Oliver Springs

Oneida

Ooltewah

Orlinda

Orme

Palmer

Paris

Parkers Crossroads

Parrottsville

Parsons

Pegram

Petersburg

Philadelphia

Pigeon Forge

Pikeville

Pine Crest

Piperton

Pittman Center

Plainview

Pleasant Hill

Pleasant View

Portland

Powells Crossroads

Pulaski

Puryear

Ramer

Red Bank

Red Boiling Springs

Ridgely

Ridgeside

Ridgetop

Ripley

Rives

Roan Mountain

Rockford

Rockwood

Rogersville

Rossville

Rural Hill

Rutherford

Rutledge

St. Joseph

Saltillo

Samburg

Sardis

Saulsbury

Savannah

Scotts Hill

Selmer

Sevierville

Sewanee

Seymour

Sharon

Shelbyville

Signal Mountain

Silerton

Slayden

Smithville

Smyrna

Sneedville

Soddy-Daisy

Somerville

South Carthage

South Cleveland

South Fulton

South Pittsburg

Sparta

Spencer

Spring City

Springfield

Spring Hill

Spurgeon

Stanton

Stantonville

Sunbright

Surgoinsville

Sweetwater

Tazewell

Tellico Plains

Tennessee Ridge

Thompson's Station

Three Way

Tiptonville

Toone

Townsend

Tracy City

Trenton

Trezevant

Trimble

Troy

Tullahoma

Tusculum

Unicoi

Union City

Vanleer

Viola

Vonore

Walden

Walnut Grove

Walnut Hill

Walterhill

Wartburg

Wartrace

Watauga

Watertown

Waverly

Waynesboro

Westmoreland

White Bluff

White House

White Pine

Whiteville

Whitwell

Wildwood Lake

Williston

Winchester

Winfield

Woodbury

Woodland Mills

Yorkville